Airport Master Plan Update
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DARE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Airport Master Plan Update SECTION 2 – AIRPORT INVENTORY 2.0 INTRODUCTION The inventory is a systematic data collection that provides an understanding of past and present aviation factors and community trends. A comprehensive inventory forms the basis for airport recommendations throughout the Dare County Regional Airport Master Plan Update (AMP). An on-site inspection was conducted by the consultant in January 2005 to note the physical condition of key airport facilities, equipment and services, confirm on-and off-airport land uses, interview key County/Airport constituents, and review Airport activity logs and records. 2.1 MQI AIRPORT LOCATION Exhibit 2-1 depicts the Airport’s location and vicinity. Dare County is located in northeastern North Carolina, on the outer banks of the Atlantic coastline. EXHIBIT 2-1 AIRPORT VICINITY & LOCATION MAP SECTION 2 INVENTORY J:\2301 (Dare)\0402 AMP Update\Report\2301-0402 AMP Section 2 - Inventory (Final).doc Page 2-1 DARE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Airport Master Plan Update The Airport is situated in the northeastern portion of the County on Roanoke Island. The Town of Manteo is the Airport’s associated city, located 1 mile southeast of the Airport. 2.2 MQI AIRPORT ROLE The Dare County Regional Airport is identified by the FAA National Plan of Integrated Airspace Systems (NPIAS) as a General Aviation (GA) facility designated 16894A. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) 2004 North Carolina Airport Development Plan (NCADP) lists the Airport as a “red-code” facility. The current Airport Layout Plan (ALP) drawing notes the Airport has an FAA Airport Reference Code (ARC) of B-II. 2.3 MQI SUMMARY OF AIRPORT ACTIVITY (2004-2005) As of November, 2004, there are 62 based aircraft at the Airport, including 49 single-engine, 12 multi-engine, and 1 turbine helicopter. The Airport experiences approximately 46,000 civilian aircraft operations (takeoffs and landings) and an additional 700 military operations per year. 2.4 MQI AIRPORT OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE The Dare County Regional Airport is a publicly-owned and operated facility governed by the Dare County Airport Authority. The following briefly describes the current Airport ownership and management structure: Dare County: Dare County is the Airport Sponsor, participating with the oversight of Airport developments and providing financial support for Airport operations and capital improvements, at the discretion of the County Board of Commissioners. The Airport staff is employed by the County and the Airport is managed as an administrative unit within the County. Airport Authority: The Dare County Regional Airport Authority is the governing entity responsible for operating, maintaining and improving Airport facilities in accordance with NCDOT, Division of Aviation and FAA grant assurance agreements. Airport Management/Operations: A full-time airport manager and supporting staff are employed by Dare County to oversee the day-to-day administrative operations of the Airport. The Airport Director serves at the discretion of the Airport Authority, and has the responsibility to provide FBO-related line services to pilots, patrons and the general public, and administer the maintenance and upkeep of Airport facilities and equipment in a safe manner. SECTION 2 INVENTORY J:\2301 (Dare)\0402 AMP Update\Report\2301-0402 AMP Section 2 - Inventory (Final).doc Page 2-2 DARE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Airport Master Plan Update 2.5 FIXED BASE OPERATOR / SPECIAL AVIATION SERVICE ORGANIZATION The Airport Authority serves as the primary full-service Fixed Base Operator (FBO), managing and providing the following services: x Aircraft Fueling (Jet-A and 100LL) x Aircraft Ramp Parking & Tie-Down x Pilot & Passenger Equipment Dillon’s Aviation (since replaced by Barrier Island Aviation, Ltd.) is a special aviation service organization (SASO) offering the following services: x Aircraft charter x Flight training x Recreational flights x Aircraft maintenance and repair Aerial advertising and banner towing are provided by multiple based New SASO Common Hangar operators, both on a permanent and seasonal basis. Multiple car rental companies offer service at the Airport. At present, none of the rental car companies occupy terminal building space or have personnel located at the Airport. 