/StateAviationJournal-May-June2011

State Aviation Journal Issue #11

May/June 2011

GAAC

National Coalition Goes to Battle for General Aviation Airports

False River

Regional Airport

A Test Bed for Solar Powered LED Lights

Louisiana

A Focus on Aviation in the Pelican State Yvonne Chenevert, Manager of Louisiana’s False River Regional Airport and GAAC member.

The Houma-Terrebonne Airport and Industrial Park in Louisiana.

Contents From the Publisher: America’s Resolve.................................Page 4 Guest Commentary: FAA’s Safety Mission Still on Top with New Initiatives.............................................Page 5 Nevada Airports Association Annual Conference...................Page 6 FAA Western Pacific Region Airports Conference..................Page 8 Colorado Airport Operators Host Annual Meeting..................Page 11 Former NASAO VP Leads Harrisburg ADO..........................Page 13 New National Coalition Stands Up for GA Airports ..............Page 14 Louisiana Aviation Focus Section...........................................Page 16 Aviation Intern Program..........................................................Page 19 Aviation Remains a Key Component in GCR’s Global Growth.........................................................Page 22 False River Regional Airport - Test Bed for Solar LED.........Page 24 Louisiana Aviation: An Extraordinary History in Photographs...........................................................Page 26 Page 2

May/June 2011 State Aviation Journal Page 2 State Aviation Journal May/June 2011

On The Cover

Yvonne Chenevert, manager of False River Regional airport and Treasurer of the Louisiana Airport Managers & Associates, (LAMA) is a member of GAAC. Chenevert was attracted to the coalition because of the resources being offered: online forums, information webinars, interaction between airports nationwide, and newsletters on congressional issues.

Chenevert says all of those items can assist and help any airport that joins - more information and more networking always give more possible solutions to any situation. Cover photo by Deonna Wheeler.

Publisher/Editor/ Graphic Design/ Layout Design/ Photography/

Advertising Director

Kim J. Stevens Andrew Stevens Andrew Stevens Kim Stevens Shahn Sederberg Amy Taborsky

Kathleen Stevens

Conntributing Writers Lara Jackson Andrea Brennan Scott Malta

Stacy Howard

May/June 2011 State Aviation Journal Page 3 May/June 2011 State Aviation Journal Page 3

From the Publisher

America’s Resolve

The world may be going to hell in hand-basket, but just ask the folks across this country whose focus is on rebuilding their lives - think Joplin - and you will see that the “true American spirit” is as strong as ever. You know the one, the spirit that says “we’re not down for the count.”

For them, hope is still alive, born of a strong work ethic, and a resolve to embrace the freedom and opportunity that still exists in the country.

These are the folks that are working hard for their families, their businesses, their communities and for their future. This was evident in the people introduced to us in this issue as we focused on aviation in Louisiana. Folks whose lives and businesses stood in harms way as hurricanes ravaged the Pelican State and the political, financial and environmental impact of the oil spill in the Gulf was felt.

It’s refreshing and inspiring to be around folks whose zeal for life is stronger than the heartache and depression that stares them in the face. We don’t, of course, take for granted the hurt that accompanies loss of life, property and lively-hood, but what makes America strong is the individual strength I think each of us possess to step up when calamity strikes, to reach out to our neighbors and friends, to use our resources to help get folks back on their feet.

In the publishing business they say bad news sells. These days more than ever we get bombarded with negativity, with what’s wrong with the world. I’m often tempted to fall into that trap. But for me, I’d rather write for a few who appreciate hearing good and positive news than for thousands who gravitate to the alternative.

My philosophy has always been to promote the good, the positive and the fun side of aviation. That doesn’t mean we keep a blind eye to the dark side. It’s a journalist’s responsibility to keep things in check, something many in the current media seem to forget.

As each issue of the magazine is published it represents for me the opportunity to get to know this country and the people that work in the aviation industry a little bit better.

And that fires me up! Let’s not get so tangled up in the weeds that we miss the good that exists in the world around us. The staff of the State Aviation Journal will do our best to share how we see the world, but take time to take a fresh look for yourself.

As the beer commercial says, “stay thirsty my friend.” Crave life and experience it!

Page 4

State Aviation Journal

May/June 2011

Guest Commentary

FAA Safety Mission Still Tops New Initiatives

By Bill Withycombe

Aviation is at a crossroads. Increasing demand for air travel, rising fuel prices, congested airspace, and environmental constraints have combined as never before to create unprecedented challenges.

As of this writing, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is operating under a Continuing Resolution, the 19th since last being fully funded in 2007. As the debates over FAA funding levels continue, we must not waver in our commitment to aviation safety. For us in the FAA, business as usual is not an option.

A few years ago, the FAA announced a major new program to fundamentally change the way we manage airspace and control air traffic. Called the Next Generation Air Transportation System – NextGen – it is our long-range plan to overhaul the National Airspace System. NextGen will increase capacity, reduce delays, lessen emissions, minimize the noise footprint near airports while making air travel safer and more efficient.

As NextGen technologies like Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), Enroute Automation Modernization (ERAM) and others gradually came on board, we identified areas in the FAA Flight Plan and our organizational structure that could be improved.

Destination 2025 and the Foundation for Success, initiatives recently introduced by FAA Administrator Randy Babbitt, will provide the corporate tools we need to ensure NextGen’s success.

Destination 2025, the FAA’s new Strategic Plan, will help us reach the next level of safety, prepare our workforce for the future, provide the tools we need to work more effectively with industry, and establish uniform global standards with our international partners.

The Foundation for Success will bring a renewed focus on shared internal services, a new governance model, a transformation in human resource management and an emphasis on effective implementation of NextGen. While some of these initiatives will require Congressional approval, we are confident they will offer the right structure to achieve our organizational goals and provide the framework for successful implementation of NextGen. FAA’s airspace redesign efforts are also being transformed.

Through the Metroplex Optimization of Airspace and Procedures concept, we’ve begun to focus our airspace redesign efforts on large metropolitan geographic areas rather than single airports. Metroplex design activities have already begun in certain parts of the country, including the San Francisco Bay area and Southern California. The Metroplex Optimization Program will provide a foundation for continuing NextGen implementation activities.

We are proud of our safety record and are continually seeking ways to enhance aviation safety. Calls to Action are an effec-

tive way to bring focused attention to a specific area of concern. The First Call to Action was initiated in 2007 in response to an increasing number of runway incursions. Since then, we’ve initiated Calls to Action on Airline and General Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Controller Training and Professionalism.

While the Calls to Bill Withycombe Action all utilize different approaches, they have one thing in common. That is to provide a focused look at a specific safety concern, and through collaboration with our partners, identify effective solutions.

Earlier this month, I met with the aviation directors from the States and Territories in the FAA’s Western-Pacific Region (Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, American Samoa, Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands).

Annual meetings and quarterly telecons are part of a commitment we made with the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) back in 1996 when the FAA entered into a formal Memorandum of Understanding with NASAO. The FAA partnership with NASAO is extremely important.

Over the years, we have agreed to work cooperatively on a number of significant issues including obstruction evaluation, land use planning, instrument approach procedures, and most recently, mitigating wildlife hazards and implementing NextGen. This partnership has been beneficial to both the FAA and NASAO and has led directly to significant improvements in safety and efficiency in the National Airspace System.

The FAA has a long history of dealing with change. From paper and pencil based time, speed and distance separation of aircraft, through the advent of radar, to Global Positioning System and digital communications, the FAA has effectively weathered change. But one thing has remained the same – our safety mission. Aviation safety remains at the core of everything we do. Whatever changes the future may bring, we will maintain our focus on safety.

William Withycombe is FAA’s Regional Administrator for the Western Pacific Region.

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 5

Nevada Airports Association, Hosts 2011 Conference The Nevada Airports Association, (NvAA) formerly known as Nevada Airport Managers Association, was chartered over ten years ago to provide a forum for airport industry professionals to communicate more effectively and address the unique concerns for airport development in Nevada. At that time Nevada was the only U.S. state without an assistance program for airport capital improvements, and airport managers best opportunities for training were primarily in neighboring states through the Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives, (SWAAAE).

Since then, NvAA has offered annual educational seminars to association members, appeared before the State Transportation Board and meetings of the Nevada Association of Counties and testified before state legislators to promote aviation development. In 2003, legislators created the Nevada State Fund for Aviation, and in 2005 they made their first appropriation to the fund of $500,000.

