Wed, Sep 14, 2011
TTF Fees Jump 900%, Runway Access Blocked By Tractor
What's it worth to have access to a municipal airport runway for
tenants of your private hangar? There appears to be a considerable
difference of opinion on that question between a private hangar
business called the Taildragger Inn, and the landlord, the town
council which administers the Hammonton Airport in New Jersey. A
dramatic escalation in the gate fee has the hangar owner balking,
so on September 3, the town blocked his runway access with a parked
tractor.
The Press of Atlantic City reports the tenants say the
city charged $100 per month for runway access going back to at
least 1992, but is now suddenly demanding $1,000 a month. The city
also got the FAA to close the aerobatic practice box over the
airport on August 22, following a mid-air collision which produced
one fatality.
Airport officials tell The Press the stunt pilots who use the
aerobatic box have become a liability as the facility grows and
tries to attract commercial flights. Joseph Flood, who operates an
airplane restoration shop housed in the Taildragger Inn, is puzzled
by that claim, noting the number of aircraft based at the airport
has dropped from 50 to 14 over the last decade.
Barry Straga, who owns the private hangar, says he's confident
the problems can be ironed out in the next week. Flood certainly
hopes so. He says of the blockage by the tractor, "I’m out of
business. How can I operate if I can’t get airplanes in and
out?"
More News
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]
Aero Linx: Pararescue Air Force Pararescuemen, also known as PJs, are the only DoD elite combat forces specifically organized, trained, equipped, and postured to conduct full spect>[...]