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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-04-20-HFAC-min Hanscom Field Advisory Commission Minutes - April 20, 2010 Prepared by Massport Staff 1. Minutes: The meeting was called to order by Jeanne Krieger. There were no comments on the March Minutes. 2. De-icing Report: Tricia Haederle briefed the group on two separate deicing activities that occur at Hanscom: runway deicing done by Massport; and aircraft deicing done by the Fixed Base Operators (FBOs). permit, which allows the use of up to 100,000 gallons of aircraft deicer annually. Best Management Practices (BMPs), (SWPPP), outline the approved storage and use of both deicers. Until the winter of 2003-2004, Massport only used FAA approved sand on the runways. During 2003, Massport completed a computer model study of the potential impacts of using runway deicers, and the winter of 2003-2004 was used to test the model. Both the study and the water sampling showed that aquatic toxicity levels were not exceeded, and there were no adverse impacts to water quality parameters. During that first winter, Massport used 47,000 pounds of sodium formate on the runways. This past winter, 12,000 pounds were used. The FBOs use either Type I or Type IV propylene glycol for aircraft deicing. Type I is a mixture of half water and half propylene glycol and is used more frequently than Type IV. Type IV is thicker and sticks to the aircraft to prevent build up of ice. Pilots determine the amount of aircraft deicer to use based on FAA guidelines. This past winter, the FBOs used 18,675 gallons of a combination of Type I and Type IV deicer. In response to questions, T. Haederle explained that: Aircraft are deiced away from catch basins during dry weather conditions. Wet weather deicing takes place on the airport ramps; Hanscom does not have deicing pads. Hanscom has a multi sector general permit, which is used by a variety of industries that could affect stormwater runoff. Logan has an Individual Permit. Last winter, Logan used 1.5 million gallons of deicer. The EPA requires an annual testing report. Additionally, Massport conducts a quarterly visual test, which looks at turbidity and clarity. If there is contamination reported, Massport will continue to test to determine the cause of contamination. J. Krieger asked that HFAC receive a copy of the annual report that goes to the EPA. their deicing activity to Massport. Massport tracks deicing activity by the month. A combination of factors led to Hanscom initiating the use of runway deicing in 2003. There was a particularly difficult winter season in 2002-2003, plus the FAA had approved deicer alternatives that were more environmentally friendly than the previously approved options. Safety is a high priority and runway deicer use increases safety at the airfield. 3. Monthly Noise Report/ Hanscom Projects: Sara Arnold presented the March noise report. In response to questions, S. Arnold explained that: Noise complaints are not tracked by aircraft type. Efforts continue to replace the noise monitor at Site 34. The current location is very good when looking at flight tracks and traffic on the road. However, the monitor needs to be moved down the street to keep it from getting hit by trucks backing out of a driveway that is across the street. Unidentified in the breakdown of noise complaints means that Massport could not associate specific aircraft activity with the reported date and time of a noise disturbance. Massport is still committed to providing the public with website access to data and information from the upgraded noise monitoring system. This part of the project has had a number of delays, but there have been recent discussions within Massport about getting this part of the project back on track. The economy is probably the single most significant factor in determining the ebbs and flows of business jet activity. There have been increases in jet operations over the past . It seems reasonable to assume that business jet activity will return to pre-recession levels, but it is impossible to know how quickly that will happen. If Massachusetts re-instates the Massachusetts sales tax on aircraft sales, this could result in more air traffic. A company located in the Hanscom area may decide to base an aircraft out-of-state to avoid the tax and then shuttle the aircraft in and out of Hanscom to pick up and return employees, resulting in four trips rather than two. At one point, the proposal to re-instate the sales tax had been removed from the state budget, but this is the kind of thing that can change. An update on current projects did not generate any questions. Massport has not had discussions with commercial or cargo operators. There was discussion about non-aviation development being of concern to the communities. S. Arnold noted that Massport and the communities have different interpretations of what is considered aviation development. 4. Other: Tom Hirsch informed the group that an internet coupon program had been used to promote introductory helicopter lessons at Hanscom. Next Meeting: The next HFAC meeting is scheduled for May 18, 2010. Attendees : Tricia Haederle, Cedric Daniel, Sara Arnold, Tom Hirsch, Jeanne Krieger, Diane Reid, Margaret Coppe, Deb Mauger and Elise Woodward.