2.6 MQI AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT HISTORY / PLANNING STUDIES The Dare County Regional Airport was initially constructed as a U.S. Navy training facility during World War II; originally constructed in 1941 with a three-runway system and subsequent improvements through 1945. After World War II, the airfield was declared “surplus” and the facility transferred to Dare County on August 11, 1947. The Instrument of Transfer requires Dare County to operate and maintain the facility for public airport purposes, and only such purposes. The Airport was managed by the Dare County Board of Commissioners from 1947 until 1971, with assistance from various business constituents. In 1971, the State Legislature approved the establishment of the Dare County Regional Airport Authority. In response to the needs of a full-service Fixed-Base Operator (FBO), the Airport Authority assumed direct management and supervision of FBO-related services in 1983. During this time, the Airport Authority hired a full-time manager to oversee the planning and coordination of Airport facilities and FBO-related services. This arrangement is currently in effect. SECTION 2 INVENTORY J:\2301 (Dare)\0402 AMP Update\Report\2301-0402 AMP Section 2 - Inventory (Final).doc Page 2-3 DARE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Airport Master Plan Update The initial Dare County Regional Airport Master Plan was completed in 1980. Subsequent planning studies include the: x 1989 Airport Master Plan/ALP Update x 2003 Airport Terminal Area Study The Appendix contains a detailed chronology of Airport developments accomplished with federal and state grant assistance since 1992. As reported by NCDOA, funding for Airport projects during this period totaled nearly $9.9 million. 2.7 MQI AIRFIELD FACILITIES AND CONDITION Exhibit 2-2 depicts the Airport’s runway and taxiway configuration. Runway 5-23 is the ‘primary’ runway and Runway 17-35 the ‘crosswind’, intersecting near the midfield. A full-length parallel taxiway serves the west side of Runway 5-23, and a modified partial-parallel taxiway system for Runway 17-35. The Airport has two separate terminal areas, including the primary public-use terminal core located on the northwest (westside) of the field, and more proprietary terminal facilities located on the southeast (eastside) of the field. EXHIBIT 2-2 AIRPORT LAYOUT & FACILITY DEPICTION Airfield Layout / Source: NCDOT, 2005 Airport Facility Directory Runway Configuration SECTION 2 INVENTORY J:\2301 (Dare)\0402 AMP Update\Report\2301-0402 AMP Section 2 - Inventory (Final).doc Page 2-4 DARE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Airport Master Plan Update The Airport property totals ±488 acres (Dare County GIS Tax Assessment Data), including Authority and County interests. The FAA-published Airport elevation is 14’ mean sea level (surveyed) with an Airport Reference Point coordinate of 35°55’08.360”N/ 75°41’43.940”W (NAD83). The magnetic variation is 10q43’W. Throughout the inventory, a condition rating is assigned to facilities in order to gauge the magnitude of future maintenance/repair obligations, primarily for facility requirement and cost purposes. The condition rating is: Good Physically, functionally and economically secure, requiring only minor maintenance upkeep or repair during the planning period. Fair Physical deterioration evident, requiring moderate maintenance repairs or rehabilitation during the intermediate to long-term planning period. Poor Major structural deterioration or economically deficient (obsolete), requiring reconstruction or replacement within the immediate planning future. 2.7.1 MQI PAVEMENT CONDITION INDEX (PCI) The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) prepared a Pavement Condition Index Report for Dare County Regional Airport in February, 2005 based on a site analysis conducted in November, 2004. The following is a summary of average pavement conditions broken-down for the runway, taxiway and apron surfaces; totaling 38.6 acres of pavement. On average, the overall score for MQI pavements is 67 out of 100 points, a “Fair” rating; which indicates that the airfield pavement currently requires ‘preventative maintenance’. Dare County PCI Report Section Average Rating Runway Surfaces (677,800 SF: 15.6 Acres) 82 out of 100 (Good) Taxiway Surfaces (479,000 SF: 11.0 Acres) 65 out of 100 (Fair) Apron Surfaces (441,300 SF: 10.1 Acres) 59 out of 100 (Fair) Taxilane Surfaces (84,600 SF: 1.9 Acres) 40 out of 100 (Poor) Average Total (1.682,600 SF: 38.6 Acres) 67 out of 100 (Fair) NCDOT, Division of Aviation PCI Thresholds: 75 Points and Greater – No Action Necessary 55 to 75 Points – Preventative Maintenance Needed 55 Points and Lower – Repair / Rehabilitation SECTION 2 INVENTORY J:\2301 (Dare)\0402 AMP Update\Report\2301-0402 AMP Section 2 - Inventory (Final).doc Page 2-5 DARE COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT Airport Master Plan Update EXHIBIT 2-3 AIRPORT PAVEMENT CONDITION (2004) 2.7.2 MQI AIRFIELD SYSTEM Table 2-1 describes the major airfield facilities and equipment along with a corresponding assessment of physical condition based on a January, 2005 site investigation by the consultant. Although constructed as displacements, all four runway ends have displaced thresholds, with nearly 25% of runway