The Little River Airport Advisory Committee (revised rough draft 3/19/99 minutes) A meeting of The Little River Airport Advisory Committee was convened at the Woods Clubhouse on Friday, March 19, 1999, at 9:03 am. The agenda had been posted at the Little River Airport and at the Little River Post Office. Present at the meeting were committee members: Tim Scully, Willow Trent, Trey Loy, Dave Brewer and Joel Bornstein. Also participating in the meeting were: Dick Ahrens, Janie Tate, Sam Levine, Richard Gallagher and Leonard Swithenbank The minutes of the last meeting were approved as submitted. Tim Scully read the correspondence of the past month. It is appended below. Joel Bornstein reported that he had spoken with Chuck Boyer and Stan Townsend and another individual at the Little River Airport earlier in the week. He was told that the new fuel system shall be placed on the existing island, oriented perpendicularly to the runway. It is expected to be delivered in July, as previously noted. Tim Scully went on to read three letters that had been received too late to be included in the communications handout: A letter of resignation was received from Joel Bornstein. It is to be effective when these minutes are written and transmitted to Tim for distribution. There were letters from Sheriff Tony Craver and Paul Richie, Commander of the County Sheriff's Air Squadron. The letters strongly support Leonard Swithenbank's request to place his portable hangar on the Little River Airport property. We continued with the discussion of Leonard Swithenbank's request. Dave Brewer said he supports the proposal and Joel Bornstein said he agrees. Trey Loy had many questions, however. He asked if the building department had been questioned regarding the installation of a building exceeding 120 square feet, without a concrete foundation. He was informed that Leonard Swithenbank had indeed spoken with Mike Mason of the department, who said that stakes driven into the ground are acceptable, since that is what the manufacturer specifies for the installation. It was further noted that the hangar is a temporary structure. Dave Brewer moved and Joel Bornstein seconded that we approve the request. Willow Trent asked about the color of the hangar? It's the same as most of the existing hangars. Richard Gallagher asked if Leonard Swithenbank might not be wiser to place the hangar in Ukiah, due to the weather conditions and the lack of fuel at Little River Airport? Leonard said he feels that Little River Airport is the best place to hangar the airplane. Trey Loy said he would abstain from voting on the issue. He asked where the hangar might go? Although Chuck and Stan had been to the airport, Trey Loy felt we should tell them where we think the hangar should be sited. He feels that it should be in the gap reserved for the bridge or at the end of the existing row of hangars, toward the 11 end of the runway. Sam Levine said that Leonard's aircraft might also be useful for fire watch service. We had a short discussion of the exact wording of our recommendation. We decided upon: "The committee voted to recommend, due to the exceptional community service value of approving Mr. Swithenbank's request, that he be allowed to temporarily place his portable hangar at Little River Airport, with the understanding that he will either remove, reinstall or relocate his hangar once a policy for new hangars has been adopted." A vote was called for and the results were 4 ayes and 1 abstention. We will send copies of our recommendation to Fourth District Supervisor Patti Campbell, Fifth District Supervisor David Colfax and Leonard Swithenbank. Dave Brewer said he has a problem with the large number of items that are on the agenda, although we are acting on only a few. He suggested that we remove the Reach Helicopter item. We agreed to do that. Dave then mentioned the Master Plan item. Dick Ahrens said he has the old plan on his computer and he is preparing to go through it, line by line, to help us to be prepared with an update if we are asked to produce one. Trey Loy spoke a some length about the process, appearing to be against Dick doing what he is volunteering to do. It was pointed out that Dick is doing this on his own and that it has little to do with the revised plan which we might produce for the County. He was assured that the Airport Advisory Committee would review each chapter prior to releasing it. Tim Scully suggested that the item be removed from the agenda. We agreed to do that. Trey Loy asked about the noise abatement issue. Tim Scully apologized for inadvertently omitting it from the agenda. He said it would be on the April agenda. We spoke briefly of the notification that needs to be given to the publishers of the pilots' guides. It appears that the guides were notified earlier, but that the most important publication, The Airport Facilities Directory, had not received notification. Trey discussed the messages that he wants to have included in the notification. They include: "Noise sensitive area, all quadrants," "Noise abatement procedures in effect," "Check with