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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-05-19-HFA-min HANSCOM ✓FIELD ADVISORY COMMISSION MAY 19 , 1987 MINUTES OF THE MEETING The following attended the meeting Henry Wilfholm Digital James Yennaco Raytheon Robert Domnitz Merriam Hill Assoc . Ed Farnsworth HPA Don Wilson HPA Ted Jula HPA Evelyn Parent HPA Robert Nash MNHP Rick Hill Concord Francesca de Van Massport Pat Hynes Massport Peter Barker Lexington Graydon Wheaton CAPA Jo Rita Jordan Carlisle Michelle Matteo Bedford Jane Farmer LW\ Richard Theriault Lincoln Edward Shammon Hanscom AFB B. Birmingham Air Boston John Vallle Beechcraft Joyce Hals MPA 1 . Minutes Corrections to the minutes of April 21 , 1987 . . Ashraf Jan from the FAA telephoned and requested that the statement under item 4 , Jet Aviation Fuel Spill be shown to include the following statement "that assurances had been made that the new storage tanks will incorporate the necessary safeguards . He also indicated that upon checking his records the day following the April HFAC meeting, he was satisfied that the ENF and environmental audit described the fuel farm as it was subsequently constructed by Stead Aviation. . Ed Farnsworth requested that the statement under item 2 , Draft 1986 Noise Review, reflect that Donald Wilson of the Hanscom Pilots Association took exception to the 83 . 8 db number cited for single engine aircraft by Mr . Robert Miller of Harris Miller Miller Hanson, Inc. It was agreed that the issue would be discussed at the Noise Subcommittee meeting. 2 . Air Force Base Thunderbird Show Review - Joyce Hals advised that she had requested a representative from the Air Force Base come to review their plans for the show on August 29th . The person scheduled to discuss the event was not available . Ed Shammon, Assistant for Corporate Facilities from the Air Force , present at the meeting assured that the AFB would make someone available at the June meeting . 3 . Air Force Base Hazardous Waste Removal Program - Ed Shammon advised the members that the Air Force will be holding a meeting on June 2nd at 7 . 30 P.M. in the O'Neil Auditorium at the Base to review their remedial program. Local elected and state officials , plus members of the HFAC kill be briefed at that time. This meeting will be followed by a meeting for the public on June 30th . Michelle Matteo asked that the June 2nd meeting be followed up by a briefing of the HFAC members at the June meeting . Ed Shammon agreed to this suggestion. 4 . Catskill Airlines - Joyce Hals reported that a commuter airline , based in Oneanta, New York , had met with Massport to discuss starting a commuter operation from Hanscom Field to locations noh under consideration . The company currently operates commuter service from Logan Airport. They will be flying Beech 99 , 15 passenger aircraft . The locations under consideration are White Plains, Utica and Newark They expect to complete market research in se.-eral weeks and be able to come to the June HFAC meeting with plans . The members stressed they would like an opportunity to discuss the plans before an ENF is filed and that the ENF not be filed before the September meeting. A request was also made to determine if Catskill will be considering any link between Hanscom and Logan. 5 . Jet Aviation Fuel Farm Status Report - Michael Dye reported that they had received notice from DEQE in the form of a 21E letter. The letter outlines the responsibility of Jet Aviation on the spill . He stated that Jet Aviation has already complied with four of the five issues , and they are now waiting for DEQE to approve the proposed clean up process . A question was raised concerning the DEQE process and whether Jet ever stated whether the problem might reoccur. Tom Wigglesworth, consultant to Jet Aviation explained that DEQE usually keeps each site as an open case but would send a letter stating their approval if a tank were to be repaired or replaced. In the meantime , the tank is not being used . In response to a question on possible ways to prevent future problems and rapid HFAC notification, Massport staff adtised that they are in the process of setting new guidelines and procedures for notification as well as improving maintenance procedures . Pat Hynes also advised that , "MPA is proposing a position on staff, dedicated to underground storage tank management and oil/water separator maintenance at Logan Airport, Hanscom Field, and other MPA properties . This person would be responsible for' 1 ) Ensuring that all tanks are pressure tested when they are required to be. 2 ) Developing soil and groundwater clean up procedures for leaking tanks . 3 ) Evaluating and recommending new tank installations . 4 ) Evaluating and putting in place an inventory control system, so that leaks are detected as soon as they happen. 