HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-15-14 AIRPORT MINUTESCaldwell Airport
Town Hall Meeting Notes
7 - 9 PM, July 15, 2014
About 40 of us gathered for our Caldwell Airport town hall meeting. We covered a number of topics
over the two -hour conversation. While this is not intended to be exhaustive, here is a summary for
those of you who were unable to attend:
1. COMMUNICATIONS— How do I contact someone at the airport (especially after hours)?
A) During business hours you can call the main airport number (459 -9779) and you should get
Rob or Kathy or you can leave a voice message.
B) After hours or on the weekend you can call the manager's cell that functions as the airport
24-hour 'alert phone' (880- 2059). That cell is normally monitored around the clock and will
usually be answered whenever it rings. Please do not abuse the 'alert line.'
C) During weekdays during 'regular business hours' you can usually reach the airport manager
on the CTAF (122.7 MHz) by calling "Caldwell Manager" — please note that due a variety of
duties, the manager is not able to continuously monitor the radio.
2. AIRPORT GROWTH /REVENUE — How will we fund airport growth? Most of this discussion
moved from the Master Plan into an explanation of hangar taxes. We covered assessed
valuation, business vs. residential, tax levy rates, components of the tax bill, comparisons
between Canyon and Ada counties, tax shifts, assessment appeals, value of airport services vs.
tax costs, assessor tax 'brackets'.
3. CALDWELL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT— Steve Fultz talked about his role as the City's Economic
Development Director. Discussed the Caldwell East Urban Renewal District and its impact on
growth. Steve explained the features of the new Foreign Trade Zone and how it may benefit the
airport.
4. SAFETY DISCUSSION — Local pattern — Barry Everett, Jr. started the discussion of possible issues
with our existing traffic pattern separation between fixed and rotary wing operations. Talked
about how pilots are notified of the expected pattern usage. Silverhawk has moved most normal
operations to surrounding airfields and focuses mostly on non - standard /emergency maneuvers
at Caldwell to provide quicker emergency response, should it be needed. There are now about
20 helicopters based at Caldwell with about half at Silverhawk. Autorotation practice requires
more than just an aiming point since each autorotation must be planned as if it will be full -stop
and that entails some amount of 'slide' space. Big helicopters may land to the runway and
wheel -taxi to the ramp to minimize downwash impact. Owners with hangars facing the runway
asked for a general education effort in the helicopter school to insure that helicopters don't
hover near open hangars. Perception is that a very small number of helicopter pilots are at fault.
Radio congestion — discussion resulted in an informal show -of -hands where most of those
present favored moving Caldwell to a different CTAF channel. Lively discussion of good and bad
points of such a change followed. Among other things, the NDB approach to Caldwe!I would
have to be "de- listed" since we share the Meridian NDB with Nampa.
Helicopter pattern — Talked about possible changes to the helicopter pattern but reached no
consensus.
Publications — Suggestion that we more systematically publish the fact that we have a high
volume of rotary wing traffic and the recommended traffic pattern.
5. RAMP USAGE (turbine aircraft) — Some aircrews have had trouble knowing where to go when
the transient ramp has been full of helicopters. Suggestion to shift traffic to the new apron.
Current visitor perception is not as good as it could be due in part to our crowded transient
ramp. Discussed the plan that's in process to construct a new sidewalk from the apron to the
terminal and around the building to the 24 -hour door. Plan exists to more aggressively market
the new ramp and terminal for turbine traffic as soon as the sidewalk is available. We've been
slow to move on the sidewalk and marketing campaign while waiting for our first business
neighbor to commit and drive the demand for a larger ramp. City has decided to go ahead and
build the sidewalk.
6. COURTESY CAR — Is now operational and available to visiting aircrews by reservation through
the airport office. More info on airport web site.
7. PARACHUTE OPERATIONS —Request for the jump pilots to speak more slowly. Paul Janes also
noted that he is required to maintain contact with Big Sky Approach when he climbs for a jump
run. He then has to quickly jump between frequencies and often misses questions from local
pilots on 122.7 MHz. Discussed altitudes for communicating with Big Sky and usual parachute
opening altitudes.
General consensus - most participants appreciated the opportunity to get together to talk about airport
issues. Recommended that we offer a similar meeting twice a year to enhance communications.
Notes compiled by Airport Manager