airport supervisor" and "Touch and goes restricted." It was pointed out to Trey, that it would not be possible to say all that. There is usually only one short line on noise abatement. The discussion moved to the proposed restriction on touch and goes. Trey Loy said that Joel Bornstein had agreed to a prohibition of such operations between two hours after dark, until 8am. There was some discussion of limiting the number of touch and goes allowed. Joel Bornstein presented a spreadsheet showing his activity at Little River Airport for 1998. He felt that it showed that there was no need to place restrictions on touch and goes, by number. He was in favor of simply asking all pilots to be considerate of the noise sensitive area. Others were insistent on a number. Trey Loy moved that the number of consecutive touch and goes be limited to four. Dave Brewer seconded Trey's motion, stating that it would be fine if an aircraft made up to four touch and goes, left the area to do something else and then returned for up to four more touch and goes before ending the session. It was agreed that full stop landings were not restricted in this requirement. Joel said he is already complying with this restriction, since Dave Brewer's request to him, some months ago. He still felt that there was no need to make this a law. The question was called. The vote was unanimous in favor of the motion. We spoke briefly of the fuel situation. Dave Brewer said he has heard of people lending fuel to others. There was a recent case where a pilot received five gallons of avgas so that he could make it to Ukiah. He worries about the increased danger of pilots not having sufficient fuel. Janie Tate asked about the safety of the above ground fuel storage system. She was assured that the systems are designed to withstand tremendous impact and are being installed all over the country. Janie said that she has applied for the vacant non-pilot seat on the committee. Her primary concern is for safety. Regarding Joel Bornstein's request that Dick Ahrens be allowed to replace him until a permanent replacement is appointed by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors, we were reminded that there are no official alternate members of the committee. The committee is unanimously in favor of Dick Ahrens replacing Joel Bornstein. The recommendation shall be sent to Ukiah, with the notice that we have a second vacancy. It is to be worded: "I am appending a letter of resignation from the Airport Advisory Committe which Joel Bornstein delivered to the committee at its 3/19/99 meeting. All of the committee supports the idea of appointing Dick Ahrens (a pilot) to this open position." Dave Brewer asked if the actual budget information has been received from Ukiah? Tim said it has and he gave Dave a second copy. Dave presented a spreadsheet showing the number of operations at Little River Airport during 1998. There were slightly more than 5000 operations, each consisting of one takeoff or one landing. We thanked Dave for the effort he has been donating in compiling this valuable information. Our next meeting will be on April 16th at 9am at The Woods. The May meeting will be on the 21st at the same time and place. Joel Bornstein said we should drop the dirt bike issue from the agenda. All agreed. Sam Levine suggested that we invite Dean Strupp to our meetings to speak on the Fireman's Park issue. It was explained that he had been to one of our meetings some time ago. The time allotted for today's meeting ended at 11am. We adjourned at that time. Joel Bornstein, Secretary The agenda for this meeting is: Approve the minutes of the last meeting Communications (letters, FAXes, etc, sent/received since last meeting) Non-aviation uses of the airport Additional hangars at the airport Noise Abatement policy, what will we send to publishers of pilot guides regarding noise, flight training, etc.? The airport budget, actual income and expenses Reports from subcommittees Public comment Report on finances (contributions received, expenses incurred) Agree on a date, time and place for the next meeting Agree on agenda for next meeting Members of the Little River Airport Advisory Committee ------------------------------------------------------ Joel Bornstein pilot, flight instructor lives near airport Dave Brewer pilot, lives near airport Trey Loy non-pilot, lives near airport Tim Scully pilot, computer programmer, lives near airport commutes by air to Oakland weekly Willow Trent airport neighbor, non-pilot Susan Winding airport neighbor, non-pilot, business owner We are actively seeking another non-pilot member, and one pilot member seat has also just become open. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/19/99 email from Joel Bornstein ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Joel & Judith [jbjb] Sent: Friday, February 19, 1999 2:36 PM To: ..Tim Scully Subject: NOAA Address Tim, Here is the address for the changes to the Airport Facilities Directory: Federal Aviation Administration Aeronautical Information Services, ATA-100 800 Independence Ave. S.W. Washington, D.C. 20591 Today is the cutoff date for the March 25th A.F.D. The cutoff for the May 20th edition is April 16th. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/20/99 FAX to the Mendocino Beacon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Scully 2/20/99 Naomi c/o Mendocino Beacon FAX 937-0825 Dear Naomi: This FAX includes a press release re the open AAC position, the agenda for the AAC's next meeting and the text of the email from DPW which I failed to include in the handout at today's meeting. Thank you for taking the time and having the patience to attend the committee's meetings! Yours, Tim Scully, Ph.D. Chair, AAC PRESS RELEASE The Little River Airport Advisory Committee has a vacancy for a non-pilot member who is interested in working on airport issues. The committee meets once a month from 9am to 11am on a Friday morning, usually the 3rd Friday of each month. The committee has 3 pilots and 4 non-pilot members. Request an application from the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors or attend the committee's next meeting on March 19 at 9am at the Clubhouse at The Woods, 43300 Little River Airport Rd. AGENDA *********************************************** * AIRPORT MEETING Friday March 19 at 9AM * *********************************************** Airport Advisory Committee An Airport Advisory Committee has been appointed by the Board of Supervisors, consisting of a mixture of pilots and neighbors of Little River Airport. The committee's next meeting will be from 9am to 11am on Friday March 19 at the Clubhouse at The Woods, 43300 Little River Airport Rd. Interested parties are welcome to attend these meetings. There is an opening on the committee for a non-pilot member. The agenda for this meeting is: Approve the minutes of the last meeting Communications (letters, FAXes, etc, sent/received since last meeting) Brief history & current status for David Colfax Leonard Swithenbak's application to temporarily place a small portable hangar at Little River Airport Reach helicopter - can they install an Automated Weather Observing System? Airport Master Plan Update - and environmental report for Master Plan, should we start work? Should flight training activity (including touch and go landings) at Little River be restricted in some way? Fuel system replacement: status report The airport budget, actual income and expenses Logging of traffic at the airport Airport erosion control, grass planting Additional hangars at the airport Non-aviation uses of the airport Dirt bikes on the airport and related liability issue Reports from subcommittees Public comment Report on finances (contributions received, expenses incurred) Agree on a date, time and place for the next meeting Agree on agenda for next meeting Interested parties may send comments by mail to: Tim Scully Airport Advisory Committee EMAIL FROM DPW (inadvertently omitted from handout at 2/19 meeting) From: Stanley Townsend Sent: Friday, February 12, 1999 11:53 AM To: Bruce Mordhorst Cc: Tim Scully; Sue Goodrick; Gene Calvert; Chuck Boyer Subject: Motocross at Little River Airport Bruce, In your recent response to Tim Scully of the Little River Airport Advisory Committee concerning motocross activities at the Airport, you made the statement: "Since we know that this type of activity is taking place on County property, we must do everything within our power to make sure the activity is conducted in a safe manner or make sure it stops." I would just like to make it clear that the motorcycle activity is in no way authorized or condoned by the Department of Transportation. More than once, earth moving equipment has entered the Airport property illegally and constructed motorcycle jumps. Each time we have discovered this, we have brought in our own equipment and removed the jumps. Due to the off-road abilities of the vehicles in question, we know of no effective means to make the Airport property immune from such trespass. No funding is available for a full perimeter security fence. As the perpetrators show disrespect for property rights, we have no reason to believe that such a fence (if installed) would not be cut. We intend to continue to do what we can to exclude unauthorized activities from the Airport. -- Stanley Townsend, Deputy Director Mendocino County Department of Transportation 340 Lake Mendocino Drive Ukiah CA 95482-9432 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/25/99 email from Dave Brewer ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Dave Brewer [dmb001] Sent: February 25, 1999 5:34 PM To: tim Subject: More Logs Attached are actuals through September. I also did some restating of earlier results. I had been undercounting touch and gos.I went back and gave 10 operations to each local plane doing T&Gs and 6 operations to each foreign plane. I suspect that T&Gs are still undercounted. I only know about the ones that show up in the comments column. Little River Airport Summary of Operations by Month* 1/14/99 Count 1/14/98 Estimate November 219 219 December 277 273 January 128 124 February 123 103 March 380 366 April 459 451 May 442 434 June 466 