Under Nevada DOT guidance eighteen airports leveraged those state dollars into nearly $20 million in federal AIP grants for runway rehabilitation, taxiway construction, land acquisition, approach lighting and more. This “jump start” by the State Legislature has motivated airports and NDOT to work closely together to find a permanent and sustainable source for the Aviation Fund.

During their 2011 State Aviation Conference at the Atlantis Resort and Conference Center in Reno, Nevada, Elko Municipal Airport Director Trent Moyer turned the gavel over to NvAA’s new president Wendy Rudder. Rudder is a 2nd generation native Nevadan, born and raised in Lincoln County, Alamo, Nevada. She and her husband Burt own and operate Lincoln Air and Rudder Construction, Inc., and share a passion for flying. Wendy serves as Vice Chairman of the Lincoln County Airport Authority. Along with assuming presidential duties for the Nevada Airports Association, Wendy was elected Chairman of the Nevada Aviation Technical Advisory Committee (NATAC) and will take a seat at the table for the State Transportation Technical Advisory Committee (STTAC).

The NvAA conference was attended by rural Nevada airport managers, corporate and associate sponsors, and representatives from the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. Conference sessions included updates from the National Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Department of Defense, Applied Research Associates, the Bureau of Land Management and FAA.

The Changing Face of Business Aviation Steve Brown and Regional Representative Dan Burkhart briefed NvAA on the changing face of business aviation and shared National Business Aviation Association’s perspective on 21st Century national and international flying. Brown addressed the economic benefits of government investment in

Page 6

State Aviation Journal

Wendy Rudder & Trent Moyers transportation infrastructure and pointed to portions of the FAA Reauthorization bills that specifically impact business aviation such as the phase out rate for Stage II aircraft, airport curfews and noise abatement procedures that pre-empt local authority.

Steve updated airport managers on what NBAA hopes to see in the Large Aircraft Security Program (LASP) rewrite anticipated for release this fall. “Expect weight limits to increase,” said Brown, “with more focus on throw weight or fuel capacity, and easier airport access for aircraft operated under an approved program…”

As more American companies fly business aircraft into foreign countries, demand for long-range capability is increasing, said Brown. Concerns about aircraft and crew safety and security, especially when traveling into developing markets, need to be addressed in advance by company staff. These include airport security, safe food handling and safe fuel handling.

NBAA predicts the number one challenge to business aviation in Europe could be scheduled expansion of the EU Emissions Taxing System (ETS) to aviation in 2012. ETS taxes CO2 emissions using an allowance and trade mechanism.

Extension of ETS to aircraft is being challenged in international court because ICAO treaties prohibit countries from taxing outside their own territories.

NBAA summarized their presentation with an invitation to their October 2011 conference in Las Vegas. NBAA is returning to Nevada after a seven-year absence.

Western Regional Representative of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association, (AOPA) Stacy Howard, updated NvAA members on the organization’s legislative activities in Nevada.

Among the bills being monitored is AB182 authorizing creation of Inland Port Authorities.

AB182 allows an IPA to form wherever multiple transpor-

May/June 2011

tation infrastructure such as highway, rail and airports, are located in close proximity and away from residential areas. As written, the bill requires approval from the airport sponsor, and protects the rights of airports to operate within FAA compliance standards. AB182 could provide strong economic development possibilities for Nevada airports like Silver Springs in Storey County located near the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center on I-80.

Howard encouraged NvAA to get involved in Connecting Nevada, the state’s 50 year transportation plan now in progress and to prepare for the 2013 legislative session by updating their economic impact data and making use of AOPA’s Airport Support Network and materials available on the AOPA and GAServes websites to promote local airports.

Howard explained ways in which FAA’s latest Safety Management Systems (SMS) NPRM for Part 139 airports (FAA2010-0997) could apply to non-commercial service airports in the future, and recommended NvAA members view comments submitted by Randy Walker, Director of the Clark County Department of Aviation. Clark County operates fives airport in southern Nevada including the state’s busiest, Las Vegas McCarran International, two thriving general aviation relievers, North Las Vegas and Henderson Executive, and two small GA airports, Jean Sport Aviation Center and Searchlight. Clark County’s broad range of experience renders exceptional insight into the management and fiscal challenges to implementing SMS for airports. Clark County comments and questions about the NPRM could help all operators in Nevada understand possible impacts to their own community airport.

Nevada’s climate lends itself readily to the adoption of renewable energy. At the same time, Nevada is host to some of the most intense military aviation training activity in the nation. Are the two compatible? Not always, is the answer from Department of Defense, and Terry Hansen, Airspace Encroachment and Sustainment Manager for Marine Corps Installations West.

There have been several close calls with Met Towers during wild land fire operations, according to Hansen. Met Towers are temporary towers erected to record meteorological data for the wind turbine industry. Because they are less than 200 feet AGL, Met towers are not lighted nor marked on aeronautical charts.

“These towers are determined no hazard by FAA standards, and they come and go with little notice making them dangerous for low level operations like crop dusting and some military aircraft.” said Hansen. “Large wind turbine installations have known impacts on long-range radar, air traffic control radar and airborne radar testing,” added Hansen, and “Questions are still to be answered about weather radar and wind shear.” Hansen expressed appreciation for passage of a number of ordinances in California that force alternative energy vendors to obtain DOD approval for wind farm locations.

Krys Bart, Director of the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority gave an enthusiastic report on the vitality and promising future of the Reno-Tahoe Airport. Operations were up 5% in the first quarter in 2011, according to Bart, with 71 departures and 8300 passenger seats per day. Bart offered her expertise and that of her staff to help NvAA and its members, and invited them to participate

Robert Moss, Esmeralda County Airport, left and Dan Burkhart, NBAA. in training programs operated by RNO whenever possible.

As President Rudder wrapped up the NvAA 2011 conference, she committed herself and her new Board of Directors to continuing improvements to the NvAA website with a goal to making it a premier resource for Nevada’s rural airport managers. She and Board members will partner with NDOT and the NATAC to reactivate the state’s aviation license plate, a specialty automobile plate that deposits $25 into the State Fund for Aviation with each purchase and renewal; and to help develop a best practices guide for Nevada airport managers. The future looks bright for the Nevada Airports Association, and NvAA’s new president is loaded with polish to keep it that way.

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 7

One of many workshops this year at the FAA’s Western Pacific Region Airports Conference

FAA Looks to Build Strategic Partnerships at Airports Conference

By Scott Malta Located a few blocks from Disney Land in Anaheim, CA, the very nice Hyatt Regency Hotel was the site of the 7th Annual Airports Conference, hosted by the FAA Division of Airports, Western-Pacific Region. The conference, with the theme, “Advocating For Your Airport While Building Strategic Partnerships,” ran from June 7th thru the 9th.

The conference was opened by the Master of Ceremonies, Robin Hunt, Manager of the San Francisco Airports District Office and with welcoming remarks presented to the over 400 attendees by the host, Mark McClardy, Manager, Airports Division, Western-Pacific Region and the Regional Administrator, William Withycombe.

One of the unique things about this conference is that the opening morning is filled with reports from: the Department’s of Transportation from Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, (California was absent due to the on-going budget melt-down in the state); the Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Island; Guam; American Samoa; and the Airport Manager Associations: Arizona Airports Association (AzAA); Association of California AirMark McClardy ports (ACA); Nevada Airports Association (NvAA) and Southwest Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives (SWAAAE). There is no other conference that has provided such a broad spectrum of interesting reports from such a far-reaching area as this conference, particularly during the presentations from the Pacific

Page 8

State Aviation Journal

Island areas.

The next item on the packed agenda following the opening remarks and association reports was the Awards Luncheon with Master of Ceremonies, Brian Armstrong, Manager, Los Angeles Airports District Office. The luncheon speaker was the incomparable, Catherine (Kate) Lang, Acting FAA Associate Administrator for Airports.

Listening to Kate speak is a real treat, not because she tells you what you want to hear, unfortunately, all too often, far from it, but because you understand that she is a very straight-shooter and true airport advocate.

Right away you get a sense of her professionalism and her no nonsense way. Kate provided an in-depth and detailed Washington Kate Lang update on several issues affecting the FAA and airports, not the least of which is the on-going issue of the FAA budget reauthorization, or lack thereof. The luncheon concluded with several awards being presented, (see the related follow-on State Aviation Journal article for more details). Briefly, those awards were: - “Airport Safety Award” -- to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport - “Outstanding Airport Award” – to Las Vegas McCarran International Airport - “Herman C. Bliss Partnership Award” – to US Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services Office - Runway Safety Office “Special Award” – to Guam.