5 ) Knowledge of state and federal underground storage tank laws and Massport ' s compliance with these . 6 ) Preventive maintenance program for oil/water separators . " Michael Dye also advised the HFAC that Jet Aviation is taking steps to incorporate a new monitoring system to provide early warning of any problems developing in the system. He also said that the oil/water separator is working very well and that laboratory analyses are encouraging Rich Theriault asked about other standards which should be applied at Hanscom and if Massport should be more aggressive with existing standards . Michelle Matteo requested a synopsis of the procedures followed by Massport during the Jet Aviation spill and what procedures can be done to improve the situation and also a progress report on the outcome of the existing spill . Massport agreed to the request (see attached) Michael Dye also told the members that Jet Aviation is holding an open house on May 29th from 1 to 6 p.m. , and invited them to attend . - 6 . Communications Report - Francesca de Van told the HFAC that five members had volunteered to work with her on the Communications Subcommittee. Bob Domnitz , Michelle Matteo , Richard Theriault, Jo Rita Jordan, and Bill Sohni . They have met twice and have set the goals for identifying opportunities to improve communications between HFAC, the public and Massport. They agreed to the wording of an advertisement which was placed in the four towns Minuteman newspapers . They also agreed that the HFAC members should receive a copy of the agenda for Massport Board meetings . The meetings are open and anyone who wishes may attend. She also discussed the quality of the minutes and stressed that Massport is making an effort to improve them. She mentioned that Lincoln representatives reported to their Selectmen that the minutes had had some gaps . Rich Theriault agreed that the minutes had improved. Francesca de Van also told the members that the HFAC wishes to be informed in the future of any meeting Massport will be hazing with the towns . Peter Barker asked for the statistics and planning report to be mailed out before the meeting to give members an opportunity to review them earlier. He also complained that they are always given at the end of the meeting and not enough attention is paid to them. Joyce Hals explained that it is difficult to have the report ready at an earlier date because the FAA does not release the flight strips used for collecting data until 15 days after an operation. Questioned on why the FAA had this regulation and if it would be possible to get around it by copying the strips , she replied it would require a lot of additional work . She agreed however to review the process and to have the report as the first item on the agenda. . 7 . Noise Subcommittee Report - Rick Hill summarized the issues discussed at the May 14th meeting. The subcommittee reviewed the Hanscom Pilots Association (HPA) questions on the Draft Report on noise exposure levels which found that single engine aircraft operations contributed significantly to the overall noise level and the source of the SEL calculations used by Harris Miller, Miller and Hanson (HMMH) . The HPA have obtained a copy of the data source and are analyzing it. They plan to work with a consulting group to make sure that HMMH uses correct equipment . The FAA source, the Integrated Noise Model , 3 . 8 , was discussed with Amy Kaufman, former noise consultant, now with AOPA. She adhised that any noise consultant using the data has control over it. HPA has ordered a copy and will be looking at the numbers HPA still questions the HMMH data. They have also taken a look at representative climb rates for single engine aircraft and don' t agree with the FAA data. Rick Hill also reported that Bob Miller will further clarify and also perform some on site testing of single engine aircraft performance The Subcommittee also agreed to meet more frequently and monitor the nine week summer monitoring program planned by Massport. The program will include tracking every Hanscom aircraft operation seven days a week from 7 a .m. to 11 p.m . . Data will be collected on aircraft types and runway utilization Some temporary noise monitoring at several locations around the airport will also be conducted. Peter Barker asked to review the project at the June meeting . Ted Jula would like a discussion of the nature of technical equipment and traceability to a primary source. Bob Domnitz asked that HPA also look at the characteristics of other aircraft while analyzing those of the single engine aircraft . 8 . Mass Educational Aviation Council - Jo Rita Jordan informed the HFAC that the Council will be sponsoring a career day at Hanscom in September so students will learn about, aviation. There will be static displays and some aerial activity. The event will be publicized . 