South Lakeland Airport Central Florida

News from the Florida Department of Transportation Aviation Office Florida Flyer www.dot.state.fl.us/aviation Fall 2009

INSIDE

2 Welcome Aaron Smith, New Aviation Office Manager 2 Aviation News on the Internet Courtesy of Hernando County Airport The Airport Administration Building at Hernando County Airport. 3 General Aviation Hernando County Airport Manufacturers Association ernando County Airport, a general River, Withlacoochee State Forest, and Haviation facility in Brooksville, the Nature Coast Botanical Gardens in 4 serves the residents of Hernando County Spring Hill. and the northern Tampa Bay area in west South Lakeland Airport central Florida. The airport occupies WWII training facility 2,400 acres located just 30 miles north The airport began as a training fa- of downtown Tampa, and it is close to cility built by the Department of War at 5 hotels, restaurants, and entertainment. the start of World War II. The airport From airport property, travelers can eas- construction project included runways, 2009 Florida Aviation ily reach other parts of central Florida taxiways, aprons, roads, utility sys- Awards by way of I-75, U.S. 41, U.S. 19, and the tems, and approximately 150 buildings SunCoast Parkway. and structures. Named the Brooksville Visitors travel to the area for a num- Army Air Field, it was used as an auxil- 7 ber of reasons, including outdoor activi- iary airfield of MacDill Field and Drew ties such as boating, fishing, hiking, and Field, both in nearby Hillsborough Aircraft and Florida’s golfing. Bordered by the Gulf of Mexico County, for training pilots and ground Sales and Use Tax to the west and forests to the north, Her- crews during the war. nando County is known for Weeki Wa- chee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee See Hernando County, page 6 Welcome Aaron Smith, New Aviation Office Manager

In July, Florida Department of Trans- Aaron has served with the Depart- portation Secretary Stephanie Kopelou- ment since 1998. He previously served sos announced the appointment of Aar- as Aviation Development Administra- on N. Smith as Manager of the Aviation tor, Airspace and Land Use Manager, Office. Here is the Secretary’s letter of and as Airport Inspection and Safety announcement: Manager. He also served as an Aviation Specialist in our District 4 office. As t is with great pleasure I announce Aviation Development Administrator, Ithe appointment of Aaron N. Smith as he was responsible for statewide avia- Manager of the Aviation Office. Aaron tion planning, implementing state avia- will take over the reins on August 1, tion policy, and administration of the 2009 with his debut at the Florida Air- state airport grant program. ports Annual Conference. Prior to joining the Department, Aaron N. Smith The Aviation Office Manager is Aaron served five years at Palwaukee Aviation Office Manager responsible for the development and Municipal Airport, now called Chica- management of the Department’s avia- go Executive Airport. While working tion program and related functions. at Chicago Executive, he served as the Major functional areas include state- Airport Operations and Maintenance wide aviation program funding policy Supervisor. implementation and funding allocation He graduated with an Aviation Ad- for the seven districts, statewide systems ministration degree from Lewis Univer- planning, airport development work sity, Romeoville, Illinois, and holds a program coordination and liaison, and commercial pilot certificate with multi- certain aviation safety related regula- engine and instrument ratings. tory responsibilities. Please join me in welcoming Aaron to his new role. u

