THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS : . ,/ MASSACHUSETTS AERONAUTICSZ COMMISSION . FOR YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31. 1961 " " , .. .. ~ :t .. " .. ... • . .. .. ,," .. ~ ,.... : . 01 . ' "," ..... 0.1" : . .. .. ii) ' . .. "' " ~ w .... ... ,. ~ 4 • .. , '. : fO' :'" ; .. .. : : ", .,.. .. ". .. .. ! .. ... " . .. .. .. .. ... " tt .. ".. .. .. .. ~-I-l~ I ' If~ FEB 9 1S62 , ArE HOUS:, BOSTON: r-AASS. OFFICIALS ~ "1It<!A~ 1-. • • • :' •~~. ': ~ • I. : " . .' .. I.: "" .. I. .... ' ,'. .. ...... : " ". of .' • • ,.:.. : :\:. .. : :7. : .. • : ... I:t ," •• e. .. .. b ';le;. 1f'13 8~S/l) 11 b I A MASSACHUSETTS AZRONAUTICS COMMISSION ANNUAL S :S PORT - 1961 In our report for the calendar year 1960 we highlighted several subjects which justify further mention this year. One of these was a substantial reduction, at many points, in the number of passengers carried in CAB certificated local scheduled air service which had begun to be noticeable as early as 1959. In 1961 this trend not only continued, but in some cases the rate of reduction increased. This happened at Fitchburg and Pittsfield where only limited schedules are in effect. It was also evident in the New Bedford, Hyannis, Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard area served by Northeast Airlines. During the same period Cape and Islands Flight Service, Inc.., flying small airplanes on frequent schedules mostly between Hyannis and Nantucke~, was building up a volume which-now amounts to about 1/3rd as many passengers in and out of these tw'o points as are carried by Northeast. In addition, Massachusetts Air Industries, flying primarily between New Bedford, Martha's VineY,;I.rd and Nantucket, and National Executive Flight Service, Inc., flying betvJeen the Vine­ yard and New York, added a modest number of passengers to the total. At the same time Mohawk Airlines' local service from upstate New York through Worcester to Boston showed an 110/0 increase in passengers between 1960 and 1961, and Allegheny Airlines' new service between Boston and Long Island, and between Boston and numerous Pennsylvania and New Jersey points showed a respectable total of 64,493 passengers in and out of Boston for its first twelve mo.nths of operation. We also spoke of the New England Council Regional Airport Study which came about largely because of the relative deterioration of local air service in New England. This study was completed in 1961. It concluded that the 43 com­ munities in New England certificated by the Civil Aeronautics Board for scheduled air service could more efficiently be served through 20 specified regional a11- \veather airports. The effect of this on Massachusetts was to nominate Worcester, Lawrence, Boston, New Bedford, Hyannis, Nantucket, and Martha7s Vineyard as regional airports, but to eliminate Pittsfield and Fitchburg. This plan has been favorably considered by the federal agencies involved, and by the airline most directly concerned, which has already peti.tioned the CAB for permission to drop most of the stops not included in the New England CounciPs plan. During the year 1961 it became apparent that the regional airport philosoph~ for airlines, which gained a head start in New England and has since acquired con­ siderable impetus in other parts of the country, would create a growing need for some kind of air transportation between regional airports and many other com­ munities. Whether or not this will take the form of scheduled air taxi service with small airplanes, subject to a minimum of federal regulation and requiring PAGE 2 ANNUAL REPORT no subsidy, or will involve a federally regulated third , lev~l of air service, is presently being wi'dely debated. Again Massachusetts~ through joint action with the other New England stat,es and the New England ,Council, is taking the lead in the development of this type of service, which is already well represented by Provincetown-Boston Airlines, Cape and Islands Flight Service, Massachusetts Air,Industries" National Executiv~ Flight Service, Four Star Aviation, operating between Lawrence and Boston, Berkshire Aviation Enteirpris'e's, conne'Ct'ing Pitts­ field with Albany and New York, and several other': s'irtiilar operati~ns. ' , ,:,'" • .: J -.. ." ". • As a necessary corollary~ improv,ement of smaller airports to permlt ope~atiQns at' nig~t , ~nd in, bad ,w'eaiher' has :recei~, e'~ : add~d ~ attention. ' During the year runway ' light~ were installed with ~tate, <:>r state, 'and 'federal aid, at Mans­ field, ,Orange, and Southbridge, and a radio' hbrq.er at IraU River; Runw'ays were extended at Law,rence arid :Sou~hbridge, taxiway and' apron improvements were ma<;ie a~ Provinc"etown" Mansfield, New ' Bedforci~ Plymouth and Southbridge. Con,trol towers, lights and 'other faciiities incid~ntal to 'full instrument landing qapabilities, were ~q?structed at Hyannis and Nantu.cket, and work is well under way' 0l.1 ~major runway ext~rision at Worcester. ,,' '," " ' ", , ,.' ," ";rlans were "prepared, : sit 'e~ were selected, ' and community backing 'was developed for new ge,neral aviation a~rport~ , ~t Brbcktoh and in the Boufne-Ware- ham area. " , ," " " ' , , I;)uring, the twelv~ months we 'passed on to cities and towns doing this work a tot~l of $~87,939. 