462 July 600 808 August 667 700 September 684 600 October 823 325 ------ ------ Total 5268 4865 * One operation is one takeoff or one landing ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/1/99 email to DPW ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- From tim.scully Date: Mon Mar 1 06:08:49 1999 To: boyerc, townsens Cc: tim Subject: Questions from the Airport Advisory Committee The Airport Advisory Committee has formed a hangar subcommittee and has been working toward producing recommendations for how more hangars might be built at Little River. Some of the questions being considered include: - where would new hangars go? - will they be privately built or County-owned? - if County owned, how will they be funded? - how will the infrastructure (taxiway and/or access road) be developed? We also have a subcommittee considering non-aviation uses of airport land, and the infrastructure question has come up in this area too. We have a few questions which would help in our research: 1) If hangars or non-aviation developments are approved for an area on the airport which requires a new access road, is it more likely that the County would do the work, or that the work would be put out to bids from private contractors? [This question comes from a committee member who wants to work up cost estimates.] 2) The current Master Plan shows new hangars being added in an area which would require considerable development (bridging the draininge ditch and paving a new taxiway). We'd like to know if DPW knows of objections to simply continuing to extend the existing row of hangars, right next to the main taxiway? This would be a less expensive alternative for a few additional hangars. 3) The committee is interested in knowing where the new above-ground fuel tank will be located. We have been discussing how the area East of the existing fuel island may be developed in the future (e.g., possible hangars or additional tiedowns), but we have heard conflicting stories about where the fuel tank might be located, including possible locations which would block expansion of the ramp area. 4) We have been presented with an application from Leonard Swithenbank for permission to move his portable hangar from Covelo to Little River, installing it in a temporary location until the broader policy for future hangars has been worked out. His application raises some questions. - would there be a problem with a waiver from the Building Department to allow him to anchor his hangar with blocks or stakes, per Porta-Port specs, or would he have to put down a concrete footing? - does DPW have concerns about the concept of a temporary hangar such as this? I am appending Mr. Swithenbank's letter to the committee. We plan to discuss this issue further at our next meeting, March 19, and would appreciate your input. Respectfully Yours, Tim Scully, Ph.D. Chair, Airport Advisory Committee ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/19/99 letter from Leonard Swithenbank to AAC ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Little River Airport Advisory Committee Feb 19-1999 Re: Hangar space at Little River Airport I have recently purchased an aircraft and hangar from a Covelo Pilot and would like to have both plane and hangar moved to Little River Airport. I would like to keep this as uncomplicated as possible. Hopefully moving from one Mendocino County airport to the other will make it simpler. The hangar I have is a small portable "T" hangar (735 + or - square feet). It is smaller than any existing hangar at Little River Airport. I have talked with the airport manager (Les Procter) and his response was favorable and even picked out a few spots where it could be placed temporally until a permanent location would be approved by the county. Two of the spots are on asphalt and two are not. None of the spots would encroach on the runway or taxiway setbacks, interfere with any glide slope, or approach for landings in any way. Any of these locations would be fine with me and I would accept the cost for placement of gravel on either of the off asphalt locations. This hangar doesn't require electricity or a foundation, only needs anchoring at the corners. It has its own axle and wheels for transporting in the event it needs to be relocated if a temporary spot turns out to be a problem. I have been told there is a plan for future hangars but as of now has not been approved. I have considered parking the plane outside but with the damp weather on the coast it is very important to keep the plane protected. Another concern is that this particular airplane is the only one in Mendocino County Sheriffs Air Squadron that is equipped with the communication system and external speakers for search and rescue. The equipment used for search and rescue is not usually stored in the airplane, but would be kept in the hangar for security reasons, and a quicker response time for placing, the equipment in the plane. If the airplane, remains at Covelo airport it would really hinder response time for search and rescue. We are talking a two hour response time instead of twenty