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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Minutes - Aviation Advisory Commission - Meeting Date: 3/20/2019GLENC^E /- nfllNUTES AVIATION ADVISORY COMMISSION GLENDALE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT 6801 N. GLEN HARBOR BLVD. GLENDALE, ARIZONA 85307 AIRPORT CONFERENCE ROOM MARCH 20, 2019 6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER 2. ROLL CALL Present: Commissioner Terry Aramian Commissioner Edward McCall Commissioner Randal Kruger Commissioner Quentin Tolby Commissioner Tim Topliff Absent: Chair Larry Rovey Also Present: Joe Husband, Airport Administrator Attendees: Basil 'Mike' Alien, Airport Tower Manager John Padilla, Luke Air Force Base Dave Lanman, CEO, AirGo Phoenix, Inc. James Modeste, CTO, AirGo Phoenix, Inc. 3. CITIZEN COMIVIENTS Ifdtizens wish to speak on a matter concerning the Glendale Aviation Advisory Commission that is not on the printed agenda, please complete a Citizen Comments Card and provide it to the designated staff person prior to the beginning of the meeting. Once your name is called by the Chairperson, please proceed to the podium and state your name and address for the record. Please limit your comments to a period of three minutes or less. 4. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES a. Aviation Advisory Commission Minutes of February 13,2019 Motioned by Commissioner Terry Aramian, seconded by Commissioner Tim Topliff AYE: Commissioner Terry Aramian Commissioner Edward McCall Commissioner Randal Kruger Commissioner Quentin Tolby Commissioner Tim Topliff Other: Chair Larry Rovey (ABSENT) Passed 5.Airport Business a. Mr. Husband introduced Mr. Dave Lanman and Mr. Jim ModesteofAirGo Phoenix, Inc. Mr. Lanman gave an update on plans forAirGo Phoenix at the Airport, which included the following details: .AirGo Phoenix began flying at the Airport in December 2017.After six months, operations were suspended due to pending certifications and re-grouped at the company's other location in Illinois. . The goal is to develop the AirGo Phoenix flight academy as one that is the best in the world. . China Southern Airlines is currently their primary customer and Airgo is planning to increase from 30 students currently to over 125 by the end of this year. . Within the next few weeks, the certification process will be finalized. . By May 1st, the following aircraft will be on site:three Seminoles and five Cessna 172s. . Classes will begin with approximately 60 students:30 transferred from Illinois and 30 from China within a few weeks of starting operations.It is possible that there will be 150 students enrolled at the Airport by the end of 2019. .AirGo will need its own maintenance facilities on site.AirGo has currently reserved two hangars in the South Box Hangar area. . AirGo may look into purchasing a new fleet of up to thirty Tecnam P2010s by the end of this calendar year and will eventually want to replace the Seminoles with P2006Ts. .All aircraft will be color-schemed. . Operations will be conducted Monday through Friday, 16 hours over two shifts.Saturdays may be a possibility, however, there will be no operations on Sunday. . Eventually, as the number of students increase, operating hours may go to 24/5or6 during the weekdays. . To accommodate the number of students anticipated, Airgo may have to expand in 2021 . AirGo cannot afford to pay the retail cost for fuel at the FBO and will need to pump its own fuel in order to be profitable.AirGo will be seeking a self-fueling permit and investigating the construction of a fuel storage facility. .As opportunities arise, AirGo will take advantage of the available space atAirwest. . Starting May 1st, AirGo will use the classroom space atAirwest, Building 3. . AirGo wants to lease and possibly purchase one row of covered aircraft tiedowns. .AirGo is interested in talking with the City regarding the re-zoning of the property across Glen Harbor Blvd, and the potential for the lease of the property to build student housing facilities.AirGo would like dormitories near the academy. . If there are not enough opportunities for existing space, AirGo will have to build hangars and office space. . It will take approximately 6 months to permit, develop, and design AirGo's own fuel facilities.Until then, AirGo is researching tapping into wholesale fuel. . At the Commission's next meeting, the AirGo representatives will bring a proposal with specifics for the fuel facilities, such as design, location, specs, and fuel supplier. . China Southern can send up to 600 students annually once AirGo has capacity.China Southern would send more, however, AirGo does not want to depend on one airline and is also in talks with ten other airlines in Europe and Asia.There is one U.S. airline interested as well. . AirGo has researched other airports and likes what Glendale has to offer. . Flights will be spread throughout the day.There will also be 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. flights. . AirGo will be conscious of departure and arrival procedures and noise abatement procedures. . AirGo will talk with Lufthansa regarding instrument training in Rainbow Valley. > The business plan has been in the making for nine months. b. Mr. Padilla inquired as to how many aircraft AirGo would need for 600 students. Mr. Lanman estimated 50 to 60 aircraft would be needed and at that capacity, the school would be run 24/7, probably six days a week. Mr. Padilla asked where the training area would be. Mr. Modeste replied that the training area would most likely be in the northwest areas and Rainbow Valley. Mr. Padilla asked if Mr. Lanman and Mr. Modeste have been instructor pilots in the valley before and both replied in the positive. Mr. Padilla noted how saturated the airspace can be. Mr. Lanman agreed and reported that all of the flight schools are working together toward the development of training areas and designating certain areas for certain aircraft. Mr. Lanman noted that the training held down at the Lufthansa facility will help tremendously and there are areas in the north and northwest of the state that can be used for practice. Mr. Lanman added that satellite areas in Gila Bend and Buckeye could be utilized as well. Mr. Padilla expressed concern that the academy will expand to 600 students while LAFB is building its F35 fleet to 144 aircraft. Mr. Lanman stated that AirGo will develop routes where the pilots will stay below class Bravo and then fly to their practice areas. Mr. Lanman added that the pilots will be under astrict departure regimen and AirGo will have its own dedicated dispatch frequency. Mr. Lanman