May/June 2011

Following the luncheon, the attendees were treated to an excellent, diverse, two-day business program. Again, this conference is unique in that most of the speakers in the many sessions were the no-kidding FAA subject matter experts for the given topics. The topics covered a multitude of appropriate and timely issues facing airports today. A sampling of the over 35 sessions included: - FAA Through the Fence Policy - Runway Safety Area Compliance by 2015 - New Airport Marking Standards - Improper Payments & Changes to Payment Process - FAA Solar Panel Guidance - Wildlife Hazard Management Plan - Update on Safety Management Systems (SMS) Policy - Various Case Studies Several of the sessions will be covered in some detail in later State Aviation Journal articles.

Prior to the conclusion of this exceptional conference at noon on Thursday, many attended the special workshop entitled, “Planning for a New Runway.” This excellent workshop covered the entire process from Planning and Environmental Considerations to Justifying Your New Runway/Runway Extension to NAVAIDS and Charting Considerations. While this workshop was very important to those actually intending to build a new runway or extend an existing one, the rest of the

attendees also received a real good understanding of the FAA processes, considerations, critical paths and those FAA professionals involved with them.

To wrap this article up, it would be appropriate to quote from William Withycombe’s written comments as printed in the conference agenda: “This year’s theme, “Advocating for your Airport while Building Strategic Partnerships,” is certainly appropriate. We are experiencing the safest period ever in aviation history. But maintaining our safety edge requires vigilance, initiative and vision. This conference provides each of you with an opening to renew existing partnerships, build new ones and promote your airport to ensure that our aviation system remains as safe as possible. The future will bring increased demands on our aviation infrastructure. The only sure way to meet those demands is through effective planning and solid partnerships.”

Speaking as one of the conference attendees, let me conclude by saying, “Mission accomplished, well done Western-Pacific Region… Thank You for another great conference!”

Scott C. Malta, A.A.E., C.A.E., manages Castle Airport in Merced County, California and is 1st vice President of SWAAE. He is a retired USAF Captain.

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 9

Subscribe To Weekly Skybrief

Visit StateAviationJournal.com and click on subscribe in the upper right hand corner for a complimentary weekly newsletter!

Page 10 State Aviation Journal

May/June 2011

Colorado Airport Operators Hold Conference

“Commercial Economic Development at DIA.” Norm Higley, DIA Director of Environmental Services, and Stephen Barrett, Harris Miller Miller & Hanson, Inc. Director of Clean Energy, provided an important break out session on “Airport Energy Sustainability.”

Enrichment sessions for airport professionals were offered. ADK Executive Search President, Doug Kuelpman, presented “Future Airport Professionals.” Senior Wildlife Biologist Dennis McGraw of S.E.H. Natural Resources Practice Center reviewed the ever important topic of “Wildlife Management for Airports.”

Special guest speaker, Dr. Ronald M. Sega of Colorado State University and former astronaut for Space Shuttles Discovery in 1994 and Atlantis in 1996, provided an informative banquet program on energy conservation and the environment. FAA ADO and FSDO, CDOT Division of Aeronautics, Fort Collins and Loveland elected Ken Lawson, Assistant Director of Aviation at Front Range Airport (FTG) and leaders also participated in the conference.

CAOA Board member, learns more about Burns & McDonnell’s off-airport Exhibitors were Aerometric, Inc.; Armstrong computer program to assist with development decisions from expert, Robert Consultants, Inc.; AvTech Marketing, Inc.; Burns Crain. & McDonnell; CGRS; Colorado Asphalt Pavement Association; Cryotech Deicing Technology;

By Penny Rafferty Hamilton Flint Trading, Inc.; Grip-Flex Surfacing/Ameriseal of Ohio, Inc.; Hi-Lite Markings; Jviation Inc.; Kolbe Striping; Lamp, Fort Collins-Loveland Airport sponsored the recent Colorado Rynearson & Associates; Leading Edge Strategies; MYSLIK, Airport Operators Association (CAOA) Conference held June Inc.; Nachurs Alpine Solutions Industrial (NASi); SRC Avia1-3 in Loveland. Important programs and networking opportunities for airport managers, aviation and elected leaders, airport tion, LLC; Transwest Trucks; USDA-Wildlife Services; and Vance Brothers, Inc. consultants, and aviation industry professionals were offered at the well-attended statewide meeting.

Photos by Penny Hamilton Catherine “Kate” Lang, FAA Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports kicked off the meeting with a Key Note Address.

“One size does not fit every airport. Each airport has different circumstances. We (the FAA) are good on supporting and communicating with the commercial side,” she said.

“We need to work harder for GA airports. We are interested in a dialog. We need to look at what are our essential services and how do we balance resources?” Lang continued. In response to a question from new Greeley-Weld County Airport Manager, Gary Cyr, about the FAA view and support of the contract tower program, Lang said, “The FAA view is it has been successful. Because technology is changing and expanding constantly and will continue to do so in the future, we may see more and different future options in this important area.”

Other presenters and topics were Bruce Tarletsky of Sabre Airline Solutions on “Airport Air Service Development,” Heidi Ann Benaman of the Faith Group, LLC on “Airport Safety Management Systems,” and, Annell Kuelpman of ADK ExecuSteven Cowell, President of SRC Aviation, Inc, an exhibitor at tive Search sharing important information on “The Modern the recent CAOA conference and experienced aviation safety Airport Executive.” professional, shares a chart indicating the SMS development Denver International Airport (DIA) Deputy Manager of Aviaprocess and preferred time line. tion and chief Commercial Officer, John Ackerman, covered

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 11

Page 12 State Aviation Journal

May/June 2011

Former NASAO VP Uses State Experience to Run ADO

By Kim Stevens Lori Pagnanelli, Manger of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Harrisburg Airports District Office (ADO) since January of 2008, uses her past experience as Vice President of the National Association of State Aviation Officials in managing her day to day operations. “We are working hard to strengthen our relationship with our three states,” said Pagnanelli, who works with airports in the states of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. “I work on a daily basis with representatives from those states, so having the background that I learned through NASAO about the state aviation agencies’ operations has been extremely helpful.”

With the numerous extensions of the AIP reauthorization, Pagnanelli has found it to be critical that they continue to maintain a close working relationship with the states so that they can more effectively allocate AIP funds to the most needed planning and development projects within their jurisdiction. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is also a Block Grant State, so according to Pagnanelli, being involved in NASAO’s Block Grant Committee while at the association has allowed her to work more cooperatively with the state and to better understand their issues.

“Understanding the states’ funding programs has helped me more effectively develop our annual ACIPs in the ADO,” said Pagnanelli.

Pagnanelli thinks that there are ways the FAA and the states can continue to strengthen their relationship. “Over the past few years, we have conducted several AIP workshops in cooperation with our states to assist sponsors and consultants in gaining a better understanding of the grant management process,” said Pagnanelli. “We also provide presentations during the states’ annual conferences.”

Pagnanelli has a history with the FAA. Prior to joining NASAO, Pagnanelli worked as a senior planner in the Planning and Environmental Division in FAA’s Office of Airports in Washington D.C. She rejoined the FAA in her current position after spending eight years with NASAO. When asked what were the best things about being the ADO Manager, Pagnanelli said the ADO staff is dedicated and hardworking. “It makes managing such a great team easy.” “I truly enjoy being an ADO Manager because everyday brings on a new challenge at a different airport with a unique issue,” said Pagnanelli, “including anything from compliance to planning to engineering to environmental.”

To relax, Pagnanelli, who holds a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Maryland, says

Lori Pagnanelli

she really enjoys spending time with her family which includes having her son home for the summer from Penn State, where he is a senior. Pagnanelli lives with her husband Ken, in the Annapolis area. After the long commute home each day, one avenue for relaxation is spending time with her husband on the family sailboat. “He is working on teaching me how unwind on the water!”

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 13

New Coalition Stands Up for GA Airports Former State Aviation Officials Help Lead Effort

By Kim Stevens The general aviation industry is an integral part of the U.S. economy - creating jobs, generating revenue, attracting business and industry, providing a transportation lifeline to communities across the country, helping businesses succeed, and supporting people and communities in times of crisis.

