NRMA NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 24TH, 2002

Welcome to the 50th 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 . . . . 

NRMA MAKES THE NEWS
KSTP-TV and the Minneapolis Star-Tribune broke the story a few days ago regarding former employees of Eden Prairie based Executive Aviation. The story surfaced following the October crash of the King Air carrying Senator Paul Wellstone. One of the former employees, Bryan Maloney, has a history here at NRMA, too. KSTP had a film crew here on November 14th. Here are links to the stories and video: http://www.kstp.com/article/view/57137/ 

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3435496.html

INSTANT IFR?
Dust and maybe even flying debris could be a problem next month. Demolition of the old Domain feed mill in downtown New Richmond is planned for an upcoming weekend in December. The exact date of the demolition is not set. Published reports state the feed mill will be imploded with several hundred charges strategically placed throughout the building. The implosion could cause a few problems for aircraft operating at NRMA. The feed mill is located approximately 1.3 miles south of the airport and directly below the traffic pattern for landing on runway 32. Experts at the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics stated an adequate safety area for aircraft is a 1-mile radius up to an altitude of 3000' above the ground. A NOTAM advising pilots of the exact time of the implosion and a recommendation to remain outside the boundaries of the danger area will be issued three days prior to the big event. 

AIRPORT WATCH
AOPA has teamed up with the federal government to form Airport Watch. Airport Watch is patterned after the familiar neighborhood watch programs in place throughout the United States. An AOPA press release states "Who better to know what belongs and what doesn't, what's normal and what's not, than the members of the local community? And that's what a general aviation airport is - a small community." Any suspicious activity should be reported to 866-GA-SECURE (866-427-3287). The hotline will be staffed 24 hours per day. Operators will immediately forward pertinent information to local authorities. The program includes all airports in the US and is scheduled to begin December 1st.

ULTRALIGHT OPERATIONS
The Airport Commission held a spirited discussion at the October meeting regarding special operating rules for ultralight vehicles. The original plan called for each ultralight vehicle operator to sign an agreement stating he/she will abide by the following ultralight vehicle rules while operating at NRMA:

- 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
- 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.

Things have changed just a bit. I attended an airport manager seminar in Wisconsin Rapids last month and had the opportunity to receive input regarding ultralight operations from a few other airport managers. NRMA is going to take a different approach to ultralights in 2003. The ultralight operating agreement will not be implemented. Instead, ultralight operators will be required to attend one of three training sessions planned for late winter - early spring 2003. The training sessions will focus on ultralight operating rules and practices. We are hoping the training sessions will be viewed as an opportunity for ultralight operators and certified pilots to work together to improve safety. 

AERONAUTICAL CHARTS
VFR and IFR charts are available at NRMA. Mike Demulling Flight Instruction is now an authorized FAA chart agent. Stop by Hangar 6-1 or e-mail me with your requests. 

LET'S HOPE WE NEVER HAVE TO USE THEM
NRMA purchased three 48" x 26" signs for use in the event the airspace above airport is closed because of flight restrictions. The red signs with white lettering clearly state "AIRPORT CLOSED - TAKE OFF AND LANDINGS OPERATIONS ARE PROHIBITED UNTIL FUTHER NOTICE." The signs will be placed at the various entrance points to the airport after receiving flight restriction notification from either the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics or the FAA. 

PICK ENTERPRISE
Getting a rental vehicle here just got a whole lot easier. A variety of Enterprise rental vehicles are now available for rent at NRMA. Enterprise is offering special hourly and daily rental rates, 10% discounts for AOPA members and a special $25 per day rate for flight crews. To arrange a rental, contact me at 715-246-7735 or by e-mail.

NORTH HANGAR AREA
Lot 12-8 in the north hangar area is once again available for lease. The lot can accommodate a building up to 80' wide x 120' deep. If you are interested in the lot, contact me at 715-246-7735 or by e-mail. To view a diagram of the north hangar area, go to http://www.nrairport.com/images/north%20layout%2011-2002.pdf

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 

A FEW OTHER THINGS
- Marty Shanklin, a resident of the east side of New Richmond, was appointed to the Airport Commission by Mayor Dave Schnitzler this month. Marty replaces former New Richmond business owner John Talmage, who stepped down in September. 

- A new security gate and fence are undergoing installation near the auto parking lot in the south hangar area at NRMA.

- Reflective tape was added to the top of the markers outlining runway 4-22

- The 2003 NRMA budget was presented to the Airport Commission in early October followed by the City Council Finance Committee in November. Final approval from the full City Council should come in December.

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. 

Upcoming Events:
Some weekend in December - Domain feed mill implosion in downtown New Richmond. Watch for NOTAM's
December 7, 2002 - The last pilot education seminar in the area for the year. 9-11:30 am in Janesville 
December 30, 2002 - Airport Commission meeting at the Civic Center in New Richmond

I'd love to hear your comments/suggestions http://www.nrairport.com/comments.htm


Thanks!

Mike Demulling
NRMA Manager
mike@nrairport.com