Aviation News on the Internet

elow we have summarized three criminate by race and religion, security Green hangars Baviation-related articles that you experts say behavioral profiling is more Hangar 25, the new 60,000-square- can read in detail on the Internet: fair, more effective and less expensive.” foot structure at Bob Hope Airport in To read the entire article, see “Be- Burbank, California, is possibly the Airport screening havioral screening – the future of air- industry’s only solar-powered airport Airport security technology is port security?” at www.cnn.com/2008/ hangar. “Its rooftop photovoltaic pan- changing. “Security experts say focus TECH/12/02/airport.security. els provide enough juice to operate the is shifting from analyzing the content building’s lights and to recharge elec- Clinic in an airport of carry-ons to analyzing the content of tric-powered ground equipment such as passengers’ intentions and emotions. . . . A new clinic opened at Orlando In- forklifts and tow vehicles. The array can Several Israeli-based technology com- ternational Airport in December 2008. also keep an airplane’s electrical system panies are developing detection systems The 1,100-square-foot walk-in clinic is humming inside the hangar while me- that pick up signs of emotional strain, a the first of its kind located within an chanics perform their chores.” psychological red flag that a passenger airport in Florida. It offers services to To learn more, see “Burbank air- may intend to commit an act of terror. travelers, tourists, and airport staff for a port’s solar-powered hangar to be un- Speedier and less intrusive than metal wide range of healthcare needs. veiled” from the Los Angeles Times, detectors, these systems may eventu- To learn more about the clinic, see http://articles.latimes.com/2008/ ally restore some efficiency to the air- www.wesh.com/health/18266334/de- dec/09/business. u plane boarding process. . . . Although tail.html. traditional security profiling can dis-

FLORIDA FLYER 2 Fall 2009 General Aviation Manufacturers Association

he General Aviation Manufacturers interests of its members to government TAssociation (GAMA) represents 67 agencies throughout the world. These Historical Highlights of the world’s leading manufacturers of interests include legislation, safety regu- fixed-wing general aviation airplanes, lations and standards, market access, A few highlights from GAMA’s engines, avionics, and components. In development of aviation infrastructure, lengthy list of accomplishments: addition to building nearly all of the and aviation security. general aviation airplanes flying today, GAMA also works with the Inter- • Fighting for the passage of the GAMA member companies also oper- national Civil Aviation Organization Airport and Airway Develop- ate aircraft fleets, airport fixed-base (ICAO) process on behalf of its mem- ment Act of 1970 which estab- operations, pilot and technician train- bers and works with national and inter- lished a trust fund to assure the ing centers, and maintenance facilities national industry groups to promote the orderly expansion of our national worldwide. interests of general aviation worldwide. aviation system. From its start in 1970, GAMA has • Launching “Safe Pilot Program” been devoted to one purpose: to fos- Members in Florida in 1972, a nationwide campaign ter and advance the general welfare, Many general aviation suppliers to improve aviation safety. safety, interests, and activities of gen- and facilities in Florida are GAMA • Working with other aviation as- eral aviation. GAMA promotes a better members. Several GAMA members have sociations to coordinate the gen- understanding of general aviation and headquarters or North American offices eral aviation industry’s response the important role it plays in economic in Florida, including B/E Aerospace in to the national relief effort after growth and in serving the transportation Miami, Embraer in Melbourne, Piaggio 9/11. GAMA and others helped needs of communities, companies, and in West Palm Beach, Piper Aircraft in to reopen airspace to general individuals worldwide. Vero Beach, and DAHER-SOCATA in aviation operators in a manner Pembroke Pines. consistent with national security. Headquarters To learn more about the General With headquarters in Washington, Aviation Manufacturers Association, • Endorsing the four-year FAA bill D.C., and a European office in Brus- see the organization’s web site at www. known as the Century of Avia- sels, Belgium, GAMA represents the gama.aero. u tion Reauthorization Act which passed in November 2003. The bill contained several important provisions for general aviation.

On the Internet

At www.gama.aero you’ll find: • General aviation facts (aircraft, pilots, airports, flight activity, economic impact); • Advocacy (includes GAMA’s positions on issues that affect the general aviation industry); • A list of aviation events; • A media center with press Courtesy of GAMA releases, industry facts and sta- Above: Pete Bunce (left), tistics, testimony and speeches, GAMA’s President and CEO, and profiles of manufacturers; being interviewed at AirVen- • GAMA’s publications includ- ture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. ing the annual General Aviation Right: Mark Van Tine, GAMA’s Statistical Databook and Indus- Chairman, speaks at GAMA’s trial Outlook, GAMA industry annual press conference in standards, and other documents. February.

