Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Town of Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee held on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 3:00 pm in the Committee Room, Town Hall, 660 Primrose Street, Qualicum Beach, BC PRESENT: Joe MacDougall, Chartwell Residents’ Association Paul Anders, Member at Large Pavel Novak, Private Hangar Representative Allison Cooney, Skydive Vancouver Island Lorne Acheson, Orca Airways Paul Connor, T-Hangar Rep. Ian McLaughlin Staff: Bob Weir, P. Eng., Director of Engineering and Operations Geoff Graham, Deputy Airport Manager Fiona McDonald, Administrative Assistant Absent: Fred Evoy, Parksville-Qualicum Aero Club Steve Foley, KD Air Brian Sallows, Sunwest Helicopters Ltd. Ben Miller, Airport Operator Jesse Humphries, Chief Operator Chairperson, Bob Weir, called the meeting to order at 3:00pm. ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA The Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee adopted, by unanimous consent, the February 7, 2018 meeting agenda with the additions new business Items (6) Island Express, (7) APASS Application, and (8) Name Change Request. ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES G. Coonie MOVED and G. Graham SECONDED, THAT the Town of Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee approves the October 4, 2017 regular meeting minutes. CARRIED BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES (1) Dillon Consulting Presentation B. Weir advised the group that: • Refined plans have been presented to Council and are now included in the Official Community Plan process. • Recommendations have been put forward to amend the Urban Containment Boundary for additional uses. • Dillon Consulting will present to Council at an upcoming Official Community Plan meeting. • This item will come back to this committee. Town of Qualicum Beach February 7, 2018 Airport Users Committee Minutes Page 2 of 4 (2) Draft Parking Lot Plan & (3) Update on the British Columbia Air Access Program Aviation Infrastructure Funding B. Weir advised the group: • Agenda Items 2 & 3 – the Town is preparing applications for two (2) grants programs: – British Columbia Air Access Program (BCAAP), Provincially funded, applying for assistance with non-air side initiatives to promote businesses, renovate parking lot plan and expand terminal building (graphics distributed). Will free up spaces for other users. - Airports Capital Assistance Program (ACAP), Federally funded, applying for assistance with airside safety, airport lighting (LED), fuel dispensing, improved kiosks. (4) Tree Removal Negotiations B. Weir advised the group: • Still have noise complaints with land owner. • Town would like to meet with chief pilots of three carriers, Island Express, Integra Air (Orca Air) and KD Air to discuss Noise Abatement issues. Advances need to be made. (5) Gate Door/Access B. Weir advised the group: • During the audit, security issues were identified with the public having access to apron. • The Airport will have Transport Canada controlled access doors on the apron side using card access. • All access to the apron will require a card or be accompanied by personnel that have a card. Hope for grant funding to assist with this • Suggestion - Commercial pilots have access through chipped cards from other airports, already approved by Transport Canada. NEW BUSINESS (1) New instrument approach to Runway 11 • G. Graham advised that there should no longer be a low-level circling approach, on arrivals only, for fixed-wing aircraft. • NAVCAN note will be removed. • This took effect February 1, 2018. (2) Four possible new buildings on Row B Possible tenants are: • A drone operator • A helicopter operation, and possibly a helipad • 2 private hangars Town of Qualicum Beach February 7, 2018 Airport Users Committee Minutes Page 3 of 4 All in process and proposed, reviewing preliminary plans (3) Relocation of Skydive Vancouver Island • Open date is April 14, 2018 in new location. • Over flow parking, restrictions on fun jumpers. • Town would like to schedule a meeting to discuss the operating agreement going forward. (4) New ownership of Orca Air • Kevin Lowe, Integra Air was present. • Hangar and aircraft improvements are underway. • SMS system in place. • Town would like to schedule a meeting to go over issues. • Town wishes Integra Air and Orca Air well. (5) Bylaw, revision and lease rates • The Town’s bylaw lease rates were increased for 2018. • BC Assessment hangar rates were increased, being appealed by Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA). (6) Island Express • Hoping to start in Qualicum Beach this Spring and provide service to a different route – Abbotsford, Comox, Nanaimo, Victoria, and Boundary Bay. • Qualicum Beach would be added as a regular stopping point. • Bellingham flights (QB to Abbotsford to Bellingham). • Lease being negotiated. (7) APASS Application – • PQ Flying Club has made an application Canada Customs • APASS allows for clearing customs inbound, for private, commercially registered aircrafts • Procedure is a telephone verbal clearance for customs • This program is currently in place in Duncan and Courtenay • Would provide a service for locals, no need to stop in Victoria or Nanaimo, no extra landing, results in fuel savings, and is convenient. (8) Name Change Request • Business Plan suggestion is to change the name of the Airport from CAT4 to CXQU. • This process is underway, application submitted, no conflicts in Canada. • Needs approval of NAVCAN. Town of Qualicum Beach February 7, 2018 Airport Users Committee Minutes Page 4 of 4 COUNCIL (1) Status of Recommendations to Council – Nil (2) Referrals from Council – Nil (3) Council Motions – Nil Additional Items Discussed: • What is the complaint process – accurate records need to be reported, details are then sent to Transport Canada. Time is required to review video records, logs, and data. This is in the jurisdiction of Transport Canada. Power failures to cameras hinder the process. • Town is looking at a new internet feed from the Village Way Reservoir Site that would include the area just north of Qualicum Woods. • The 2 cameras on the Airport Weather Station are not operational, as a result of fire wall changes there is no access to those records. • Back-up generator would be beneficial for all tenants. Power went out 3 times in January. A back-up generator would be a safety improvement. • Lighting needs to be improved by ramp, laneway and fuel station. Could be resolved with the improved overhead lighting to the parking lot. • Pay parking still proposed although not approved at this time. Overnight parking will be able to be regulated if the paid parking takes place. • Skydive Vancouver Island reported that a full analysis is being done for the purchase of a 3 bladed prop, to assist in the noise issues. This is a key priority and financial investment. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS AND DISCUSSION - To be determined ADJOURNMENT G. Connie MOVED and G. Graham SECONDED, THAT the Town of Qualicum Beach Airport Users Committee adjourns the meeting. CARRIED Meeting Adjourned: 4:20pm Certified Correct: Bob Weir, Co-chair Paul Connor, Co-chair Next Regular Meeting: .