The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink About2003-03-18-HFAC-min HANSCOM FIELD ADVISORY COMMISSION MINUTES March 18, 2003 1. Introductions and Minutes: Members introduced themselves. The February Minutes were approved. 2. State of Hanscom: Barbara Patzner presented the annual State of Hanscom. Using a PowerPoint presentation, B. Patzner discussed the contents of the document that was distributed by email the previous week. In response to questions, B. Patzner explained the following: The capital program summary in the State of Hanscom does not reference funds allocated for airport planning as listed in Massport’s capital budget for Hanscom because the funds are not associated with any capital project. The small amount of money is available for the aviation planning department to use should there be a need for an unanticipated situation. Rental income dropped in FY02 because Hangar 24 was vacated by MIT. Amortization reflects capital expenditures, and the increases are based on formulas that factor in grant money received. Commissions increased in FY02 because of two one-time revenue sources, including a grant for operating expenses for security. The terminal improvement budget was reduced when the $800,000 terminal project was cancelled after September 11, 2001. Massport’s accounting procedures have not changed. Massport has Orders of Conditions for all four Runway ends for Phase 1 of the Vegetation Management Plan, which means the project can move forward this summer, if it is dry, and/or next winter. Timing for Phase 2 of the project has not been determined. The perimeter road listed in the capital programs will connect existing service roads to an area in the northeast area of the airfield that has been identified for new T-hangars. There was considerable discussion regarding the FY03 projections by community members. B. Patzner explained that the projections are generated by the budget department and reflect a best estimate based on past experience and knowledge of particular situations in the coming fiscal year. We will see the actual numbers at the end of the fiscal year. Including projections is something that was recently added to the State of Hanscom at the Selectmen’s request. In response to a question, Sara Arnold explained that The State of Hanscom reviews aircraft activity levels based on the 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. FAA Tower counts because the Tower count is used by the FAA as the official number of operations. In the future, nighttime activity, which is included in the monthly reports and the annual noise report, will also be referenced. Methodology for the economic analysis, which was done several years ago by a Massport consultant for FY00, was questioned. Marty Pepper Aisenberg reported that Save Our Heritage (SOH) conducted an independent analysis and believes that Massport did not apply the correct procedures. The SOH results show a lower economic impact. 3. Monthly Noise Report: S. Arnold reported that there was a 30% decrease in February 2002 operations as compared to February 2001. This resulted from a decline in activity by all categories of civilian aircraft, including a 13% decrease in jet operations. S. Arnold noted that the heavy winter weather in 2003 affected activity by smaller aircraft, but jets can fly in most weather. It is unclear whether the decreases in jet activity in both January and February were only impacted by the weather. It was reported that there were no nighttime run-ups in February. In response to a question about night flights between 6 and 7 a.m., S. Arnold confirmed that the first and last hours when the nighttime field use fee is in effect (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) is when there is the most activity. S. Arnold reported that she has implemented an upgrade in the EXP calculations. EXP is the metric used to track changes in noise at Hanscom. The upgrade reflects the changes in the FAA’s Integrated Noise Model (INM). As a result, the noise assigned to the groups of aircraft has sometimes gone up, and some cases it has gone down. Also, some aircraft have moved to different groups and some have had a new group created for them. The FAA is continually adding new aircraft to those that have been tested and included in the model. Aircraft that have not been modeled are assigned to a substitution group. EXP is now using INM 6.0c, and this has been run for the past three years for comparative purposes. Although the absolute numbers are lower than when using INM 5.1, EXP has always been used to reflect a change in noise levels, and changes can still be tracked using the new version. 4. Updates: Richard Walsh reported the following: There is still an occasional Boston/Maine flight operation, and Shuttle has six round trips a day. There has been no new interest expressed by other commercial carriers or cargo operators to operate at Hanscom. Massport still plans to file the Final ESPR in May. Massport has dropped its appeal of Bedford’s Order of Conditions because all the points of concern have been resolved. It is understood that SHHAIR will withdraw its appeal. Massport hopes to have the deicing study available by April and to discuss it in May. Members of the community asked that the names of the deicing compounds, previously sent by email to the Selectmen, be attached to the Minutes. (See attachment at the end of the Minutes) Members of the community also asked if there could be regular status reports provided each month for the 13 projects listed for FY03 in the State of Hanscom. B. Patzner commented that phase 1 of the fencing project has already begun, the parking lot resurfacing will start in a few weeks and phase 2 of the fencing project will be going out to bid in the near future. 5. Other: Marty Pepper Aisenberg said that Massport’s opening sentence in the State of Hanscom about purchasing the land for the airport in 1941 is technically correct but isn’t complete and therefore is misleading. He reported that the Town of Bedford opposed the purchase of Bedford land for the creation of the airport. He said he objects to the way Massport presents its position, and Massport needs to recognize the need to establish real limits at the airport. John Williams, of the Massachusetts Business Aircraft Association, said that he lives on a busy street and understands noise impacts. He suggested that both sides need to find a way to respect each other’s ideas and initiatives. Residents need to acknowledge the value of the airport. Anne Frymer said that aircraft noise and road traffic noise cannot be equated. Corporate jets are destroying life in the area of this airport. ATTACHMENT to the March 20, 2003 HFAC Minutes Deicer Products Being Reviewed by Massport for Use at Hanscom Field: Calcium Magnesium Acetate Potassium Acetate Potassium Formate Sodium Acetate Sodium Formate HANSCOM FIELD ADVISORY COMMISSION DATE 3/18/03 MEMBER ATTENDEES CATEGORYNAMEIN ATTENDANCE ********************** Contiguous Towns (4) BedfordSheldon MollX Bedford AltMark Siegenthaler ConcordGary ClaytonX Concord Alt.Charles Blair LexingtonPeter EnrichX Lexington Alt.Michael Barrett LincolnSara Mattes Lincoln Alt.Sarah HoldenX ********************** Local Citizen Groups (2) So. LexMargaret CoppeX No. LexGraydon WheatonX ********************** Area Wide Organizations (2) LWVSusan SekulerX LWV Alt.Janet Kennedy ********************** Other Area Towns (2) Carlisle or Acton WalthamRep. Tom Stanley Waltham AltMichael Squillante ********************** Businesses Basing Acft at Hanscom (2) East Coast AviationTom HobanX RaytheonMichael Burke ********************** Aviation/Aviation Related Businesses (2) Jet AviationFrank Diglio Signature Flight SupportLarry JorashX Signature Alt.Paul Gamache ********************** Business Aviation Organization (1) NBAA ********************** General Aviation Organization (1) AOPAFord vonWeise ********************** Ex-Officio Members MassportSara ArnoldX MassportRichard WalshX MassportCedric DanielX HAFBCapt. Jennifer Christovich FAA MMNHPNancy Nelson