FLORIDA FLYER 3 Fall 2009 South Lakeland Airport

or Jay and Terri Kurtz, owners of FSouth Lakeland Airport (X49), one of the busiest times of the year begins a few weeks before Sun ’n Fun. Every year for the last ten years or so, South Lakeland Airport has supported Sun ’n Fun by providing an uncongested place for demonstration flights as well as transportation to Sun ’n Fun for visitors who fly in to South Lakeland. One of the advantages of flying in and out of South Lakeland Airport during Sun ’n Fun is that visitors can come and go during air shows, if needed, in- stead of waiting until a show is over. South Lakeland Airport is just four-and- a-half miles away from the Sun ’n Fun complex at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.

Preparing for Sun ’n Fun Photograph by Tiffany Tosti Jay and Terri begin cleaning up The 2008 reception held by Sun ’n Fun founders Billy and Adair Henderson for Paul the airport grounds and handling other and Audrey Poberezny, founders of EAA and AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. From preparations approximately a month left to right: Audrey and Paul Poberezny, Terri and Jay Kurtz and granddaughter before Sun ’n Fun. Once Sun ’n Fun Sierra, Billy and Adair Henderson. begins, Jay remains full time at South Lakeland Airport to assist manufacturers and visitors, while Terri serves as ciation (EAA) chapters, manufacturers, annual seminar is scheduled for Janu- the Headquarters Chairman for Para- vendors, and their customers. For the ary 2, 2010. dise City, the light plane/ultralight area past three years the airport has hosted “We have a very active EAA chap- of Sun ’n Fun with its own 1,300-foot receptions held by Billy and Adair Hen- ter on the field,” says Jay. This chapter runway (8/26). derson (the founders of Sun ’n Fun) for is an expansion of the ultralight chapter Manufacturers with displays at Sun Paul and Audrey Poberezny (the found- originally organized at South Lakeland. ’n Fun, including general aviation, light ers of EAA and AirVenture in Oshkosh, On the last Saturday of every month the sport, and ultralight aircraft, set up dem- Wisconsin). Legend Cub and CubCraft- EAA chapter hosts a pancake breakfast onstration sites and offer demonstration ers events are among the other special followed by the monthly meeting. Each flights at South Lakeland. Some manu- activities located at South Lakeland Air- meeting includes project status reports facturers keep a plane in their booth port during the week of Sun ’n Fun. from the members and a program that at Sun ’n Fun and send interested cus- might include a guest speaker, a safety tomers to South Lakeland for the demo Volunteer work presentation, a hands-on aircraft build- flights. Others fly the aircraft in their Throughout the year Jay and Terri ing technique, and/or a discussion about booth to South Lakeland before the air volunteer at the FAA Production Studios something happening at the airport. On show begins and return to Sun ’n Fun at the FAA Safety Team National Re- the Saturday before the Superbowl, the when the show is over. “All of our ex- source Center on the Sun ’n Fun grounds EAA chapter holds a fly-in, cook-out, hibitors must have a booth at Sun ’n Fun in Lakeland. Terri works there year- and peanut boil. The next one is sched- to demo here,” says Jay. round in administration and serves as an uled for February 6, 2010. Every day during Sun ’n Fun, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) Lead Shriners set up a mobile kitchen and Representative. Jay, too, is a FAASTeam More about South Lakeland sell food at South Lakeland Airport. On Representative. Together, Jay and Terri South Lakeland Airport has long- some evenings, the airport has special chair the annual Sport Aviation Seminar events for Experimental Aircraft Asso- at the FAA Production Studios; the 18th See South Lakeland, page 8

FLORIDA FLYER 4 Fall 2009 2009 Florida Aviation Awards Aaron Smith, State Aviation Manager, announced the winners of the 2009 Florida Aviation Awards at the Florida Airports Council Conference in August.