82' in federa~ airport aid, 'and $278,:8'82.55 in state aid. • " • • '. : J • • ,. '. '. '. 1961 was marked by a series of fatal acCidents at Nantucket involving small airplanes, fog, and p'ilots inexperier;~ed in instrument flying. As a result, and in close cooperation with airport commissions, the Federal Aviation Agency and the U.S. Weather Bureau, r:t)any improvements have bee,n made and more are in pr.ocess in' the observation, collection and dissemination of critical 'weather informatiol.1 i,n .. the C~pe and Islands area. " The yea,r was also noteworthy for publication, by the federal governme'rtt" of .fundamental long,:an~ short ,range policies .covering .all aspects of aviation, know.n ~& Projects Horizon, aeacon, and Tightrope. Massachusetts took part in the preparation of these policies through the acti'vities of the Commission in the National Association of State' Aviation Officials" and toe General Aviation Council. In last y~aris report we,promised to giye 'sp.9cial attention to highway directional mar~ers to airports ,w,ith the a$sist~nce of the Department of Public Works, and to some changes in aeronautical tax laws. '" , , The first project is proce~d~ng slowly. The eeqond is covered by Senate , Bill No. 479 of 1961, : which will ,be act~d on during this" sessio'n' of the Legislature. • .,' J • We finished ,the year a~ , we star.ted it" with a 'total of nine employees. , • .' ' • .' • r '. • • , " '. , ' ·ANNUAL REPORT PAGE 3 A detailed account of some of our activities follows -- SAFETY Registration: 4837 pilots and 1639 aircraft were registered at the end of the registration period in July. This is a decrease of 183 pilots~ but an increase of 55 planes over the last correspond­ ing period. Inspections: A total of 265 inspections of various types were made at air­ ports and seaplane bases. This has remained approximately the same for the past four years. Managers: 64 persons were licensed as airport managers. This is an increase of two over the previous year. Accidents: After showing a downward trend for two years~ accidents in 1961 increased by 18 for a total of 105. Included in this total were 4 accidents involving 6 fatalities and 5 accidents where 10 persons were injured. In analyzing this figure, it should be pointed out that of the total~ 50% occurred during landing or takeoff and from available evidence, 770/0 involved pilot error. Disciplinary Action: As a result of the 335 complaints received and investigated, certain disciplinary action was taken. 4 pilots were taken to court~ 163 received warning letters, 10 cases were turned over to the FAA for action, and 6 others were referred to the various military agencies for action. Of the total complaints received, 156 involved airline aircraft. This was an increase of 97 over 1960, and it might.be attributed to larger and more frequent jet planes provoking noise complaints from nearby residents. Financial Hesponsibility: The sixth year (1961) since the enactment of the Aircraft . Financial Responsibility Act required our action in 10 cases. It was unnecessary to suspend any pilot or aircraft certifi­ cates of registration which might indicate that many more pilots and aircraft owners are now securing insurance, as the preceding year 11 persons had their registrations suspended. Lectures: Our enforcement personnel continued in their practice of giving lectures on aeronautical laws and regulations, accident and violation investigation to local police and state police trainees at the State Police Academy in Framingham. Safety lectures were given to several aviation organizations. PAGE 4 ANNUAL REPORT ~------.----- Safety (continued) Waivers: Several aerial activities that took place within t he Common­ wealth did not exactly fit into the general pattern for which our regulations were established. and because their non­ compliance served a greater public good~ ' we issued~ after investigation, waivers to a total of 70 persons. 35 of these were in connection with the sport of parachute jumping. The others were for the purpose of pipeline patrol; exhibition acrobatic flight; air meets; agricultural dusting and spraying; insect control; wildlife survey; forest fire patrol; banner towing; and scientific research. Legislation: During 1961 we recommended a bill which will be considered by the 1962 Legislature. This