HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-06-16-HFAC-min
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission
Minutes
June 16, 2009
Prepared by Massport Staff
1.Minutes:
The meeting was called to order by Hank Manz. There were no
corrections to the May Minutes.
2.Bedford Conservation Commission Meeting:
Mike Rosenberg reported that
the Bedford Conservation Commission was holding a meeting tonight to discuss
the Vegetation Management Plan for the Bedford Conservation Commission’s
(BCC) Jordan Conservation Area. M. Rosenberg reported that the BCC had
decided to hire a consultant, and that the Commission was expected to begin
discussion related to Article 97. Dorothy Steele added that Massport is planning
to submit a draft Notice of Intent for the Jordan Conservation Area VMP at the
meeting.
3.Monthly Noise Report:
Sara Arnold presented the monthly noise report for May
2009. S. Arnold explained, mostly in response to questions, that:
The report compares the most recent month with the same month one year
prior, which helps counteract the impacts of seasonal influences. Weather
conditions from one year to the next still have an influence and need to be
considered.
Military numbers may increase in June as a result of some military events at
Hanscom Air Force Base this past weekend.
Noise complaints are processed individually. They are usually received via
email or Massport’s noise report telephone line. The disturbance report is
entered into the new noise monitoring system’s software, which facilitates a
correlation of the reported disturbance time with an aircraft event. A response
form is mailed to the complainant with information about any correlated
event. If requested, a complainant receives a phone call from the noise office;
sometimes Massport initiates a phone call based on circumstances.
Massport assumes that disturbance reports reflect the fact that a person has
been disturbed by an aircraft. Periodically there are people who call about
almost every aircraft they hear, while most people focus on events that were
perceived as particularly disturbing. An aircraft event can be correlated with
most disturbance reports.
There has been a recent influx of complaints registered by Concord residents.
This is because the wind pattern has resulted in heavy use of Runway 11.
Massport is in the acceptance testing phase with the noise system contract.
The website work will follow after the acceptance testing is final.
4. Safety Issues:
The following safety related issues were discussed and addressed
by Dorothy Steele and other participants.
Ron Greene asked about the frequency of emergency landings at the airport.
There are not many incidents that result in damage to an aircraft.
More often than not there is an indication that there may be a problem and the
aircraft is landed under precautionary-emergency operation procedures.
Massport must maintain its facilities and infrastructure on an ongoing basis to
provide a safe environment for its users and neighbors while also being
prepared 24/7 to address any emergencies.
Ron Green suggested that using a displaced threshold for Runway 23 would
eliminate the need to address trees that intrude into Runway 23’s flight path
through the VMP.
Massport does not support establishing a displaced threshold for Runway 23
because it reduces the length of the available runway for landing aircraft and
therefore jeopardizes safety for landing aircraft.
Tom Hirsh noted that there was recently an aircraft that had a flat tire when it
landed on Runway 29. As a result, Runway 29 was closed temporarily, and
all aircraft had to use Runway 23, which is already shorter than Runway 29.
The Echo taxiway reconstruction project is receiving FAA entitlement money; the
Golf and Mike Taxiway rehabilitation/reconstruction projects will receive FAA
stimulus money.
Tom Hirsch noted that according to the data in the noise report, it’s evident
that the majority of aircraft using Hanscom taxiways are not jets, as implied
by residential community objections to the use of stimulus money to support
corporate jets. He observed that there are about three times as many single
engine pistons using the airport as jets. He added that a rock on a taxiway
recently caused $8,000 in damage to his aircraft, and that old crumbling
pavement can be a serious safety hazard.
Massport recently held a “Table Top” emergency exercise at the Air Force Base
to review emergency response and communication plans. Participants included
the surrounding towns’ emergency response agencies, as well as the Red Cross,
Hanscom Field tenants, and other related entities.
5.Hanscom Projects:
Massport staff responded to questions, as follows:
There are no specific interested parties in the Pine Hill development site at
this time. This location was identified in the Environmental Status and
Planning Report for development, and the flight schools at Hanscom did show
some interest in the past.
The US Department of Agriculture and Massport are meeting next week with
the Bedford Conservation Commission to discuss ways to control flooding on
airport property that has been created by beavers in Bedford. The use of water
levelers is being recommended.
There have been no discussions with commercial or cargo carrier operators.
Proposed design plans for the Civil Air Terminal first floor would include an
effort to accommodate commercial service more effectively and efficiently.
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As part of the plans, the flight schools would move to the 2 floor.
6.General Discussion:
Massport staff responded to general questions, as follows:
Worcester Airport is managed/operated by Massport and owned by the City of
Worcester. Massport allocates time and money into marketing for Worcester
in an effort to attract carriers. The ownership of Worcester may be transferred
to Massport as part of a transportation state agency reorganization effort.
It was noted that Concord has not been represented on HFAC for some time.
Massport is not aware of any discussions the TSA may be having with the Air
Force to rent space on the Base. TSA rents space in the Civil Terminal.
Massport recently partnered with Gaining Ground, a Concord non-profit
organization, to allow them to use 2.5 acres of Massport property to grow
produce that will be donated to area food pantries. Hanscom Field donated
time and equipment to clear the area of brush, trees and other vegetation.
The nighttime field use fees are based on the Consumer Price Index. As the
CPI did not increase this year the fees will remain the same through June
2010.
5. Next HFAC Meeting:
No meetings are scheduled for the months of July and August.
The next meeting will be held on September 15, 2009.
Attendees:
Hank Manz, Michael Rosenberg, Cedric Daniel, Sara Arnold, Dorothy
Steele, Ron Green, Thomas Hirsch