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Monday, December 14, 2009

Vardiman's Vector: Airport Manager Updates Nov-Dec 2009

Dear Airport Community,


Commercial Passenger Enplanements exceed 10,000...Airport Federal Grant Funding Entitlement increases to $1 million for FY2011 - The City of Prescott Airport Department is pleased to announce that for the first time since 1997, commercial revenue passenger enplanements have exceeded the 10,000 mark making the Prescott Municipal Airport (PRC) eligible for $1 million in FAA grant funding entitlements for the Federal Fiscal Year 2011 for airport capital improvements. On November 17, 2009, PRC exceeded the long sought after milestone for passenger enplanements which is credited to the recent success of the airline service to Los Angeles and Ontario , CA as well as to Farmington , NM and Denver , CO . For the past 12 years, PRC has only been entitled to $150,000 annually through the FAA Airport Improvements Program which is the primary funding source for airport capital improvement projects at PRC and across the nation. The increase of $850,000 will allow the City enhanced capabilities to continue to improve the safety and efficiency of PRC for the benefit of all users.


Airport Minimum Operating Standards...
City staff has decided to delay the presentation of the draft Airport Minimum Operating Standards (MOS) to the City Council. The delay will allow the Airport Working Group on the MOS to evaluate and address all of the recommended changes and suggestions that have been made regarding the document since it's publication at the beginning of the month. No new date has been scheduled for the presentation to the City Council but it is anticipated to occur after December when the new Council members are seated. We will strive to keep you informed of the progress of this document.


Have you noticed? A new color of Runway lights...Airport staff has completed the installation of new lens covers on the runway lights for the departure ends of Runway 3R and Runway 12. The new lens covers now bring the runways up to the FAA standards for lighting on instrument runways. The last 2,000 feet of both runways now has amber lenses to indicate the Caution Zone of the runways.


What's that new tower on Janine? ...The construction and installation for the operation of an FAA ADS-B site is nearing its end. This facility is being installed, operated, and maintained by an FAA contractor at no cost to the Airport at 6524 Janine Drive behind the old quonset hut. The ADS-B system is a crucial component of the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). ADS-B is designed to improve the safety, capacity and efficiency of the National Airspace System while providing a flexible expandable platform to accommodate future air traffic growth.


Airport web pages get a makeover... The Airport staff has unveiled the new airport portion of the City of Prescott web page. Designed to help get people the information they want quickly and efficiently, the new look includes a "main page" with links to the various services of the website including Planning and booking a commercial flight, pilot flight planning and services, Airport Administration information, Noise Abatement, and the Airport Master Plan. Another new feature is the capability to submit a work request through the website. With just a few key strokes on the computer, you can let us know of maintenance issues around the Airport which need attention. Combine this with being able to directly contact the administration or operations department via an email link and you can have instant contact to the Airport staff directly from the comfort of your home computer. Take a look the next time you are online http://www.prescott-az.gov/services/airport/ .


Airport implements 24 hour phone line... Have you ever wondered how to get in touch with the Airport staff late at night or early in the morning? Airport staff members are present daily from 4 am until midnight but you may ask yourself "Who do I call between 4 am and midnight?" This question was a puzzling one for many of you and was one which the Airport staff had not previously considered. The Airport staff has been working on a solution and believes that we have finally worked all of the "bugs" out of our new system. When you are confronted with that question, just look to the back of your Airport ID badge. The phone number 928-777-1150 has been set up to ring to an on-call cell phone which will be answered by an airport staff member who will provide you assistance.


Airport Beacon has moved....The new airport beacon has been installed down at the Bottleneck area adjacent to the airport lighting vault by the "P" hangar. This project included providing a modern airport beacon on a tilt-down pole which will greatly increase the safety and efficiency of maintaining the beacon. Additionally, an emergency generator was installed as part of this project. The emergency generator will provide for an emergency power supply to the new beacon as well as emergency power to Runway 21R/03L and Taxiway A which have not had a back up power supply since being constructed in the mid 90s. The old airport beacon was salvaged and will be loaned to Legend Aviation for display at their facility.


Airport Master Plan... The City of Prescott is awaiting completion of the FAA and ADOT Aeronautics review of the 2009 Airport Master Plan. Once the document has been reviewed and received FAA approval, it will be presented to the City Council for acceptance. Details on the status of the Airport Master Plan will be published as they become available.


Airport area roads the focus of fall construction... The City is currently constructing a waterline replacement and upgrade in the airport area. The south phase of construction started at the end of September and is anticipated to continue through November. The project includes relocating several water lines outside of the airport fence line and upgrading the water system. Some minor traffic delays in and around the roads of the airport can be expected. Temporary water service interruptions are anticipated occur for MacCurdy Dr, Janine Dr, Crystal Ln, and Ruger Rd for the first two weeks of November as the water line tie-ins occur to switch to the new service. Should you have questions, comments, or concerns regarding the project, or have special water needs related to service interruptions, please contact Sellers & Sons at 623.882.8929.


Sincerely,
Benjamin Vardiman, ACE
Airport Manager
Prescott Municipal Airport
Ernest A. Love Field
6546 Crystal Lane
Prescott, AZ 86301

Office: (928)-777-1114
Fax: (928)-771-5861
Email: ben.vardiman@prescott-az.gov

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Lots going on here...