August/September 2009 President’S Message Negotiate Residential Encroachment Issues
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Statewide Aviation Recommendations ....2 Methow Valley State Airport Plan ..........2 WSDOT to Fund Projects .......................2 From the Logbook ...................................3 WPA Chapters ..........................................4 Spokane Chapter Annual Picnic ............4 WPA Board Meeting Minutes .................5 Letter Re: Columbia Gorge Airport ........5 Big Plans for Eisenberg Airport .............6 Beware As You Descend ..........................6 Women’s Air Race Winner ......................7 Calendar of Events ..................................8 August/September 2009 President’s Message negotiate residential encroachment issues. An attendee, another Executive Director, quickly Airport Managers . responded . Avigation Agreements. The essence of his airport protection policy is to insure that buyers of homes sign a document acknowledging the presence of an airport. Criminal Intent . What is missing in his policy is the forfeiture of free speech and the right to vote. Think With only 138 airports remaining in the about it . just because the buyer knows there is an airport nearby does not stop that Washington State Transportation System why do person from lobbying for the closure of the airport. And what obligation does the second we continue to have problems with incompatible or third owner have to sign that agreement? land use development . i.e. encroachment? Why Another Executive Director and I engaged in a conversation about noise and safety is Hoquiam considering a 100 plus foot crane to overlays. The State has recommended 6 Zones about an airport. (If you don’t know what obstruct the LPV Approach . recall the 911 they are . call me!) The city and county had adopted them into their comprehensive tower on the outer marker in 2002 that jumped the plans. (You need to read up on Comprehensive ILS minimums by 500 feet? Why is the City of Pla n s t o o). W he n I have come to the the developer came Shelton considering a rezone for land designated knocking the County Council asked this Commercial Industrial just 2000 feet from the Executive Director, conclusion that we as “So just how many runway centerline to Commercial Residential? homes are appropriate pilots long ago took a in Zone 6”? Believe it Why is Pierce County considering the Lipoma or not the answer is in pass when it comes to WSDOT’s Land Use John Dobson, WPA President Communities Development just 3050 feet away Planning Guide Book . 1 home for every from the approach to Thun Field? And go figure 2.5 acres. Since this doing our homework person could not find a Kittitas County . we (the FAA & WSDOT) just spent $1.2 million for a new runway at definitive answer the regarding airport issues. county commissioners Cle Elum – S93 and the county is entertaining the “Airport Heights” development . a p p r o v e d t h e developer’s request. On that issue (S93) where is the City of Cle Elum in all of this? In fact where do all Even I got blindsided at my own Shelton airport. The developer came knocking with a of the airport sponsors stand when it comes to the issues noted above? Airport Directors wonderful plan. All that was needed was a simple change in the Zoning from Commercial / Managers should want to protect their own! They should have the knowledge of the Industrial to Commercial Residential. In that the City had adopted the infamous “noise law; Comprehensive Plans, Growth Management Act, and incompatible land use . or and safety overlays” (Zones 1 through 6) they were quick to point out the developer would do they? be in compliance . so what is the problem? The problem is that City Zoning Codes and A few weeks ago I attended the Executive Directors retreat for the WPPA (Washington Airport Overlays are not independent documents. You can’t change one element without Public Ports Association). Recall the membership of the WPPA has oversight for roughly reviewing both documents and making updates to the City and County Comprehensive 40% of this State’s airports. I asked a question of our guest speaker about how best to Plans. Sometime back City advisors wrestled with appropriate Property Zoning to the south of our airport . Commercial Industrial (C.I.) was selected. That designation prohibits residential development. The County and City then adopted their version of the State’s recommended Noise and Safety Overlays. Since the area of greatest concern was zoned Commercial Industrial there was no need to incorporate that data for Zone 6 . City Zoning Codes protected the airport. We know why the developer wants to change the zoning. Hopefully you now understand the misguided logic of the City and the trap I almost fell into. PAID I have come to the conclusion that we as pilots long ago took a pass when it comes Permit #5 to doing our homework regarding airport issues. And I have come to the conclusion that PRSRT STD PRSRT not all airport directors are created equal. Some are new to the position . like me. All U.S. POSTAGE Snohomish, WA Snohomish, have the best of intentions. But, most report to a three, five or