noted that AirGo is open for any suggestions or ideas. Mr. Lanman stressed that the immediate issue for AirGo is the fuel facility. Mr. Alien cautioned that the Airport is not private and operates on a first come first served basis. Mr. Alien relayed that there will be delays and did not know how the school would handle these delays. Mr. Alien did not think that the school would have as many operations as anticipated unless there was a lot of overnight operations. Mr. Alien stated that the pattern is very restrictive. Mr. Alien noted that the Airport has only one runway and inquired about AirGo's expectations. Mr. Husband noted that the Commission is an advisory group and some of these detailed issues can be handled directly with the Tower and Luke Air Force Base. Mr. Modeste stated that most of the initial students will be in the instrument training program and much of this program will be done overnight. Mr. Lanman noted that once the school is operating, there will only be eight aircraft. Mr. Lanman added that as the school grows, AirGo will work with the Airport regarding any scheduling issues. Mr. Modeste stressed thatAirGo does not want to compete with any of the current services offered by the Airport, but rather would like to enhance the Airport. Vice Chair Tolby commented that there will be some challenges, but overall, this will be a great asset and magnet for jobs and opportunities. Mr. Lanman stated that he sees that the Airport is on the verge of some very good times ahead. The agenda item was concluded. Mr. Husband reported that he has found previous notes on the Rules and Regulations Revision but does not have the list of all of the participants on the Working Group. Mr. Husband will continue his research. Commissioner Aramian wondered if the identities of all on the original Working Group is necessary. Mr. Husband replied that this might not be particularly important in moving forward, however, the Commission's suggestion was to get the Working Group back together. Commissioner Kruger commented that the original Working Group was too large to make headway and he expressed that concern previously. Commissioner Kruger suggested forming a new group of eight to ten people. Mr. Husband announced that the following RFP's are the process of development for issuance: an RFP for the Airport restaurant, and one for Pad 11, and one for Pad 13. Mr. Modeste inquired if the RFP for the restaurant will address any issues which blocked the success of the previous restaurant. Mr. Husband replied that the Commissioners have provided suggestions which are being considered for incorporation into the RFP. 6. STAFF REPORTS a. Mr. Husband provided the staff report for March 201 9 Highlights included the following: AIRPORT FINANCIAL UPDATE: . Airport Financial Update - 67% of Fiscal Year through February 2019 . Projected Annual Revenue - $775,378.00 . Revenue YTD - $604,097.09 or 77.90% of budget .Annual Operating Budget - $775,378.00 . Expenses YTD - $545,535.75 or 70.35% of budget AIRPORT OPERATIONS UPDATE . Aircraft Operations - February 2019: 8,853 (approximately 8% increase over February 2018, which was 8,206) .2018 Calendar Year:91,305- 16% increase over 2017 (78,824) . It is probable that the Airport will go over 100,000 operations this year GENERAL AIRPORT UPDATES . Airport Projects and Outreach . Staff has not heard back yet from the FAA on the Airport supplemental AIP for the Mill and Overlay project on Taxiway A.lt is anticipated that a response will be received by the end of March. . The end-of-the-year projects are in process. . South Apron maintenance is scheduled for April 22nd. . Terminal Building lock upgrade is scheduled for next week. . The Peoria community meeting that was scheduled for January 29th, but canceled due to the government shut down, will be rescheduled and the FAA representative will be re-invited to attend the meeting. FAA and ADOT GRANTS AND ACTIONS . The City has received an ADOT matching Grant of approximately $76,000 for the reimbursement of the Conair property. AIRPORT NOISE COMPLAINTS . One noise complaint was received from a neighborhood in Scottsdale.Mr. Husband provided information to the complainant regarding flight paths. Mr. Husband reported that all repairs have been made due to the vandalism at the Airport. The police detective emailed Mr. Husband indicating that the police have filed additional charges against the perpetrator. Commissioner McCall announced that the news media was re-running the story. Mr. Husband announced that SkyQuest Aviation has requested additional office space on the second floor and the terminal building continues to be full. The SkyQuest request can be accommodated by moving the pilot lounge / flight planning room to the first-floor lobby area. Mr. Husband reported that the Boards and Commissions Appreciation Dinner will be held tomorrow evening at Sahuaro Ranch Park at 5:30 p.m. and all are invited to attend. LUKE AIR FORCE BASE OPERATIONS Commissioner Kruger noted that there has been an F35 doing quite a bit of unique flying and wondered if it was a student. Mr. Padilla relayed that this is a pilot who is part of the F35 flying team out of LAFB, he is now fully certified, and will go on the airshow circuit. Mr. Alien asked if these types of flights will continue. Mr. Padilla stated that the pilot will have to maintain his proficiency and the airshows will keep him proficient during the summer, however, there may be some flights during the winter. COMMISSION COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS Commissioner Aramian inquired about the status of the aircraft request for the memorial. Vice Chair Tolby replied that none of the aircraft requested have been offered yet. Vice Chair Tolby stated that there is a Huey helicopter on display at the Peoria park on Thunderbird Road. Vice Chair Tolby commented that it would be less expensive and easier to transport and display a Huey helicopter. Vice Chair Tolby will contact the City of Peoria to find out who spearheaded the project and invite the lead person to the next Commission meeting. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS No new proposed items. 10. NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Aviation Advisory Commission is scheduled to be held on April 17, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Conference Room on the second floor of the Airport terminal building, 6801 N. Glen Harbor Blvd., Glendale, Arizona 85307 1. ADJOURNMENT The Aviation Advisory Commission Meeting minutes of March 20, 2019 were submitted and approved this ^th day of April, 2019. Jbfeeph hlusband, Airport Administrator