To press home this point and advocate for general aviation airports in Washington D.C., a new national organization was formed this year that hopes to do what other organizations could not, would not, or have not done effectively in the past.

The creation of the General Aviation Airports Coalition, (GAAC) came to be after “lots of talking with others in the aviation business,” said Richard Lewis, founder and current Aviation Director for the Concord Regional Airport in Concord, North Carolina, “particularly at the general aviation airport level.”

For the last five years at conferences and workshops, Lewis talked about the need to organize general aviation (GA) airports and the feedback he received was positive. Lewis said he would listen to problems the managers of GA airports were having such as dealing with unfunded mandates, lack of resources and staffing, and dealing with regulations or the lack of regulations specific to the smaller, non Part 139 airports.

“At the meetings we would hear from other aviation organizations telling us what the problems in aviation are and what they were doing about them,” said Lewis, “without including the GA Airport.” Lewis said the focus was on the larger commercial service airports. “No one got to the GA Airport level nor did they ask,” said Lewis. Lewis feels the reason was because GA airports were unorganized with no focused voice to address their needs.

“General Aviation plays a critical role in our nation’s economy” For Kent Penney, A.A.E., Aviation Director for the City of Fort Worth, Texas, having an organization that focuses on general aviation, which is the foundation of the GAAC, is what is most important. “General Aviation plays a critical role in our nation’s economy, and to have an organization that has its focus on equipping airports, specifically for meeting general aviation needs, is equally critical,” said Penney. “I admire what has been done by various organizations for years to help airports with addressing the needs for commercial passenger services but the general aviation aspect often was an after-thought.”

Penney says that an organization that sees general aviation as its foundation, is one that he believes is best suited to see solid results for the benefit of general aviation.

Page 14 State Aviation Journal

The concept, according to Lewis, didn’t come together until, after several years of talk. The Ferguson Group, a government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C., provided staff time to organize the effort to bring a group together across the country, and according to Lewis, “with their knowledge in the area of organizing a loose group with a passion, the organization started.”

“I think it’s about time that GA airports were Richard Lewis represented by a strong national organization whose only loyalty is to its members in the GA airport community,” said Ken Wiegand, Collin County Regional Airport Executive Director in McKinney, Texas. “After all, when you consider GA’s economic impact, you wonder why we didn’t have an organization decades ago.”

General aviation’s overall economic output in the U.S. is estimated at $150 billion annually, supporting more than 1.2 million jobs. The economic impact of GA is included in the GAAC’s 2011 Platform which is to; Demonstrate the importance of GA airports; Increased federal funding for GA airports; Increased flexibility for AIP entitlement funds; and Oppose unfunded mandates and user fees.

Early in 2011 an email campaign was initiated to promote the GAAC as an organization and to encourage membership. “I received a general e-mail calling for GA managers to join a new organization that would advocate for GA airports only,” said Wiegand. “I admit I was skeptical at first; I mean how many times are we going to try this.” Wiegand said, although this concept has been tried and failed in the past, that “this time” it seems different. “I have been in the lonely and rather scary position of defending the GA airports I have managed where I could have used the influence of an outside advocacy group,” said Wiegand.

Part of the challenge for smaller airports is the fact that many of the managers wear several hats. Sometimes, according to Lewis, its the same person that runs the FBO, or its only a part time job. Lewis says his best example is a manager of an

May/June 2011

airport near Charlotte. He will sell the fuel, put the product in the aircraft, fix the refueler if it breaks down, cut the grass, fix the runway lights, work with tenants, manage projects and go to the City Council and Administration to fight for his budget.

“When does he have time to represent his airport or travel to Washington, or attend meetings in the state.” Lewis says that these airport managers need help and that is why GAAC has been formed, to help GA airport managers across the country to do their job and help their communities.

“I would like to see GAAC become a strong voice for GA airports at home, in Washington and state capitals across the country,” said Wiegand. “It’s a big job that will require financial support and involvement by individual GA airports.” Wiegand said he would like to see the manager of a very small GA airport testify before Congress on behalf of his/her contemporaries on issues that he/she understands and is willing to stand up for, because GAAC prepared him or her for the task.

Lewis said there is a need to represent as many airports as possible and also a need to have others that support our mission to join and help financially. “We need to create a action plan that will make a difference with our membership and distribute this plan to the local level so that when our elected officials and their staff return to the “grass roots” our members,” said Lewis, “can talk off the same page and show them how, we as GA airports, make a difference in our communities.”

As former state aviation officials, both Wiegand and Penney think the states can play a big role in the future of GAAC. “I think the states should get involved by becoming dues-paying members of GAAC and the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO),” said Wiegand, a former Director of the Virginia Department of Aviation. “They could conduct regular GA airport economic impact studies; make better use of the power vested in their state governments to tout GA airports and garner political and financial support for locally owned airports.”

“I believe the states are a perfect partner with GAAC,” said Penney, a former Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics. “I think there are two ways that state aviation departments can assist GAAC. One is to get the word out about this new organization to the airports within the state. Second is to provide feedback to GAAC regarding issues states are dealing with their airports about, so that GAAC Kent Penney can provide help.”

Many GA airports will only go to the state conferences, so a key role that GAAC can play, according to Penney, is to provide presentation materials on various current subjects. “By providing these presentation materials, GAAC can help enhance the state conference without requiring the airports to attend yet another conference,” said Penney, who is a member of the GAAC Local Committee. “I would envision each GAAC committee producing 2-3 Ken Wiegand presentations a year which would then be available for state aviation associations to use as they see fit.” Penney said he realizes that recently, the Transportation Research Board’s Aviation Cooperative Research Program is producing new resources, and sees these materials from GAAC as something complimentary to the TRB items.

“Perhaps NASAO should consider getting involved in GAAC,” said Wiegand. “I think that both organizations have a lot to gain by partnering.” Wiegand said that NASAO would be the ideal GA airport advocacy group if each and every state would get behind it with the power of their state governments and their financial support.

“I have worked with Richard Walls in his position as Director of the NCDOT Division of Aviation and though our North Carolina Airports Association (NCAA),” said Lewis. “Richard is a founding member.” Lewis has asked Walls as well as other state directors for support to convince airports to join GAAC. “In my opinion most state associations and state aviation departments do a good job representing GA Airports in their respective states,” said Lewis. “Our focus is the federal level.”

Education of the elected, staff, and regulators in Washington [D.C.] is very important, but also, according to Lewis, is the education of our GA airport members and non members so that when congressional representatives return home, our GAAC members across the country can “spread the GA airport agenda and make a difference.”

Where does GAAC go from here? “Full speed ahead,” said Lewis. “I feel we have gotten a very good response and the concept of a GA airport organization at the national level is needed.” Lewis said that they have talked to several organizations with a response that the gap they are filling is needed to insure that the country’s GA airport issues are addressed. The next steps include continued membership marketing. “Numbers are very important to gain credibility for GAAC,” said Lewis.

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 15

a n a i s i u o L

Special Focus

n o i t a i v A

By Andrea Brennan When hearing the phrase “weathering the storm,� Louisiana might well come to mind. The diverse aviation infrastructure of more than 780 public and private airports and heliports, including 62 general aviation airports, serves corporate, cargo, commercial, and military needs in varying weather and terrain conditions.

Page 16 State Aviation Journal

May/June 2011

Louisiana Shows Resiliency, Sees Bright Future Continued from previous page.

These facilities, and the people managing them, have resiliently survived natural and economic crises; many are now preparing for a bright, innovative, and prosperous future that includes improved facilities, NextGen implementation, and expanded services.

The mission of the Aviation Section within the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) is an overall responsibility for management, development, and guidance for Louisiana’s aviation system, said Director Brad Brandt. The program’s clients, Brandt explained, include the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), for whom LADOTD monitors all publicly-owned airports within Louisiana to determine compliance with Federal guidance, oversight, and capital improvement grants. The program also serves aviators and the general public, for whom it regulates airports and provides airways lighting and electronic navigation aids to enhance both flight and ground safety. Through programs such as General Aviation and Air Carrier Maintenance, Obstruction Removal Safety, and GA Enhancement, LADOTD Aviation Section has helped airports receive funding for over 135 capital improvement projects in 2010, stated Brandt. This represents significant growth, he said; in 2004, the Aviation Section funded roughly 40 projects.