Aviation Professional Robert M. Ball Robert M. Ball, A.A.E., Executive Director of Lee County Port Authority, directs the operations of Southwest Flor- ida International Airport and Page Field General Aviation Airport. He is responsible for the unprecedented success of the airports and is committed to working with other community partners. Bob Ball initiated a plan to revital- ize Page Field and make it prosperous again. The plan included adding hangar facilities, repaving runways and parking Clockwise from top left: Aviation Professional: Bob Ball; GA Airport Project: Nick aprons, adding airfield guidance signage, Nesta of CDM, Martin County Airport Manager Michael Moon, Aaron Smith, Lisa upgrading airfield lighting, leasing the Waters of Hanson Professional Services, Ted Baldwin of HMMH; GA Airport: Albert vacated airline terminal building, and Whitted Airport Manager Richard Lesniak; Commercial Service Airport Project: Mil developing non-aeronautical revenues. Reisert of URS Corp.; Aaron Smith; Peter Horton, Director of Airports, Key West Int’l; Bob has had many leadership roles Jim Ault, Morganti Group. Not pictured: Commercial Service Airport Miami Int’l. including his recent appointment to represent the FAC on the Strategic Inter- in the face of adversity. Miami-Dade We congratulate Airport Manag- modal System leadership committee. Aviation Department (MDAD) turned er Michael Moon, the staff of Martin around its troubled Capital Improvement County Airport; the airport Noise Advi- General Aviation Airport Program, addressing decreased traffic sory Committee; CDM; Fair Wind Air Albert Whitted Airport while also increasing customer service Charter; Hanson Professional Services; Albert Whitted has a rich history and bringing hundreds of thousands of and Harris Miller of Miller & Hanson. dating back to its construction in 1917. new terminal square footage on line. As early as the 1960s, however, the Staff members of Miami Interna- Commercial Service Airport community began questioning the use tional Airport demonstrate exceptional Project of airport property. By 2002 there was skills and represent a significant contri- Key West International Airport a significant move to close the airport, bution to airport development, sustain- McCoy Terminal Complex but the citizens overwhelmingly voted ability, efficiency, capacity, and safety. The terminal complex project em- to keep the airport operational. We congratulate Airport Manager ployed Construction Management At Support from airport users, citizens, José Abreu and the staff of MDAD. Risk, enabling a team approach that was and AOPA, along with city leadership, not possible under any other method. transformed Albert Whitted to a first- GA Airport Project New terminal enhancements in- class general aviation airport. It embod- Noise Abatement Departure clude improved traffic flow, improve- ies the spirit of a community airport. Profile Demonstration Project ment to the passenger security screen- We congratulate Richard Lesniak, Martin County and the project team ing process, and a significant reduction Airport Manager, and the staff of Albert demonstrated exceptional skills and sen- in passenger boarding delays. Whitted Airport, the city of St. Peters- sitivity to concerns of the community in The associated parking deck is now burg, and the citizens of St. Petersburg. conducting the demonstration project. used for Monroe County’s emergency The project has increased efficiency response equipment and critical items to Commercial Service Airport of the airport’s noise abatement program protect them from storm surge. Miami International Airport and the safety of aircraft operations, We congratulate Peter Horton and Miami International Airport met the and it has significantly contributed to the staff of Key West International Air- challenges of the past year and excelled the well-being of the communities sur- port and Monroe County, URS Corpo- rounding the airport. ration, and the Morganti Group Inc. u

