NRMA NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 29TH, 2002
Welcome to the 49th issue of NRMA News - an almost weekly, sometimes monthly, occasionally quarterly, summary of events at New Richmond Municipal Airport. This newsletter is sent to approximately 240 individuals associated with NRMA.
WEB SITE ADDRESS . . . Check out the airport website at: http://www.nrairport.com . . . .
AIRPORT COMMISSION MEETING
A meeting of the New Richmond Municipal Airport Commission is scheduled for next Tuesday, October 8th at 6:30 PM in hangar 6-1. Several important items on the agenda include: 1) a proposal to construct a walking trail across Airport property 2) Ultralight vehicle policy and minimum standards for ultralight vehicle instruction at NRMA 3) 2003 budget. As always, we will have a cook-out following the meeting. Everyone is invited to attend.
I will briefly explain a few items on the agenda
1) Walking Trail. A local group is pushing hard to construct a walking trail around Hatfield Lake. Walking trails are wonderful except when they cross airport property. The proposed trail will cross the departure end of runway 4-22, travel behind the Baumann Floats facility, and through the south hangar area. The FAA and the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics will have a pretty tough time giving their blessing to the trail due to the serious safety and security issues that will most certainly arise. An aerial photo highlighting the proposed trail is available for download using Adobe Acrobat at http://www.nrairport.com/images/Hatfield.pdf . A representative from the local group pushing for the trail will make a presentation to the Airport Commission.
2) Ultralight vehicles: This summer I received complaints from pilots, local law enforcement agencies, and citizens regarding ultralight vehicles operating at and near NRMA. I discussed the issue with the DOT, FAA, and other airport managers around the state. Using their input, I compiled a list of operating rules NRMA will implement in the name of safety. Below is a summary of the proposed rules.
Ultralight vehicles will fly a traffic pattern altitude of 500 feet above ground level
Ultralight vehicles are restricted to using runway 4-22 April - November.
Ultralight vehicles will use a right hand traffic pattern when using runway 22, and left hand traffic when using runway 4
Ultralight vehicles are encouraged to remain southwest of runway 14-32 when practical
Ultralight vehicles will not be allowed over the city or congested areas
Each ultralight vehicle operator will be assessed an annual fee of $50 for use of NRMA*
The operator of an ultralight vehicle must use a two-way radio on the appropriate common traffic advisory frequency when operating at NRMA
Ultralight vehicles must conform to Federal Aviation Regulation 103 and the operators must follow the provisions of Federal Aviation Regulation 103 with special emphasis on yielding right-of-way to aircraft.
* A fee must be charged to the operators of ultralight vehicles according to the FAA and the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics. This rule will be applied at all public use airports in the US receiving Federal funds. The $50 fee was found to be a reasonable amount by the FAA.
LIGHTNING 6, AIRPORT -$2000
NRMA and our insurance company took a beating last summer thanks to a half-dozen lightning strikes. The Ground Communications Outlet (the radio system used by pilots to talk to air traffic controllers at Minneapolis Approach while on the ground at NRMA) was struck initially in mid-April, repaired and placed back in service at the end of June. It was struck again Labor Day weekend and sizzled to a crisp. It was repaired and placed back into service as of October 1st. The runway lighting was also disabled for 36 hours thanks to the very same storm. Lightning struck the brown building housing the constant current regulators for the runway lighting. A total of six fuses were blown and one circuit board was cooked thus making NRMA a very dark place for one night. Thankfully, everything is now back in service.
AIRPORT INSPECTION
A representative from the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics conducted a biennial inspection of NRMA in September. We passed! Runway safety areas and runway approach zones were all found in compliance. The pavement quality of runway 14-32 was reduced from good condition to fair condition (runway reconstruction is planned for the near future). The individual conducting the inspection was shocked at the amount of growth NRMA has experienced during the past two years and stated, "Overall, the place looks great." A special thanks for a job well done goes out to the NRMA part-time maintenance staff consisting of Ryan Powers, Shawn Demulling, Brian Hahn, and Jarad Haas. The AWOS unit was also inspected by the FAA in September and found to be in compliance.
SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS
If you are feeling a bit safer here at NRMA, there's a good reason for it. Additional security lighting was added near the south aircraft parking apron in August and additional remote security cameras were placed at various points around the airport.
Also, Houlton, WI resident Jim Peters, President of Gotcha! Security Systems stopped by my office and dropped off a stack of brochures on a few types of low cost, high reliability security systems for aircraft and hangars. I'll leave a few brochures in the pilot lounge.
KIWANIS MEETING
I spoke at the local Kiwanis Club meeting held at the end of August. A group of about 20 local business people heard a presentation on the value of NRMA on the local economy. According to the latest study completed by the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics, NRMA has an economic impact on the New Richmond area of over $6,000,000 per year. The presentation lasted approximately 15 minutes followed by 15 minutes of questions and answers.
AIRPORT PROJECTS
Several small, but important projects were started at NRMA over the past few months. Below is a short listing of the various projects:
- Xcel Energy installed natural gas mains in the north hangar area in August
- Excavation started in preparation for the new AB Flight Services facility located in the north hangar area
- New runway markers were installed along runway 4-22
- The first two taxilanes in the south hangar area were reconstructed in June and July
- The area around the rotating beacon is undergoing a makeover. The old, weathered storage sheds are being dismantled. The area will be landscaped this fall.
HANGAR LOTS
All hangar lots at NRMA are now leased, bringing the total to an amazing 78 lots. Twenty-five hangars in the north hangar area are either completed or under construction. Work on the remaining 8 hangars should commence soon. A public hearing was held in late June regarding the future plans for NRMA. Near future plans for hangar space include adding at least two additional taxilanes in the north hangar area and construction of an aviation related business / corporate aviation area south of the north hangar area. Stay tuned for more info....
HANGAR SPACES FOR RENT
A few hangar owners at NRMA informed me they have hangar spaces available for rent. For a listing of available spaces, go to http://www.nrairport.com/rent.htm
ANGEL FLIGHT
Pilots and ground support personnel are still needed for the local Angel Flight chapter. Angel Flight is a non-profit organization that arranges free private air travel on behalf of people in non-emergency medical need or for reasons of compassion and community service. A meeting with the local Angel Flight volunteers is planned for later this month. You can volunteer by completing the application found at: http://www.nrairport.com/angelflight/angelflight.htm
Just a reminder . . . 100LL is $1.95 per gallon and Jet A is $1.69 per gallon here at NRMA. Thanks again to Jay Griggs for keeping low fuel prices.
I'd love to hear your comments/suggestions http://www.nrairport.com/comments.htm
Thanks!
Mike Demulling
NRMA Manager
mike@nrairport.com