NRRA NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF DECEMBER 5, 2004

Welcome to the 62nd issue of NRRA News - an almost weekly, sometimes monthly, occasionally quarterly, summary of events at New Richmond Regional Airport. This newsletter is sent to approximately 245 individuals associated with NRRA.

WEB SITE ADDRESS . . . Check out the airport website at: http://www.nrairport.com . . . . 

IN THE AIRPORT BUSINESS, WE CALL THAT A POWER SURGE
The last week of October was expensive for NRRA. Lightning struck both the NDB (non-directional beacon) and airport lighting equipment during a small thunderstorm October 29th. The lightning knocked the NDB off the air for an hour or so after it struck the 50 foot antenna located on the east side of the airport. That problem was easily repaired after flipping a couple of circuit breakers. The runway lights were a different story, however. Lightning struck one of the threshold lights to runway 32. The underground transformer was totally, and I mean totally destroyed. All 68 runway lights were blown, as well as the lights inside the runway guidance signs. The runway light current regulator located in the brown building near the south auto parking lot was also seriously damaged. When I took off the front cover to the regulator and a bunch of burned parts fell out, I detected trouble. The runway end identifier lights (strobe lights at the end of the runway) are still out-of-service. The units were sent back to the manufacturer for a major overhaul. The ground communications outlet also received a zap. Overall, the runway was dark for only 1 night. Thanks to our light-bulb suppliers and FedEx, we had replacement bulbs in hand early the next day. Total cost to fix this little power surge is approaching 5 figures. The repairs are covered by insurance.

HANGARS FOR NEXT YEAR!
NRRA was approved for another hangar area construction project for 2005. Design work on the hangar area project is scheduled to begin this month. Bids will be advertised this winter, with construction occurring in the spring. The current plan calls for continuing the north hangar area to the northwest on existing airport land. The area will accommodate up to 30 more hangars. NRRA will begin accepting deposits for space in the new hangar area beginning January 3rd. More info to follow. . . .

HANGARS FOR THIS YEAR
The completion of the 2004 hangar improvements is allowing the construction of 16 new hangars in the private hangar area and 7 new large hangars in the corporate hangar area. Several hangars are under construction or will soon be under construction. Utility crews spent the month of November installing gas, electrical, and telephone lines in the new areas. Also, cable TV service is now available in the north hangar area. High speed internet via cable will soon be offered through the local Cable TV franchise, as an alternative to the DSL service now available through Frontier Communications. 

SNOW & ICE CONTROL
As usual, NRRA personnel will make a strong effort to keep the airport open even during major snowstorms. Typically, the runway and other paved surfaces will be plowed as soon as an accumulation of 1" of snow is present and continually plowed until the storm is over. In addition to snow removal, NRRA will try deicing runways this winter. FAA approved, solid runway deicing chemicals were purchased this fall along with a truck-mounted spreader. The chemicals are non-corrosive to aircraft, are heated prior to application, and generally improve braking action almost immediately as long as the outside air temperature is 15 degrees or higher. Check your NOTAM's for current braking action reports at NRRA. 

SECURITY FENCE 
The 2004 Homeland Security funded fencing project at NRRA is nearly completed. The security gates in the north and south hangar areas will become operational next week. Each hangar owner is being provided a unique access code and/or key fob allowing access through the gates when they are closed. The gates will be closed from 10 PM until 6 AM daily. The access codes should be shared with your hangar tenants. Hangar owners - watch your e-mail or US Mail for the access codes.
Phase 2 of the security fence project will include installation of security lighting near the gates and security cameras. The corporate hangar area gate will also become automated. Phase 2 could begin as early as this month and will be completed by July. 

NEW FLYING CLUB
A planning meeting for a new flying club at NRRA is scheduled for Sunday, December 12th. Local pilot Dave Dixon is spearheading the club. Dave is planning a club with 10-15 member/owners flying a new Alarus. http://www.newplane.com/. The Alarus will be on display at the meeting, which will begin at noon and will be held in hangar 6-1 at NRRA. Current plans call for fees of roughly $30/hr not including fuel and $55 per month membership fee in addition to the initial buy-in. Please let Dave know if you can attend the meeting - ddixon@comcast.net . Everyone is invited. 

NEAR MISS
I received word in November the Highway Section of the Wisconsin DoT needed to move the airport sign, located near STH 65 and Airport Road, a few feet to the west. This is the very same sign that was installed last June, involved a lot of hard work by many people, and overall, looks pretty nice. The sign apparently interfered with the STH 64 project that is underway just south of the Airport. Thanks to some quick phone calls to the Highway Section from the Aeronautics Section of the Wisconsin DoT, the sign is staying. The STH 64 project involves the construction of a four-lane freeway type highway from Houlton, WI right to the Airport's front door. Major work will occur in the area next summer. The project is scheduled for completion in 2006. Once it is completed, Stillwater will only be a 10 to 12 minute drive.
http://www.nrairport.com/profile.htm
http://www.dot.state.wi.us/projects/d6/wis35-64/index.htm

JUST A REMINDER
Thanks to Jay Griggs of Griggs Aviation for keeping low fuel prices at NRRA. Self-serve 100LL is $2.39 per gallon and Jet A is $2.34. Both Avgas and Jet fuel are available from the fuel trucks for another $.25 per gallon. 


Thanks!

Mike Demulling
NRRA Manager
mike@nrairport.com