minutes from my home near Fort Bragg. Also most of my projects as a building contractor are within a ten mile radius of Little River Airport. This can mean a lot of difference in a search if it is near darkness and time is short. Also having a lighted field to come home to is of great concern for safety. Covelo doesn't have a lighted field. Talking with Les Procter, Little River Airport manager. It is no problem to tie any airplane down for any length of time outside at Little River. I could do that right now. But the problem I have with that is my insurance company will not cover any damage caused by the elements or by vandalism if the plane is not hangared. The planes tied permanently outside at Little River at this time are quite vulnerable, especially when there is no fuel available for airplanes on the airport. Having the only ones outside would be a very easy target for theft of fuel. Also without a hangar to keep the plane in, the Sheriffs search radios and external speaker system would also be an easy target. At this time fuel is not and will not become available at Covelo in the foreseeable future, The concern being able to start a search with full fuel. At this time the best I can do is flying with a half hours fuel gone before starting a search. I can fly a search out of Covelo for 2.7 hours, a search out of Little River for 3.7 hours! As a member of the Mendocino County Sheriffs Air Squadron for the past seven years I know how important every plane in the Squadron is and this plane has been used more than any other for Search and Rescue. To have a plane on the coast would vastly improve the search capabilities. Both for a quicker response and a longer search time. I am willing to negotiate a lease for temporary hangar space until either a permanent space can be found or the county builds more hangars. At the time the county builds new hangars, and if no permanent space for mine is available. I would move into one of them and remove my hanger from the airport. Other considerations would be the financial benefits to Mendocino County such as the increased fees at Little River for aircraft hangars (double those of Covelo). Locations for a temporary hangar are numerous. I measured the hangar and measured locations on the airport that would accommodate this hangar. One is at the end of the existing County hangars, the County hangars are 100' shorter than the private hangars directly across from them. Between hangars along the taxi way to runway 11, it measures over 81' between them. At the Northern most end of the hangers on the taxi way to runway 11. Next to Bergin's hangar towards Coast Flyers. (I would need to relocate existing fence) South of the airport office (numerous locations) What I need to know from you is how I proceed from this point. If you can present this proposal for me before the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. Or if I need to be present at a meeting myself, I can do that. I just need to know when and where. I could if necessary got letters of support from the Search and Rescue division to the Sheriffs Dept. Thank- You in advance for your consideration, Leonard Swithenbank- Commander MCSAS 1998 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/2/99 letter to FAA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Scully 3/2/99 Joseph R. Rodriguez FAA Airports District Office re: Little River Airport (O48) 831 Mitten Road., Suite 210 Mendocino County Burlingame, CA 94010 Dear Sir: I am chairman of the Little River Airport Advisory Committee. We have a noise abatement policy at Little River, and a couple of small signs are posted indicating this. However the signs are very small and use black lettering on a white background. Very few pilots notice them. We have recommended to the airport manager that larger signs be installed, using the new ICAO colors of orange lettering on a black background. The manager has asked us to solicit your opinion of our plan. Install signs with orange lettering on a black background, as follows: - At the mid-field intersection: "No intersection takeoffs - noise abatement". - At the West end of the hangar line - "Please do RWY 11 runups here. Noise sensitive houses to the Northwest." - We recommend a sign at least 2x3', off the pavement to the North of the taxiway at the East end of the runway "Left turn on departure for noise abatement. Please avoid right-hand and straight out departures. Safety supercedes noise abatement." - at the entrance to the airport parking lot: "Noise Sensitive Neighborhood. See details of noise abatment procedure in the airport office." Your comments would be appreciated. Thank you. Respectfully Yours, Tim Scully, Ph.D. Chair, Airport Advisory Committee ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/5/99 letter to FAA ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tim Scully 3/5/99 Joseph R. Rodriguez FAA Airports District Office re: Little River Airport (O48) 831 Mitten Road., Suite 210 Mendocino County Burlingame, CA 94010 Dear Sir: I'm writing with a correction to the letter I sent you on 3/2/99, which cited the