The New Iberia Parish Airport Authority is an example of an airport preparing for future aviation needs to serve the business community. Acadiana Regional Airport Director Jason Devillier is working with a master plan that will make Acadiana a “one-stop aviation shop” that includes an expanded industrial and business park. “We’re working toward improved future access to I-49 and the port,” said Devillier, as construction of State Highway 90 develops into completion of a North-South Interstate highway intersecting with I-10. Current tenants of Acadiana use the facility for transportation— helicopters flying to and from oil drilling platforms— and for maintenance—a major cargo carrier repaints 757 and MD-80 aircraft. The airport is also used Wade Troth for charter flights for military (256th National Guard Squadron) and academia (University of Louisiana-Lafayette). However, the Port of Iberia is only 1.5 miles away, Devillier pointed out, and the airport offers an air traffic control tower, firefighting services, and a 8,000-foot runway that can accommodate 747 and 777 aircraft. The parish

Brad Brandt Airport Authority is poised to develop 1800 acres of land as an industrial site, Devilier added, including prime locations next to the Acadiana taxiway.

Across Louisiana, many airports have been upgraded with RNAV (GPS) procedures and NextGen-level systems such as Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B), said Allen Taylor, LADOTD Airways System Manager. The first phase of ADS-B is being implemented in the Gulf region for helicopter offshore operations, providing enhanced safety: “I’m pleased with the ADS-B performance to date,” said Taylor. State and Federal grants have funded other vital airport improvements all around Louisiana, he said. For example, in the northern regions where icing occurs, LADOTD has and is installing generators to provide emergency power for lighting.

The Aviation Section works with an airport sponsor to make sure current airport infrastructure is in good condition, safe for operation, and adequate, said LADOTD Assistant Aviation Director Wade Troth. “The Aviation Section believes the core of attracting any aviation business to an airport is to have: an airport that is safe and usable; facilities and infrastructure that are currently adequate for the flying public; adequate land available for current facilities; and land available for future expansion.

Through the use of Master Plans, Action Plans, Airport Layout Plans, and meetings with airport sponsors throughout the year, we develop and implement Capital Improvement Plans to meet our objectives and put the airport in a better position to attract aviation businesses.”

The Aviation Section also matches an FAA grant with local funds, said Troth. “We believe our match relieves financial pressure from a local sponsor and puts that sponsor in a better financial position to create their own incentives to lure aviationlinked businesses.” Brandt notes the benefits of the grants.

“With an increase in priority program funding over the past five years,” said Brandt, “the [LADOTD] Aviation Section has been able to accomplish many additional projects that otherwise may Continued on next page. have taken years to fund.”

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 17

The stability of PFC personnel—Val Blanchard has been the office manager for 27 years, and the ground staff all have over ten years with the company— has prepared the company to respond to urgent needs. For example, during hurricane season, Perry estimates that PFC supports the evacuation of over 45,000 people to and from platforms in the Gulf. “Ninety-nine percent get there by helicopter,” Perry points out.

This stability allows Perry to take the long view as he considers the future direction of Perry Flying Center. “I’m not Helicopters line the ramp at Houma-Terrebonne Airport scared of growth,” he muses. “If there is a reasonable ROI then I will make an inContinued from previous page. vestment.” Despite the current slowdown in oil drilling operaAviation operations in the Gulf of Mexico were significantly tions, he sees the need for continued exploration and operations damaged by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. Perry Flyand plans to meet that need. “I’m waiting for State and Federal ing Center CEO Ken Perry recalled the damage by Hurricane politicians to forge a path for an energy policy for people to Andrew in 1992. “That hurricane caused more damage than stick to for eight to ten years out,” he said. This, Perry explains, (hurricanes) Katrina and Rita,” he said. However PFC was able provides companies such as PFC with the timeline they need to to recover from that storm. The FBO, which marks 28 years make investments work out. of business in July, has served the oil and seafood industries in The LADOTD Aviation Section partners with communities various capacities. and airports to become more self-sustaining and efficient, said Perry, who started out at age 20 flying seaplanes for the oil Brandt. The Aviation Section manages a NAVAIDS program corporations, has continually adapted PFC to meet shifting that implements navigational aids such as AWOS, PAPI, and logistical and economic challenges. As he observed drilling op- LED Wind Cone. As part of this erations moving farther offshore and the oil business slowing, program, LADOTD partnered with Perry changed his business model to providing ground support ADB Airfield Solutions to test for both large (such as PHI) and small companies in the Gulf. a Pulse Width Modulation LED By offering dispatch, fuel, and administrative services, PFC has taxiway lighting system. The results become the hub for his customers in the central Gulf of Mexithe Aviation Section hopes to realize co, Perry said, “so smaller companies can compete with the big from this test project, said Brandt, boys.” Although PFC still has some of its original customers might mean significant energy sav(including Chevron and HeliGroup since 1989), and the comings for powering airfield lighting pany still services about 60 fixed-wing aircraft and float planes systems in the future. Another result for the seafood industry, helicopters are the main business now, could be emergency sustainabilsaid Perry. The facility has changed in kind; Perry converted ity. For example, Taylor said, in David Slayter the two PFC seaway hangars for float planes to helicopter bays southern regions, including areas and offices. south of Interstate 10, Hurricane Katrina and Rita had an impact; only two airports could handle nighttime operations. Now, said Taylor, most of the airports in this region have stationary emergency power.

The future is now at some airports in Louisiana. Since hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Houma-Terrebonne Airport and the surrounding community has exploded in growth, said David Slayter, the airport manager. However, even before the hurricanes, the airport had a positive impact on the region: “In 2003,” Slayter said, “the Houma-Terrebonne Airport and Industrial Park accounted for more than 5.6 percent of the Gross Regional Product for a four-parish region and approximately 15 percent of the Gross Regional Product for Terrebonne Parish.”

Slayter, a Louisiana native with more than 22 years of experience in aviation and airport management, has been planning Perry Flying Center staff for the future since he accepted the director position at Houma-

Page 18 State Aviation Journal

May/June 2011

Louisiana Touts Aviation Internship Program

Perry Flying Center, Patterson, Louisiana Terrebonne in 2008.

Houma-Terrebonne is a unique airport, said Slayter, because of its size, activity, and infrastructure. Half airport and half industrial park on 1760 acres, the facility primarily serves the oil and gas industry as well as corporate and fishing logistics.

The runway can accommodate larger aircraft such as a DC-9, G550/650, or even a C-130 for evacuation purposes (the airport is one of five designated as an air medical marshalling point).

However, the majority of aircraft at the airport is large helicopters used for offshore operations, said Slayter, such as the Sikorsky S-76, S-92, and the Bell 407.

Slayter is implementing NextGen technology and other modernization at Houma-Terrebonne, including a pilot program for ADS-B. If funding comes through, he said, Houma-Terrebonne plans are moving forward to include LED lights on the primary runway, widen the primary taxiway to handle larger aircraft, and add parking aprons. Slayter also wants to improve the four existing RNAV (GPS) LPV approaches with lighting and meet ICAO SMS 2013 requirements for GA airports. “We have a reason to redo our master plan,” he said.

Part of the airport’s future is tied to cooperation with the community to provide aviation education opportunities. The facility can be used for computer-assisted testing service (CATS) testing and qualifying exams, and surface aviation observation (SAO) instructors are available. Slayter collaborates with the local Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) chapter to teach the basics of aviation, the physics of flight, and how to use a plotter to plan a flight. Houma-Terrebonne is planning to host, with Louisiana Tech University, a week-long aviation career education camp for high school students that will include ground school, weather—“everything but flight instruction,” said Slayter.

Across the state, LADOTD Aviation Section offers workshop and training opportunities throughout the year to airport sponsors and staff, consultants, engineers, or anyone just interested in aviation, said Troth. Over the last two years, he observed, the Aviation Section has either organized or helped organized three security workshops, one wildlife workshop, one pavement inspection workshop, a general operations workshop, and four basic or advanced airfield lighting seminars. “The diverse aviation background of LADOTD staff helps as they develop the varied workshops,” said Troth.

“Over the years we have developed a relationship with the universities in our state,” said Brad Brandt, Aviation Director for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD). “We have focused our attention on universities that offer aviation-specific programs. We can work with them to foster and promote the aviation industry in our state.” Some of the most significant are internship opportunities offered to students in aviation programs. The LADOTD Aviation Section Internship Program is a cooperative endeavor between the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LADOTD) and Louisiana universities, providing practical experience to aviation students through employment in public sector transportation aviation work. In addition to possibly receiving university academic credit, participating students will earn a salary commensurate with their ability. “The internship program is intended to enhance the educational process for students by providing opportunities to explore their interests in aviation management and aviation safety through practical experience,” said Brandt.

