Pease Airport Users’ Group

Minutes

June 22, 2005

6:30 PM

Southern New Hampshire University

Pease Campus

PRESIDING: Kim W. Hopper, A.A.E., Acting Airport Manager

ATTENDING: See attached sign in sheet

I. Introduction: Bill Hopper welcomed everyone to the second Airport Users’ Group Meeting and extended his appreciation to SNHU for use of their facility for the meeting. All attendees introduced themselves.

II. Airfield Activities: Andrew Pomeroy described the airfield activities.

1. Airfield Construction

A. Taxiway East Object Free Area (OFA) Rehabilitation – Two sections have now been completed. The section between Taxiway C & D and the section between the terminal and Taxiway B. Presently the project is located at the west side of the GA apron.

B. General Aviation Apron – The application for funding has been submitted to the FAA. Because the bid for the project was higher than anticipated, the FAA is looking for additional funding. Because of this, the project will probably not begin until October. Bill Hopper reemphasized that T-hangar tenants dislocated by the construction will probably be housed in Hangar 213. There will be a meeting with all users to discuss the project prior to it beginning.

C. Environmental Work – The USAF based conversion agency is presently conducting airfield-wide water sampling which could have minor effects on airport operations. They are planning a major project for 2006 or 2007 that will take most of a construction season. The work is located between Taxiway B and the Cargo Area and it will involve closing Taxiway A in this section for most of a construction season.

D. Air National Guard Reconstruction – Andy Smith of NHANG/CE reported that construction should begin mid to late July. It is the second portion of a three phase project to repave the entire NHANG Apron.

E. ARFF Station – Andy reported that the new fire station is scheduled to be completed by December or January.

2. Airfield Maintenance

Alan Weston reported that at this point they are trying to catch up on airfield painting and mowing. The rainy weather is making it difficult to catch up. The painting on the runway should be done within a week and then they will have additional runway paint in the fall. During the runway painting a 15-minute PPR will be issued. It is important to note that when a 15-minute PPR is issued the NOTAM will state the runway is closed. The runway is not closed. FAA requires the NOTAM to state such, because the FAA’s interpretation is that the runway is closed unless a 15-minute PPR is requested.

3. Other Events

A. The NHANG is planning an airshow for August 2006. More information will follow.

B. The airport will be having a full scale emergency exercise to simulate and aircraft accident. The drill is tentatively scheduled for April 2006 and is required once every three years by the FAA. It is scheduled in April to coincide with an emergency drill that the guard will have to conduct prior to the airshow.

III. Airport Operations

Airport Operations is staffed 24/7. Please do not hesitate to call them at (603) 433-6536, pager (603) 564-1983, or cell phone (603) 817-9411. The most reliable means for contact is the pager. There was concern from Peter Ferguson that a phone call could not be made directly to the ATCT for a 15-minute PPR. Corporate jets are not in range for radio contact 15-minutes out and every minute delayed in the air costs him $100. One suggestion was for him to tell center to give the tower the PPR or to call the airport operations cell phone since it is airport operations that has to approve the PPR.

IV. Air Traffic Control

Greg Lyons said that the ATIS is now on a recorded line from 0600-2300 local. The number is (603) 430-3232. It is a single phone line so there can only be one phone call at a time. If it is busy, try again in a minute. The recording will automatically hang up after it cycles through the ATIS two times. This keeps one person from tying up the line. An automated weather system with a phone line should also be available by Fall, 2006. In the meantime, weather can be obtained 24/7 by calling the Pease weather observer at (603) 430-3519. If nobody answers the phone, call again in a couple of minutes because the observer might be out of the office making a weather observation.

Mr. Lyons provided copies of the “View From the Pisquataqua”. This is a publication put out by the ATC squadron. He invited people to send in articles. Bill Hopper said that the latest edition would also be put on the PDA website, www.peasedev.org.

V. Noise Abatement Procedures

Bill Hopper went over the voluntary noise abatement procedures for Pease, which are also available at www.peasedev.org. He appreciated everybody’s consideration with regard to the effects of aircraft noise on the neighboring communities. He also discussed the jetway-mounted GPU and PCA and said that use of it would be at no cost until at least July, 2006. He strongly encouraged aircraft parked at the jetway to use the equipment provided or their own equipment and to minimize use of APU’s.

VI. Security

Dan Drumheller advised that quotes were in for the proposed changes to the GA Pedestrian Gate. Work is expected to begin in the near future, and the gate should be returned to service by the next Users Group Meeting. Brian Corliss of TSA advised that the Homeland Security Threat Level remains at yellow. All personnel should remain vigilant, and report any security threats or suspicious activity immediately.

VII. Open Discussion

Gordon Long of Boston-Maine Airways said that they plan to start up service again with the 727’s June 30. Destinations will include Orlando-Sanford, Clearwater-St. Petersburg, and Stewart. They are also hoping to start service at Rickenbacher outside of Columbus, OH.

VIII. Next Meeting

The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 8, 2005 at 6:30 PM. Mike Holmes has graciously offered to have it in Port City Air’s facility.