FLORIDA FLYER 5 Fall 2009 Hernando County Airport from page 1

The site remained an active training facility from November 1942 until late 1945. The War Assets Adminis- tration then sold or removed most of the improvements for off-site use, and conveyed the acreage and remaining improvements to the city of Brooksville between 1946 and 1948. Shortly there- after, the city of Brooksville transferred the property to Hernando County. The airport has grown from a small field to a modern general aviation facility with three industrial parks and con- Photographs courtesy of Hernando County Airport sistent growth in its traffic rate. Nearly Above: FBO American Aviation; 100 businesses are located on the air- Right: Aerial view of Hernando County port, employing approximately 2,170 Airport. workers in more than two million square feet of buildings. The airport’s vision is to provide a first-class airport facility local community input to the airport two to four acres in size, while the 250- commensurate with Hernando County’s and its staff. Aviation authority mem- acre Corporate AirPark has ready-to- growth. bers serve four-year terms. build sites available for lease from two to fifty acres in size. Both parks offer Recreation and flight training Airport projects simplified and expedited permitting. Hernando County Airport focuses The airport has qualified to par- The Airport RailPark is located on on recreational activity and accommo- ticipate in the Federal Contract Tower the southeastern edge of the airport next dates flight training activity. American Program and should have an operational to the Southwest Florida Water Man- Aviation, a fixed-base operator, pro- airport traffic control tower within the agement District Headquarters. The rail vides flight training on airport property. next two years. park offers rail-side lots with access to Several other local companies use the CMI Acquisition, LLC, recently track side unloading. airport’s aviation facilities, including built an 11,250-square-foot corporate For more information about Her- Hernando Jet Center, Jet ICU, CMI, office and adjacent corporate hangar. nando County Airport, including leas- and Duratek. Brooksville Air Center, a Micro Matic USA built a 55,000-square- ing information and details about the in- second fixed-base operator, is currently foot corporate office, and Neubert Aero dustrial parks, see the airport’s web site, under construction and should be opera- is under design and permitting for a new www.co.hernando.fl.us/airport. u tional in November 2009. facility. Within the last year the air- The airport is also the home of the port completed more than two miles of Florida National Guard 3rd Battalion new roads, and Kohl’s department store Points of Interest 20th Special Forces Charlie Company, opened on airport property. and the Florida Army National Guard • 184 aircraft are currently based 171st Aviation Battalion which has nine Industrial parks at Hernando County Airport. Black Hawk helicopters and two C-23 The airport’s industrial parks offer • Approximately 82,000 opera- aircraft based at the airport. businesses a convenient and cost-effec- tions are conducted annually. tive location approximately 35 minutes With two runways, one 5,000 feet • The largest plane that uses the north of Tampa Bay. The Airport In- and one 7,000 feet, the airport can eas- airport regularly is the Gulf- dustrial Park, the Corporate AirPark, ily accommodate private and commer- stream III. cial aircraft. Jet A and Avgas fuels are and the Airport RailPark are emerging available as well as T-hangars, ample players in Florida’s High Tech Corridor, • Every February the Southeast tie-downs, and aviation related services. a 23-county area dedicated to attract- Area Family Motor Coach The Hernando County Board of ing, growing, and retaining high-tech Association, Inc., sponsors a County Commissioners regulates the industry. Motorcoach Rally at the airport, airport and appoints a seven-member The 155-acre Airport Industrial providing entertainment and a advisory aviation authority to provide Park offers building sites for lease from boost to the local economy.

FLORIDA FLYER 6 Fall 2009 Aircraft and Florida’s Sales and Use Tax by Robert Babin