The program offers a wide variety of experience to the participating students. Not only do they experience what the state offers from a safety, regulation, and funding standpoint and how these are implemented, but they also get to see how these areas of importance are realized as they are implemented at the airport and local levels. Using the close relationship that the DOTD Aviation Section has garnered with the airport community throughout the state, students are afforded the opportunity to also experience the excitement and energy of the airport environment by shadowing airport management at commercial service and general aviation facilities over the course of a week during their tenure at DOTD. The selected participant will gain invaluable aviation knowledge and skills in a variety of professional level areas with the LADOTD Aviation Section. The selected participant will: Assist the Aviation Program Managers with the following: 1.

Planning and scheduling needed airport improvements 2.

Prepare Capital Improvement Program reports for the FAA 3.

Perform periodic inspections of airports to ensure safety and compliance with State and Federal standards 4.

Review airport leases, airport operations manuals and airport layout plans 5.

Maintain daily contact with local, state and federal of- ficials in planning and coordinating airport improve ments 6.

Update Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 70 7.

Update the Airport Managers Handbook Assist the Aviation Safety and Compliance Officer with the

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 19

Interns

Louisiana Aviation Continued from previous page.

Continued from previous page. following: 1.

Conduct 5010/Safety inspections at all public use avia- tion facilities 2.

Conduct safety inspections at private use facilities 3.

Investigate all proposed landing areas in the state 4.

Review all applications for airport and heliport registra- tion as required by State law 5.

Update the private use airport registration database 6.

Coordinate with State and FAA officials on aspects of airport standardization criterion for safety standards Assist the Airway Systems Manager with the following: 1.

Recommend Navigational Aid projects and costs to be funded by the Aviation Trust Fund the Program Manag- ers 2.

Monitor FAR part 77 Airspace obstruction issues as well as the Obstruction Removal Safety program at airports statewide 3.

Monitor operations of the State’s lighting, electrical, visual approach aids and electronic navigational aids for airports statewide 4.

Develop State airport lighting and NAVAID construc tion standards 5.

Perform periodic construction inspections NAVAIDS and airport lighting systems Students must either be attending Louisiana universities or be Louisiana residents (that may be attending out-of-state universities). “The program has proven to be very successful since it was established five years ago,” said Brandt. Eight students have completed the program with the Aviation Section; at least two of those students currently work in airport operations departments for commercial service airports in Louisiana. Still others took their experience and went on to work towards higher education goals by getting their Master’s degree.

The Aviation Section also partners with Louisiana universities to offer an internship program for aviation students, said Brandt. In addition to earning university academic credits, the internship “provides opportunities to explore their interests in aviation management and safety through practical experience.”

“Louisiana is a very progressive state,” noted Taylor regarding the technology being updated at state airports. For example, he said, the early adoption of installed conduit in the infrastructure will make it possible to troubleshoot or replace runway and taxiway wiring with minimal operational disruption. Further, NextGen systems, including ADS-B, development of RNAV (GPS) instrument approach procedures, statewide programs for obstruction removal, and numerous airport lighting initiatives will reinforce Louisiana’s aviation infrastructure. Airports are adding approach lights, rehabilitating rotating beacons, adding new LED MIRL fixture designs, and testing LED lighting using solar power. The LED lighting, in the long term, will make lighting systems “bulletproof,” said Taylor.

Taylor pointed to three airports currently being upgraded— Jena (LaSalle Parish), Red River Parish, and Concordia Parish.

These airports will upgrade from VFR to IFR status with the statewide obstruction removal program, new airfield lighting systems, stationary emergency power generators, RNAV (GPS) development, and high-speed Internet communication.

“I like what the FAA is doing concerning RNAV,” Taylor notes, “surveying airports for development of GPS-based procedures to each runway end.”

Slayter is excited about the future at Houma-Terrebonne. “The airport and industrial park, managed by the Houma-Terrebonne Airport Commission, is an enormous economic engine for not only the community and parish, but an entire region,” Slayter stated. “Because the oil and gas industry is so prevalent here,” he added, “our importance to the National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS) is significant, especially as a General Aviation airport. We have flight operations to not only national, but global destinations as well.”

“We are extremely proud of the program we developed,” said Brandt. “We look forward to further fostering these relationships with the universities in our state and continuing to provide an excellent training opportunity for the future leaders of our aviation industry.”

Refueling on the ramp at Houma-Terrebonne

Page 20 State Aviation Journal

May/June 2011

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 21

Aviation Remains Strong in GCR’s Global Growth

By Kim Stevens In 2011 GCR & Associates, Inc. began its 32nd year in business. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, the company today describes itself as an international professional services firm, partnering with government and commercial clients to deliver consulting services and technology solutions in aviation, elections, urban planning, right-of-way, energy, public safety and disaster recovery.

Aviation is just one discipline within the company’s portfolio, yet it is a key component within GCR’s playbook moving forward. “Aviation is a unique industry and we continue to grow our aviation expertise,” said Mike Flores, President. “With our continued expansion into the international market, we see aviation as a vital component in the growth of the company.”

GCR is divided into three “Sectors” of Service: Aviation, Professional, and Technology. Since Hurricane Katrina and the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster, GCR has been involved in a great deal of disaster recovery work, which according to Flores, has allowed the company to consider the development of a fourth Sector (Disaster Recovery). “Historically, aviation has been a full one-third of the total business at GCR,” said Flores.

“Since our expansion into disaster recovery services, aviation ranges between onequarter and one-third of our total business of the company in any given year.”

At its core, GCR is a consulting firm. Prior to 1982, the company was involved in conventional system and master Mike Flores planning and engineering activities for airports in Louisiana. According to Phillip Brodt, Vice President, the company continues to undertake master planning and environmental analyses on behalf of a number of GA airports in Louisiana. “We have had long standing consulting relationships with many airports throughout the state and sincerely value those relationships,” said Brodt.

Then, in 1982, Flores began investigation of the Photoslope process using the runways at New Orleans International Airport (MSY) to analyze the use of terrestrial photography to assess the status of the approach surfaces.

“The initial Photoslope efforts at MSY were completed in May of that year,” said Flores. On July 9, 1982 Pan Am Flight 759 crashed on takeoff from MSY, clipping a tree located within the boundary of the approach footprint to Runway 28.

Page 22 State Aviation Journal

According to Flores the Photoslope work completed at MSY just two months earlier confirmed that the tree that downed Flight 759 was actually below the approach surface which relieved the airport of having to address that aspect of potential liability for the accident.

“As a result of that event,” said Flores, “in 1986 the State of Louisiana entered into contract Phillip Brodt with GCR to “Photoslope” the approach surface to every runway in the state.” Since 1986, the status of the approach surfaces to 3,400 runways nationwide has been confirmed using the Photoslope process.

It was through the establishment of the Photoslope procedures that the GCR staff became most familiar with the dimensions of the various runway approaches and their link to obstruction data on the Airport Master Record (FAA Form 5010) for each airport. According to Flores, it was also through the assembling of the thousands of Photoslope photographs for airports in FAA’s Southwest region that, in 1988, prompted that region to request that all of the Photoslope documentation and photographs be provided in electronic format.

“GCR’s need to develop an electronic system to allow the FAA staff to access a particular photograph at the end of a specific runway at any airport within a state lead to the development of GCR’s first Airport Information Management System (AIMS) software,” said Flores. Once the system was developed to find the photographs at a specific airport, the expansion of the program to view any information at the airport (Airport Layout Plan, property maps, lease information, etc.) became a natural expansion. Through the 1990’s, along with the explosion of the PC industry, GCR moved more and more into automation of aviation services. “The introduction and embracing of the Internet in the late 1990’s allowed for the transformation of GCR’s AIMS product into the full AirportIQ software suite,” said Flores.

Brodt, who currently leads GCR’s Aviation Sector, began his work as a member of a Photoslope field crew. “I started as a field crew lead in 1989 and conducted Photoslope work primarily in Maryland and Oklahoma,” said Brodt. “This work was vital to our firm’s development because it established us as an expert in a field of aviation, as well as a firm who brings unique solutions to critical problems.” In the early days, Brodt said

May/June 2011

that GCR was really the only firm who was effective at analyzing airspace issues for a system of airports. “This work also gave us a unique understanding of how to accomplish work throughout the country,” said Brodt, “an understanding which has served us well over the years.”