seven member commission / council. The political pressures in which they operate can be onerous. But if the pilot community is to have any success in saving airports we must seek expert advice and join in the political process . get there early and often! WSDOT – Aviation Division (John, John and Carter) have all kinds of resource materials . check out their website or give them a call. Coupled with our research regarding Vista Field in Kennewick and the legal reviews from Foster-Pepper I think we can safely say that there is a path. It’s not easy . the material may be boring . politicians say one thing and do something else . but we can prevail! Just pick up the phone and call . Paper Pilot Certificates to Expire Notice Number: NOTC1741 Remember that the paper pilot certificates that you have in your wallet must be replaced by the new plastic certificates by March 31, 2010. FAR 61.19(h) reads: (h) Duration of pilot certificates. Except for a temporary certificate issued under §61.17 or a student pilot certificate issued under paragraph (b) of this section, the holder of a paper pilot certificate issued under this part may not exercise the privileges of that certificate after March 31, 2010. If your Social Security number is your pilot certificate number you can go to this link and download the form to get a new certificate without charge: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/media/8060-56.pdf If your pilot certificate does not contain your Social Security number, you have two options to obtain a new plastic certificate: 1. You can apply on-line by going to this link and the fee is $2.00: https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/amsrvs/ReqAcct.asp or, 2. You can fill out the paper form and mail it to the Airman Registry and the fee is $2.00. Go to this link for the form and address: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/media/8060-56.pdf If you have questions concerning the process call your local FSDO office. Washington Pilots Association Pilots Washington NE Way PMB 397, 227 Bellevue 98004-9721 WA Bellevue, Page 2 - WPA Wings August/September 2009 Washington Aviation Planning Council Releases Statewide Aviation Recommendations After almost two years of deliberations, airports within the region expected to at any airport in Washington State • The State role as a steward of the aviation the Washington Aviation Planning Council reach capacity before 2030. today. system includes providing adequate has released its final statewide aviation • Recommendations regarding the placement • Future capacity constraints will exist land use protections, recommending recommendations. of future commercial or general aviation within the time frame of this study system improvements, as well as strategic To read the entire Council Report, which facilities to meet the need for improved (2030), primarily in the Puget Sound investments to support and maintain includes the full list of recommendations, aviation planning in the region. Region. critical aviation facilities throughout the visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/aviation/LATS. The Aviation Planning Council’s • Washington’s aviation system is state. The Aviation Planning Council, as recommendations are based on careful threatened by encroachment from land • If it is determined, at some time in the directed by state legislation (ESSB 5121), review of the LATS technical data, extensive uses that are incompatible with aviation future, that future demand cannot be was appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire dialogue with aviation system stakeholders operations, and existing land use laws met at nearby airports and there is no in July 2007 as part of the Long-Term and a thorough and transparent public are inadequate. interested sponsor to undertake such a Air Transportation Study (LATS). The involvement process. The recommendations Some highlights of the Council’s study effort, the State should undertake Council’s purpose was to use LATS Phases I are also aligned with Moving Washington, recommendations include: siting studies for new airports. and II technical findings, and include public WSDOT’s mobility program that utilizes • The State should place a priority of The Council’s recommendations were input, to determine: three strategies: adding capacity where protecting and maximizing the efficiency delivered to the Governor, Legislature, • How best to meet commercial and general appropriate, operating the system more of the airport system we already have in Transportation Commission and regional aviation capacity needs. efficiently and managing demand through place before we consider the development transportation planning organizations on • Which regions of the state are in need of more alternatives and choices. of new airports. July 1, 2009. improvement regarding the matching of Some highlights of the Council’s • Decisions about the placement or More information about LATS is existing, or projected, airport facilities findings include: expansion of airports must be primarily available at: and the long-range capacity needs at • No immediate capacity constraint exists a regional and market-driven decision.