Boyer And Others Stress Importance Of Protecting GA Airports

The Friday morning General Session at AOPA Expo 2007 focused on protecting general aviation airports around the nation. AOPA president Phil Boyer kicked off the session with examples of how GA has suffered from airport closures, along with success stories about several airports that have been saved were presented.

Boyer recognized the significance of the Airport Support Network. The ASN is celebrating 10 years of promoting, protecting and defending airports throughout the nation.

"I am overwhelmed by the passion and enthusiasm that our volunteers bring to saving and preserving their local airports," said ASN Director Stacy Swigart. "With nearly 2,000 volunteers in all 50 states, the ASN program brings a local face to the fight, but with the backing of a national organization behind them."

According to Boyer (shown below), there are currently just over 5,000 GA airports in the United States. While this number is down from years past, the rate of closure has slowed considerably in recent years.

Meigs Field is the poster child in the fight against airport closures. Unfortunately, it proves that if a successful and vibrant airport adjacent to a major city can fall victim to the bulldozer, then any airport, anywhere is at risk. Legislation is now in place that prevents such a closure from happening without public notification, and a 3 million dollar fine was levied against the mayor and city of Chicago for the Meigs closure.

On the other side of the airport fence is Albert Whitted airport in St. Petersburg, FL. A few years ago, Whitted was targeted for closure, with the end goal of turning the airport into a waterfront park. Unlike the Meigs scenario, the issue was placed on the ballot for the citizens to decide.

AOPA launched a vigorous campaign, targeted specifically to the voter demographics of the area. The effort was successful, and an overwhelming 78% of local voters voiced their choice to keep the airport open. With that said, officials changed their approach... and instead of closing the field, a new terminal building complete with offices and a restaurant was built. Improvements have also been made or planned for runways and taxiways, and a slew of other enhancements.

Also mentioned was the successful fight in San Diego against a proposed three building office park in San Diego which would have impacted instrument approach minimums. Upon completion of the first building, the FAA declared it a hazard. The city looked to AOPA for assistance. Eventually, an agreement was reached to lower the building by two floors, and the developer withdrew their permits for the remaining buildings.

The plight of privately owned, public uses airports was next on the agenda. In most cases, private airports do not have the resources of their publicly owned counterparts. They lack funding from federal, state and local governments. Boyer presented an award to the Connecticut legislature for their work towards preserving privately owned airports in the state. House Bill 5536 addresses the increasing pressures that privately owned public-use airports face from development. It would give the state first refusal rights on purchasing a private airport threatened with sale or closure. The bill would make possible state funding to private airports, create a new airport zoning category, transfer control of airport development to the state, and allow the commissioner of transportation to acquire the development rights of private-turned-public airports.

In a brief panel discussion -- moderated by Andy Cebula, AOPA's executive vice president of government affairs -- Shelly deZevallos spoke of the challenges of operating a privately owned airport. She said issues of property taxes, insurance, infrastructure improvements and competing against publicly owned and operated facilities are all issues.

"Be aware if private airports need your help, and be involved in the process," deZevallos said. "Keep up on any issues that might crop up, and educate the public about the benefits of the airport."

deZevllos -- along with fellow panelists Bob Showalter of Showalter Flying Service and Woodie Woodward, retired Assistant Administrator for Airports at the FAA -- agreed that community involvement is critical in saving airports.

"Educate the community before it becomes an issue. Don't wait until a developer is knocking on the door" said Woodward. Showalter agreed, and suggested getting local Chambers of Commerce involved, stressing that decision makers often fly corporate aircraft, bypassing airline terminals in favor of smaller airports.

Boyer closed the session with a reminder: "A mile of highway gets you one mile. A mile of runway gets you anywhere."

FMI: www.aopa.org