wrong colors for the proposed signs at Little River. The proposed colors have been amended to black lettering on a yellow background. I am chairman of the Little River Airport Advisory Committee. We have a noise abatement policy at Little River, and a couple of small signs are posted indicating this. However the signs are very small and use black lettering on a white background. Very few pilots notice them. We have recommended to the airport manager that larger signs be installed, using the new ICAO colors of black lettering on a yellow background. The manager has asked us to solicit your opinion of our plan. Install signs with orange lettering on a black background, as follows: - At the mid-field intersection: "No intersection takeoffs - noise abatement". - At the West end of the hangar line - "Please do RWY 11 runups here. Noise sensitive houses to the Northwest." - We recommend a sign at least 2x3', off the pavement to the North of the taxiway at the East end of the runway "Left turn on departure for noise abatement. Please avoid right-hand and straight out departures. Safety supercedes noise abatement." - at the entrance to the airport parking lot: "Noise Sensitive Neighborhood. See details of noise abatment procedure in the airport office." Your comments would be appreciated. Thank you. Respectfully Yours, Tim Scully, Ph.D. Chair, Airport Advisory Committee --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/18/99 email to DPW --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Tim Scully Sent: March 18, 1999 6:19 AM To: 'townsens'; 'boyerc' Cc: Tim Scully Subject: Airport Committee meeting tomorrow morning The Airport Advisory Committee meets tomorrow morning. I realize you are very busy, but if it is possible to get answers to any of these questions before the meeting, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! From tim.scully Mon Mar 1 06:08:49 1999 To: boyerc, townsens Cc: tim Subject: Questions from the Airport Advisory Committee The Airport Advisory Committee has formed a hangar subcommittee and has been working toward producing recommendations for how more hangars might be built at Little River. Some of the questions being considered include: - where would new hangars go? - will they be privately built or County-owned? - if County owned, how will they be funded? - how will the infrastructure (taxiway and/or access road) be developed? We also have a subcommittee considering non-aviation uses of airport land, and the infrastructure question has come up in this area too. We have a few questions which would help in our research: 1) If hangars or non-aviation developments are approved for an area on the airport which requires a new access road, is it more likely that the County would do the work, or that the work would be put out to bids from private contractors? [This question comes from a committee member who wants to work up cost estimates.] 2) The current Master Plan shows new hangars being added in an area which would require considerable development (bridging the draininge ditch and paving a new taxiway). We'd like to know if DPW knows of objections to simply continuing to extend the existing row of hangars, right next to the main taxiway? This would be a less expensive alternative for a few additional hangars. 3) The committee is interested in knowing where the new above-ground fuel tank will be located. We have been discussing how the area East of the existing fuel island may be developed in the future (e.g., possible hangars or additional tiedowns), but we have heard conflicting stories about where the fuel tank might be located, including possible locations which would block expansion of the ramp area. 4) We have been presented with an application from Leonard Swithenbank for permission to move his portable hangar from Covelo to Little River, installing it in a temporary location until the broader policy for future hangars has been worked out. His application raises some questions. - would there be a problem with a waiver from the Building Department to allow him to anchor his hangar with blocks or stakes, per Porta-Port specs, or would he have to put down a concrete footing? - does DPW have concerns about the concept of a temporary hangar such as this? I am appending Mr. Swithenbank's letter to the committee. We plan to discuss this issue further at our next meeting, March 19, and would appreciate your input. Respectfully Yours, Tim Scully, Ph.D. Chair, Airport Advisory Committee encl: 2/19/99 letter from Leonard Swithenbank to AAC --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/18/99 email from DPW --------------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Stanley Townsend Sent: Thursday, March 18, 1999 6:40 AM To: tim.scully ; boyerc Subject: RE: Airport Committee meeting tomorrow morning Tim, We are working on this... Chuck and I were both at the Airport earlier this week reconoitering and taking measurements. We have a meeting scheduled for early next week with our Director to discuss these issues, and we will get back to you. I'm sorry this won't be before your AAC meeting. -- Stanley