Widely know for their work with the FAA in the collection and processing of airport safety data and the training of federal and state airfield safety inspectors, GCR continues to solidify and expand their contributions to aviation safety and their relationship with the FAA. GCR initially designed, 5010 Training Class in Orlando in May of this year. and now hosts and supports, the various websites used to group of 31 students,” said Joyce Piacun, 5010 Program Comaintain the data from the airport safety inspections and adordinator for GCR. There were 18 representing state aviation ditional aeronautical information updates gathered for all civil offices, 7 from the FAA and 6 instructors. “We went out to the airports in the U.S. Kissimmee Gateway airport for our inspection field day in KisRichard Gossen, Manager, FAA Systems and Services, said simmee Florida,” said Piacun. “It was a great general aviation GCR creates electronic copies of all paperwork generated from airport, the staff was super friendly and very cooperative.” these activities and uploads and updates the airport history Through an FAA grant issued to GCR, the company continrecord files in the FAA’s DocuShare website portal program, ues to support and maintain the automated inspection process which is ultimately loaded into the National Flight Data Center improving the efficiency of the inspection program, assimiladatabase at FAA Headquarters. tion of resultant data, and processing Since 2004, GCR has coordinated actual field inspections and of the data to AIS. GCR contracts with data processing to the FAA’s Aeronautical Information Services state aviation departments to utilize the (AIS) through the GCR designed 5010Web.com website. The services of inspectors within each state 5010Web.com website allows federal and state airport inspecaeronautics agency, to conduct the actual tors to transmit safety inspection data directly to the FAA and field work and reimburse those state agenaccording to Gossen, is currently used by over 330 state and cies for those inspections of public-use, federal airport inspectors and FAA Airport District Office non-Part 139 airports each year. personnel throughout the entire United Through the 5010Web.com and BaseJoyce Piacun States. dAircraft.com websites, both designed by GCR also hosts and conducts training GCR, the company continues the automated process enabled of those inspectors in its Airport Master for the FAA’s National Based Aircraft Inventory Program. That Record Seminars held twice annually. system allows the company to continually monitor the status of These seminars are structured toward an the based aircraft inventory and automatically identifies dupliin-depth study of the airport data elecate aircraft submitted by multiple airports. The system also ments that appear on FAA’s Form 5010, automatically validates that the aircraft is on the FAA aircraft techniques on airport inspection proceregistration database. dures including a 1-day visit and mock Since 2007, GCR has assisted the FAA by collecting “N” Richard Gossen inspection of a local general aviation numbers for all based aircraft at all non-primary, NPIAS (GA) airport, and airport data processing airports. GCR continues to refine the process and expand the within the mission of the Airport Safety Data Program. reporting of this data for the FAA and other pertinent public GCR’s most recent class was held in Orlando the week of agencies through both websites.

May 2 thru May 6 at the Weston Imagine hotel. “We had a The work the company does with the FAA is one of four

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 23

GCR Continued from previous page. focus areas (Federal & International Solutions) within the Aviation Sector. The other three areas are Airport & Airline Solutions, State & Regional Systems, and Aviation & Airspace Planning. “The work we do with the FAA, however, is a significant part of what we do,” said Brodt.

GCR’s other two sectors of business according to Brodt, are involved in a number of critical and interesting projects.

The company’s Professional Services sector has been heavily involved in disaster recovery projects. “Post-Katrina recovery projects have kept us very busy for several years,” said Brodt, “and then the BP oil spill in the Gulf precipitated a number of new projects.”

The company’s Technology Services sector has historically been focused on developing technology systems for state governments. However, Brodt said they just rolled out a new pension and benefits system for the International Seafarers Union, which is the largest seafarer’s union in the world.

GCR is also working with nuclear power plants throughout the U.S., and has recently started a large project with Duke Energy, to implement the company’s chemistry data management systems for 3 plants in the Carolinas.

GCR, in targeting aviation internationally has begun to achieve “a good bit of success,” according to Brodt. “We have implemented a revenue and facility management system at the Tan Son Nhat Int’l. Airport in Ho Chi Mihn City, Vietnam.” GCR has also been working with the Bermuda Department of Civil Aviation for several years and has implemented a complete aircraft registration and airworthiness system. Bermuda is one of the largest offshore aircraft registries in the world, and commercial and corporate aircraft owners from all over the globe secure and maintain their certificates of airworthiness through the GCR system.

GCR also has established a global partnership with SITA, providing revenue and facility management as part of their overall airport management solution. The company also is working in Accra, Ghana; Amman, Jordan; and in three airports in Egypt. “The Egypt work is currently suspended, however, due to revolution,” said Brodt.

The fundamental business philosophy at GCR, said Flores, “is to provide both a professional and congenial environment, where each staff member feels respected and has the most current tools and experienced team members/support staff, to reach their desired professional goals.”

There are many things about Louisiana’s culture and geography that make living and doing business in the state unique.

However, “it is not about geography,“ said Flores. “For the most part, the passion that is experienced by the staff at GCR, is established by the joy and respect shared amongst the team members. When you are enjoying what you do, it spills over to those around you.”

Page 24 State Aviation Journal

False River Airport Test Bed for Long-term Solar LED Project

By Lara Jackson

Glenn Thibodaux, GT Services, installs lighting In a joint venture between ADB Airfield Solutions and the State of Louisiana, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is undergoing a test program of Light Emitting Diode (LED) taxiway fixtures powered by Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) technology using ADB’s solarpowered Advanced Power Supply (APS). The airport selected

by DOTD for this project, is the False River Regional Airport (HZR), located in New Roads, Louisiana, which is northwest of Baton Rouge.

According to Allen Taylor, DOTD airway systems manager, the solar-powered PWM lighting is a long-term testing program, which may continue for more than two to three years.

“We need to determine the Mean-Time Between Failure (MTBF), Mean Time to Repair (MTTR), Cost of Benefit Ratio (CBR) and system reliability,” said Taylor.

“The project has generated lots of interest,” said Yvonne Chenevert, False River airport manager. Both from around the nation as well as from overseas. The project has also generated a lot of attention in Louisiana. In February, Taylor received the 2011 Louisiana Transportation Excellence Award for “Use of Innovative Product or Technology.” “I believe that the intermodal “aviation team” is the group that should have and display the award,” said Taylor.

Taylor said that there are two individuals that need to be recognized, Phil Jones, Deputy Assistant Secretary, DOTD Intermodal and Brad Brandt, Aviation Director. “Without them the test program underway would not happen.” The award was

May/June 2011

given at the 2011 Louisiana Transportation and Engineering Conference (LTEC), which is held every two years in Baton Rouge and is hosted and sponsored by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in coordination with the Louisiana Transportation Research Center(LTRC), which is a sub component of DODT. In 2009 ADB Airfield Solutions, then Siemens, approached DOTD with the idea of conducting a systems test of their APS using solar power in conjunction with their development of a low profile LED runway and taxiway fixture for them. ADB informed Taylor about their new power supply that had been developed using PWM, which consumes between 90 to 95 percent less energy than the 1000 hour rated quartz halogen when using LED. The lifespan of these new LED lamps is between 100,000 and 200,000 hours. The airport’s 5,000 ft. taxiway is currently lit by 160 LED MITL fixtures.

“This PWM technology opens the door to self-sustaining solar energy usage in airfield lighting,” said Taylor. “The goal is that this system becomes the very best system out there and is cost-effective.”

The initial taxiway solar powered project cost $130,000, but may in the long-run save the airport both money and energy which requires a longer term test. This project has allowed the airport to replace a 15-kilowatt regulator with an APS that consumes less than one kilowatt of power.

“We saw savings immediately when the taxiway reverted over to solar power,” said Chenevert, who has been airport manager since 1993. “When the LED lighting system was installed the savings increased greatly.” Chenevert said that if and when the runway is converted to Solar power the savings would increase even more. She anticipates the possibility of that happening in the near future.

According to a May 19, 2010 DOTD press release, “The new taxiway lighting system is totally powered by solar panels, but it can also function with utility power or the airport’s 60KW stationary diesel generator back-up if necessary. The solar panels charge a battery bank which can power the taxiway lighting system up to fourteen days with little or no sunlight.”