9 . Statistics and Planning - Joyce Hals reported on the folloc.ing topics Statistics - A copy of the monthly statistics for April were distributed, including fleet mixes for the months of January, February and March . She noted that April jet activity increased over the previous months , and attributed this to the area's booming economy. Bob Domnitz asked for clarification on the noise statistics and the apparent discrepency between the totals shown in the center and those in the left column Hals will correct the report . Domnitz also asked if the EXP number includes the single engine aircraft . An effort will be made to incorporate the single engine aircraft number for the next report . Peter Barker wanted more information on how the report works and was urged to attend the next Noise Subcommittee meeting at which time the EXP methodology will be discussed, including how actual altitudes of aircraft are estimated. . Digital Equipment and Massport are negotiating a new lease and discussing the request from Digital for an option to build a conference room as an addition to the hangar. If negotiations succeed, the Massport Board will consider the item at its July meeting . . East Coast Aero Tech has exercised its option to request a five year extension on the existing lease . East Coast is now owned by Wentworth Institute. . Patriot Aviation has advised Massport that they have liquidated their assets under the old corporation and have a new owner. Massport has advised the new owner that they may continue to do business as a tenant-at-will while the legal issues are reviewed. They are expected to continue at the same method of operation as in the past . . Boston Airlines has notified Massport and MEPA of a project change. The company is now operating as Air Boston Corporation . Barry Birmingham, chairman, explained that in March , Boston Airlines , as directed by the MEPA certificate, notified them of request for an extension of the permit from June 9th . MEPA granted a six month extension . Later in April , Boston Airlines further notified MEPA of a change in name, with no other changes from the original certificate, to Air Boston. MEPA directed them to file a Notice of Project Change , which was filed in the Environmental Monitor . A public hearing will be held on Friday, May 22nd at the Massport Conference Room at Hanscom. He explained the nature of the operation is to provide 18 seat Sikorsky helicopter service between Hanscom and Logan and Beverly and Logan . The Greiner Report, Phase One , final draft is currently being reviewed by Massport staff and expected to be discussed at the June HFAC meeting Massport hopes to meet with the Operations Subcommittee before then to review the report. The existing members are Bill Sohni , Chairman , John %raga, Bill Johansen ( replaced by Peter Barker and Michael Dye. ) . The Land Use Study being deNeloped by Massport has been outlined, based on work originally done by Carr Lynch Associates The non-aviation parcels of land, owned by Massport, which have potential for commercial development have been identified. Massport would like to work with the HFAC land use Subcommittee to identify the criteria for evaluating each site and possible development possibilities , based on the criteria. Any sites meeting the criteria would then be subjected to a financial analysis . Massport intends to also review the project with elected State representatives . • Executive Flyers has sent Massport a letter requesting permission to build a maintenance hangar The request hill be evaluated. . A discussion also ensued between Bob Domnitz and de Van regarding review of press releases written by Massport Domnitz objected to the HFAC chairman being quoted in a release sent to the media that day. . There was talk by Barker about meeting in the summer , Theriault said there is low attendance. . T-hangar rates forthe ' old' 72 hangars are being evaluated and a decision regarding the increase will be sent to the occupants before the Board of Directors ' votes on any proposed increases . The tenants will be invited to attend a meeting if they wish to review the rate structure . 10 . Other - Michelle Matteo announced that Massport and the Town of Bedford will meet on Friday, May 22 to discuss the Massport proposed purchase of the land in Bedford. Rich Theriault asked if the Massport Board had discussed the purchase and the Commission ' s request. Hals said that there have been several discussions and that both the Planning Board and the HFAC points of view have been given. Asked for specific details , she deferred to waiting until the meeting with Bedford officials to discuss the situation . . Jo Rita Jordan announced that Ed Farnsworth will be the new Carlisle representative .