Townsend, Deputy Director Mendocino County Department of Transportation 340 Lake Mendocino Drive Ukiah CA 95482-9432 -----Original Message----- From: tim.scully [mailto:tim.scully] Sent: Thursday, 18 March 1999 6:19 AM To: townsens; boyerc Cc: tim.scully Subject: Airport Committee meeting tomorrow morning The Airport Advisory Committee meets tomorrow morning. I realize you are very busy, but if it is possible to get answers to any of these questions before the meeting, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! >From tim.scully Mon Mar 1 06:08:49 1999 To: boyerc, townsens Cc: tim Subject: Questions from the Airport Advisory Committee The Airport Advisory Committee has formed a hangar subcommittee and has been working toward producing recommendations for how more hangars might be built at Little River. Some of the questions being considered include: - where would new hangars go? - will they be privately built or County-owned? - if County owned, how will they be funded? - how will the infrastructure (taxiway and/or access road) be developed? We also have a subcommittee considering non-aviation uses of airport land, and the infrastructure question has come up in this area too. We have a few questions which would help in our research: 1) If hangars or non-aviation developments are approved for an area on the airport which requires a new access road, is it more likely that the County would do the work, or that the work would be put out to bids from private contractors? [This question comes from a committee member who wants to work up cost estimates.] 2) The current Master Plan shows new hangars being added in an area which would require considerable development (bridging the draininge ditch and paving a new taxiway). We'd like to know if DPW knows of objections to simply continuing to extend the existing row of hangars, right next to the main taxiway? This would be a less expensive alternative for a few additional hangars. 3) The committee is interested in knowing where the new above-ground fuel tank will be located. We have been discussing how the area East of the existing fuel island may be developed in the future (e.g., possible hangars or additional tiedowns), but we have heard conflicting stories about where the fuel tank might be located, including possible locations which would block expansion of the ramp area. 4) We have been presented with an application from Leonard Swithenbank for permission to move his portable hangar from Covelo to Little River, installing it in a temporary location until the broader policy for future hangars has been worked out. His application raises some questions. - would there be a problem with a waiver from the Building Department to allow him to anchor his hangar with blocks or stakes, per Porta-Port specs, or would he have to put down a concrete footing? - does DPW have concerns about the concept of a temporary hangar such as this? I am appending Mr. Swithenbank's letter to the committee. We plan to discuss this issue further at our next meeting, March 19, and would appreciate your input. Respectfully Yours, Tim Scully, Ph.D. Chair, Airport Advisory Committee encl: 2/19/99 letter from Leonard Swithenbank to AAC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/13/99 letter from Steve Scher ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr. Tim Scully Airport Advisory Committee March 13, 1999 Dear Mr. Scully I read the article in the March 11 Beacon soliciting comments regarding touch and go landings at Little River Airport and wish to share my views with the committee. I live approximately two miles East of the airport on Airport Road. My family has owned the property since 1970, As time goes on I look forward to Winter here because it is the only time of the year when the noise from the Little River airport subsides enough that I can enjoy life in my own house on my own property undisturbed. Noise pollution here is real, it is a quality of life issue, and when it invades and disrupts my space in my own home without my permission, it becomes an important personal issue for me. Aside from airplanes flying low directly over my house while preparing to land at the airport, the loudest and most disturbing and invasive noise I experience regularly in my home comes from airplanes on the ground, at the airport, revving up their engines at takeoff. This noise carries for miles and adversely affects hundreds of people. It is my understanding that in touch and go landings a single airplane will rev up its engine(s) to the maximum noise levels possible during take off and then circle around the airport at low altitude where it generates the greatest noise Pollution for residents below. It is also my understanding that a single airplane will do this over and over and over again. If this is true, then one airplane would create as much noise as many airplanes leaving or arriving from other destinations and have a disproportionate negative effect on the peace and quiet of the entire community. I strongly object to any airport policies which might potentially increase the frequency of