eople who own and use aircraft significant, the tax implications can also make informed decisions. This article Pplay an important part in Florida’s be significant. contains answers to some common ques- economy. Florida’s tourism industry Out-of-state aircraft owners have tions that arise concerning the taxation benefits when people visit Florida us- legitimate questions and concerns about of aircraft used in Florida (see “Answers ing their aircraft. This includes fly-ins incurring Florida’s use tax when they fly to Common Questions,” below). and other events that attract pilots and their aircraft into Florida. The applica- Many aircraft owners and organi- aircraft enthusiasts. Further, Florida is tion of Florida’s law in this area is often zations are working with Florida leg- often a destination for conventions and fact specific, and, unfortunately, there is islators to develop a “bright line” time other business-related activities where no clearly defined standard, or “bright frame that aircraft can remain in the people use their aircraft to visit Florida. line,” for owners to use to determine state without incurring use tax. Until Florida’s sales and use tax is a sig- when they will become subject to the then, the Department of Revenue must nificant part of Florida’s overall tax use tax. continue to rely on Florida’s general system. Like any other item, using an In an effort to provide guidance to use tax law, as interpreted by Florida’s aircraft in Florida has potential sales aircraft owners, the Florida Department courts. and use tax implications for the aircraft of Revenue strives to provide as much For further information, please con- owner. Since the cost of an aircraft is information as possible so owners can tact the Department of Revenue’s aircraft information unit at (850) 922‑0668. u Answers to Common Questions Robert Babin is Director of Legislative Services for the Florida Department of Q: I live outside Florida, have never had my aircraft in Florida, do not own Revenue. property in Florida, and have no other connections to the state. If I use my aircraft to come to Florida for a vacation, am I subject to use tax? A: Generally no. No specific statute or court decision has ever imposed Flori- da’s use tax on an aircraft owner who has no significant connections to the state, Calendar did not purchase the aircraft in Florida, and is merely using his or her aircraft to Please contact event organizers be- travel to Florida for recreational purposes. fore attending in case of cancella- tion due to weather or other factors. Q: I have owned my aircraft for several years and have never used my aircraft in Florida. How does the use tax apply if I fly into Florida? November 5–7, 2009 A: Under those specific circumstances, use tax would not apply. Florida law AOPA Aviation Summit, Tampa presumes that items (including aircraft) purchased and used outside of Florida Convention Center; aircraft on for six months prior to being brought into the state were not purchased for use display at Peter O. Knight Airport in Florida, and therefore are not subject to Florida’s use tax.* (TPF); for more information, see www.aopa.org/summit. Q: Does the Department of Revenue attend fly-ins specifically to enforce Florida’s use tax? November 7, 2009 A: No. The Department of Revenue does not attend fly-ins or conduct ramp Airport Day/Open House at St. checks as part of its use tax enforcement program. The focus of the department’s Lucie County International Airport. use tax enforcement activities is on aircraft whose owners have a significant Event benefits CASTLE child abuse connection to Florida (such as Florida residency, ownership of Florida real es- services. For more information, tate, being an officer in a Florida corporation, etc.). contact Joe Arbeit at (772) 462-1789 Q: Does Florida’s use tax depend upon the type of entity that owns a par- or [email protected]. ticular aircraft (that is, individuals, corporations, businesses, partnerships, April 13–18, 2010 or other legal entities)? Sun ’n Fun Fly-In, Lakeland Linder A: No. The form of ownership is not the determining factor in the imposition of Regional Airport; for more informa- use tax. Rather, the nature and extent of contact with Florida are the determin- tion call Sun ’n Fun at (863) 644- ing factors. 2431 or see www.sun-n-fun.org.

*Different rules may apply to aircraft purchased and/or used outside of the For information about CFASPP, United States. see www.cfaspp.com.

FLORIDA FLYER 7 Fall 2009 South Lakeland Airport, from page 4 term and short-term T-hangar rent- als available. It is the home of South Lakeland Sport Aviation, a dealer for RANS Aircraft and Legend Cub, offer- ing new and pre-owned aircraft sales, flight instruction, and builder support. Jay, who built the first RV-9 and RV-9A Light Sport Aircraft, is an EAA Techni- cal Counselor and an FAA Designated Airworthiness Representative. Florida Aircraft and Trades, phone (863) 956- 0076, is the resident airframe and pow- erplant mechanic, also holding Rotax engine certification. South Lakeland Airport is also the home of Skydive Tampa Bay, phone (863) 425-4923, with world champion instructors and certi- fied parachute packers. For more information, call Jay Kurtz at (863) 701-0000 or visit www.liteplane.com, the web site for South Lakeland Sport Aviation, or www.therealsouthlakelandairport.com, the web site for South Lakeland Airport, Courtesy of South Lakeland Airport currently under construction. u Jay and Terri Kurtz’s RV-9A Light Sport Aircraft.

The Florida Flyer is a non-profit newsletter published quarterly by the Florida Department of Transportation Aviation Office. Florida To subscribe to the Florida Flyer, please contact Fred Karuga, Editor, FDOT Aviation Office, 605 Suwannee Street, MS-46, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450, phone (850) 414-4512, fax (850) 414-4508, e-mail [email protected]. Flyer Visit our web site at www.dot.state.fl.us/aviation.

FLORIDA FLYER PRSRT STD Florida Department of Transportation U.S. POSTAGE 605 Suwannee Street, MS-46 PAID Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450 Tallahassee, Florida Permit No. 58

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