The new LED taxiway lights receive modulated DC current from the APS, which provides the desired light intensity. The 240 volt inverter, which powers the APS, receives the 48 volt DC current from a solarcharged battery bank.

“The goal of this project Yvonne Chenevert was to provide the very best and most cost-effective system,” said Taylor. The DOTD has already reached out to pilots to gain feedback about the taxiway at False River because according to Taylor, “In the game of aviation the pilots’ needs are key. We [DOTD] have already received some extremely positive comments.”

DOTD has added an additional test phase using HZR’s runway which required a month long shutdown to install.

Unique to the low profile runway fixture test is, if necessary, the runway lighting system can revert back to the previous 6.6 constant current system “Legacy” in order to continue HZR operations. Tayor believes that this system at False River may be the only runway lighting system in the world which can revert easily back to the older “Legacy” technology.

The original 7.5 KW runway elevated lighting system (“Legacy”) is installed ten (10) feet from runway pavement edge, is completely operational, and presently in a standby mode. The new APS powered LED runway low profile fixture developed for DOTD by ADB is installed two (2) feet from the runway pavement edge. The new runway fixture circuit(s) are interleaved with each other. Each (circuit) is powered by a 2KW APS using 240 VAC utility power or the diesel generator as backup.

The new medium intensity low profile runway fixtures, being tested, have a total overall height of less than 1-1/2 inches and are capable of sustaining typical inset fixture aircraft loads (weight) and impacts.

“If you want to immediately demonstrate and compare quartz halogen “Legacy” to LED,” said Taylor, “you could energize both MIRL systems (for a test) and vary their intensity using HZR’s lighting radio controller.”

Chenevert said the Office of Aviation, Louisiana DOTD, has been very good to the False River Regional Airport in its funding of this project. “Allen Taylor is the genius behind all of this.” Chenevert said Taylor’s continuous thought process of “safety first” and incorporating the use of innovative technology on an airport has been a huge plus for the airports in Louisiana. “The False River Regional Airport, along with its owners, the City of New Roads and Parish of Pointe Coupee,” said Chenevert, “are honored to have been chosen to receive this system.”

As DOTD’s test program matures and technology advances, “we may be able to provide solar as prime power for an airport’s entire lighting in a reliable cost effective manner and configuration,” said Taylor. “Only time will tell.”

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 25

Louisiana Aviation; An Extraordinary History in Photographs An Interview with Vincent Caire Vincent Caire, a 23-year veteran of the commercial aviation industry, a pilot and freelance writer, has written a book, Louisiana Aviation; An Extraordinary History in Photographs, telling the story of historic events occurring in Louisiana that shaped modern air transportation industries nationwide.

An example is Delta Airlines, which began life above the cotton fields surrounding Monroe, Louisiana as a crop dusting service. In no small measure American Airways, today’s American Airlines, survived the Great Depression on revenues from an airmail route spanning between New Orleans and Chicago.

Aircraft built by the Patterson based Wedell-Williams Air Service, flown by James Wedell and Roscoe Turner, dominated the “Golden Age of Air Racing.” In 1936, Eastern Airlines successfully expanded its route network westward through the purchase of the Wedell-Williams Company. Claire Lee Chennault, founder of the famous Flying Tigers American Volunteer Group (AVG), was a native of Louisiana.

Soon to be published by LSU Press, this book presents the story of civilian aviation in Louisiana and the remarkable legends that paved the way for the contemporary commercial and business aviation industries. The collection includes photographs, maps and memorabilia, much of it long forgotten but monumentally pioneering in its day.

The State Aviation Journal recently interviewed Mr. Caire, a native of south Louisiana and graduate of Louisiana State University.

SAJ -What inspired you to write this particular book about Louisiana aviation?

Claire - “I was doing some research for Sky Riders and it occurred to me that no comprehensive presentation of Louisiana’s impact on U.S. aviation in the 20th century has ever been published. People would contact me and say, “I had no idea all that happened here!” So, I decided to do a book that I hope will tell the story in a special way, showing how all the pieces fit

Author, Vincent Caire

Page 26 State Aviation Journal

Air Racers together, the story that results in the commercial and GA industries and airports we have today. I wanted it presented by a publisher with an extraordinary passion for Louisiana subjects that would take the time to do it right. I was overjoyed when LSU Press expressed interest. It will be published in early 2012.

SAJ - You have done extensive research on Shushan Airport. Can you tell our readers a little about it?

Claire - “Shushan Airport, now Lakefront Airport (KNEW) in eastern New Orleans, is an incredible place with so much untapped potential. I got my private pilot’s license there in 1986. In 1929, Governor Huey P. Long personally commissioned construction and like all of his projects, he demanded that it be the biggest and the best aviation facility the citizens of the United States would ever see. When opened in 1933, then formally dedicated in 1934, it established a standard for early airport design. In contemporary terms, it is one of the last vestiges of the original art deco airports from the “Golden Age of Aviation.” In the book, I tell the complete story, warts and all. Abe Shushan, the 1930s Louisiana, Huey P. Long era power broker for whom it was named, spared no expense for the artwork and ornate terminal. This bounty was covered up in the 60s. Ironically, Hurricane Katrina’s devastation helped remind and reacquaint us with what was beneath, and it is currently being restored to its original design.”

SAJ - Where did your interest in aviation come from?

Claire - “Like most of us I was hooked at an early age. The majority of the credit goes to my father. He was a World War II Naval Aviator and he filled my childhood with stories about stateside training and combat in the Pacific theatre. He also told me stories about flying to and from the original “Shushan” Terminal when he came home on leave. I got my private license after graduation and in my 23-years in the airline busi-

May/June 2011

ness (I was an airport station operations manager) I think I flew as a non-rev in the cockpit jumpseats (pre 9-11 days) as much as I did in the cabin.”

SAJ - What was your first job in aviation?

Claire - “While I was in college, I worked for an FBO named General Aviation Corporation, Inc. at MSY that had the ground handling contract for Flying Tigers, the cargo airline. In peak season Tigers used a B727-100. I assembled the pallets, put on the Visqueen and nets, loaded the huts, recorded the weights, then loaded the plane. In the slow periods they subcontracted to Trans Continental using DC-6s. Thank you for asking that because now you’ve got me thinking about it. There’s just something special about propliners.”

SAJ - Tell us a little about your coverage of contemporary airport subjects in the book.

Claire - “In my experience, well written historical narratives appeal to readers from all backgrounds. I wanted to present something more, something that would introduce to laymen and laywomen of aviation, the original youthful excitement we all possess about flying, so I expanded the coverage to contemporary activities at rural and urban general aviation airports (emergency services, agricultural, fly-ins, airshows, etc). The book introduces these same general audiences of our Modern day crop duster. state to how important GA airports are to our local economies. Sometimes I think as members of the aviation community, we do a poor job of introducing others into the world we love. As a result, when we are looking for funding and support, it is that much more challenging to obtain. That’s the part we must all work together to change. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development-Aviation Section, has been invaluable, sharing resources and contacts, getting me access to airports across the state in preparation for telling this important story.”

SAJ - What made you decide to become a writer?

Claire - “I think it’s just the satisfaction of sharing a good story and knowing you have either introduced readers to something new, or reacquainted them with something familiar, but from a different angle. While I was in the airline business I began writing as a sideline for inflight magazines. I wrote about numerous things but I specialized in music and travel articles. The ones most in demand from me were about New Orleans (Mardi Gras, musicians, French Quarter, river road plantations), I guess because the editors could tell I had a passion for writing about my home. Later I covered NBAA conventions for Aviation International News and wrote specialty articles on airports and classic planes for Airliners Magazine and a few others.”

Claire’s articles have been featured in national aviation publications such as Aviation International News (AIN), Airways Magazine, and Air and Space Smithsonian Magazine. Mr. Caire has also written for local magazines such as Louisiana Life, New Orleans Magazine and Louisiana Cultural Vistas. In 2005 he wrote and produced the public television documentary “Sky Riders: Louisiana’s Aviation Pioneers.” Sponsored by WYESTV in New Orleans, Sky Riders is a one-hour video narrative of the state’s aviation heritage. Sky Riders was funded by grants from among other sources, the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities and the Patrick F. Taylor Foundation.

Art Deco Terminal Building

May/June 2011

State Aviation Journal Page 27