take offs or increase the traffic at the airport and I fear that once allowed these policies would be very difficult for the community to limit or stop at a later time. I also object to any commercial interest that tries to profit at my expense by reducing the quality of my life. Please keep your noise off my property. The noise pollution coming from the airport is unacceptable now, please do not allow it to get any worse. Sincerely Steve Scher ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2/23/99 letter from Sheriff Craver ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANTHONY J. CRAVER Sheriff-Coroner February 23, 1999 Little River Airport Advisory Committee Mendocino County Little River Airport Little River, CA Dear Sir, The purpose of this letter is to identify Mr. Leonard Swithenbank as an active member of the Mendocino County Sheriff's Air Squadron. Mr. Swithenbank has recently purchased a Cessna Model 172 which has been configured with communications equipment for search and rescue operations. This airplane has been used a number of times in the past on successful search and rescue operations by its previous owners and is a valuable resource to Mendocino County. The airplane is currently hangered in Covelo and Mr. Swithenbank resides in Fort Bragg which creates an extended delay on any call out for search and rescue service. Having the aircraft in Covelo also decreases its versatility because of a lack of services at the Covelo Airport. Although Mr. Swithenbank would like to have his airplane at Little River, he is reluctant to have it exposed to the elements due to the vulnerability of the electronic equipment added for search and rescue. Any consideration you might show Mr. Swithenbank in his request to be able to install a portable hanger would be very much appreciated by the Sheriff's Office as this will greatly enhance our search and rescue capabilities by having the airplane more readily available. Respectfully, Tony Craver Sheriff 951 LOW 6AP UKIAH, CALIFORNIA 95482-3797 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- undated letter from Paul Richey ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chuck Boyer Mendocino County Public Works Dept. 340 Lake Mendocino Dr. Ukiah, Cal. 95482 Dear Mr. Boyer; It has come to my attention that Mr. Leonard Swithenbank has requested ground lease area for hangar space at the Mendocino County Airport - Little River, to house his recently purchased Cessena aircraft. The Mendocino County Sheriff's Air Squadron has long been looking for Air Squadron members and aircraft for search and rescue purposes to be based along the costal area. Mr. Swithenbank's aircraft based at the Little River airport will be the perfect adjunct that is needed for air searches on the north coast. With this in mind I am urging you to approve Mr. Swithenbank's request for ground lease area for the purpose of hangaring his aircraft at said airport. This will be another step in making the north coast a safer area. Sincerely, Paul Richey Commander, Mendocino County Sheriff's Air Squadron Paul Richey 3750 E. Side Calpella rd. Ukiah, Cal. 95482 cc: Squadron membership Sheriff file PR/pr --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3/19/99 handout from Joel Bornstein --------------------------------------------------------------------------- JOEL'S LANDING STATISTICS FOR 1998 MONTH OF # FLIGHTS #OF LANDINGS TOTAL TIME INSTRUCTION TIME January 2 2 2.6 0.0 February 3 6 1.9 1.5 March 9 12 9.9 8.3 April 14 24 20.0 17.1 May 15 28 23.1 21.0 June 33 108 43.6 27.8 July 43 137 56.0 44.5 August 33 120 38.1 31.4 September 39 132 44.6 32.2 October 34 67 48.1 27.8 November 19 42 21.7 17.0 December 11 19 13.7 6.7 ----------------------------------------------- Year 255 697 323.3 235.3 Per Week 4.9 13.4 6.2 4.5 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 19, 1999 letter from Joel Bornstein --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joel Bornstein March 19, 1999 Little River Airport Advisory Committee Tim Scully, Chairman Dear Committee Members: As you all know, I have served on the Little River Airport Ad Hoc Advisory Committee and the Airport Advisory Committee for more than three years. I agreed to accept the appointment to the Airport Advisory Committee for a period of one year, which ended on December 31, 1998. I have asked Fifth District Supervisor David Colfax to excuse me from the committee. To date, he has not done so. Now, primarily for personal reasons, I wish to announce that I am resigning from the Airport Advisory Committee. My resignation shall take effect when I transmit the minutes of today's meeting to Tim Scully. I am hopeful that Dick Ahrens, alternate pilot member of the committee, is asked to take my place until a permanent replacement is appointed by the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. I wish to thank all the members of the committee for the tremendous effort that they have given this difficult task. I look forward to attending future meetings as a guest. Sincerely, ----------------------------------------------------------------------