Presentation to

Frederick County Board of County Commissioners

Frederick County Planning Department

Airport Commission, Frederick Municipal Airport

Proposal to Allow

Private-Commercial AirstripHoward F. Payne, 240-674-6157

Alfred Bassler, 443-622-3516

February 25, 2009

ContentsContents• Background• Facts and Data

• Ijamsville Airport (4MD8) • Airports in Frederick County• Needs of General Aviation Pilots • Impact of Washington’s Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ)

• Concerns raised by BoCC on January 6, 2009 Classifications of airports Fuel sales Competition Intensity of use Airports in Ag Zone

• Backup Slides1. Airport Comparisons (Hagerstown, Frederick and Ijamsville)

2. Airport Closure Projections

3. Map of Public Use Airports in Maryland

4. No State or Federal funding for Private-Use Airports

5. Aerial photos of Hagerstown, Haysfield and Frederick Airports

6. Statistics and Definitions

BackgroundBackgroundOn January 6, 2009 the Frederick County BoCC considered a request from Howard Payne and Alfred Bassler to create a zoning ordinance to allow an upgrade in use of Ijamsville Airport from private-use, non commercial-use to private-use, commercial-use* (* As defined by Maryland Aviation Administration on airport licenses)

This presentation is intended to answer concerns, and provide facts and data about

The nature of private airports vs. public airports in Frederick How private airports benefit Frederick County The needs of general aviation pilots in Maryland How agricultural use and “green space” are preserved with this

proposal

FactsFacts Ijamsville Airport (4MD8) is a private-use, non commercial-use airport located

on 180 acres of agriculturally zoned land with a special exception from Frederick County in 1980. Licensed by Maryland Aviation Administration.

FactsFacts

On final approach, over the Frederick County Landfill

Ijamsville Airport (4MD8)

FactsFactsAirports in Frederick County

PU = Public, PR = Private, MR = Military

Source: http://www.faa.gov/airports_airtraffic/airports/airport_safety/airportdata_5010/menu/index.cfm

City County Facility Name Ownership Use Location ID Type

EMMITTSBURG FREDERICK BELL PR PR MD12 AIRPORT

FREDERICK FREDERICK BURHANS MEMORIAL PR PR 3MD0 AIRPORT

FREDERICK FREDERICK FREDERICK MUNICIPAL PU PU FDK AIRPORT

FREDERICK FREDERICK IJAMSVILLE PR PR 4MD8 AIRPORT

LIBERTYTOWN FREDERICK HARRISON FARM PR PR 8MD5 AIRPORTTHURMONT FREDERICK CATOCTIN CROSSWIND PR PR 4MD7 AIRPORT

UNIONVILLE FREDERICK GOOD NEIGHBOR FARM PR PR MD74 AIRPORT

UNIONVILLE FREDERICK HAPPY LANDINGS FARM PR PR MD73 AIRPORT

WOLFSVILLE FREDERICK HARP PR PR 6MD3 AIRPORT

EMMITSBURG FREDERICK NAT'L EMERGENCY TRAINING CNTR PU PR 7MD2 HELIPORT

FORT DETRICK FREDERICK FORT DETRICK HELIPAD MR PR MD32 HELIPORTFREDERICK FREDERICK FREDERICK MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PR PR 7MD3 HELIPORT

FREDERICK FREDERICK GRIMES PROPERTIES PR PR MD86 HELIPORT

URBANA FREDERICK STOLCREST PR PR MD75 STOLPORT

FactsFactsBenefits of General Aviation Airports Economic

• Generate tax revenue for the community

• Attract new businesses to the community

• Help drive local economies

• May play a key role in the provision of emergency services such as medical airlift, fire and rescue, and police

Conservation• “Open space” is preserved. Land is not developed for other purposes.

Air Transportation• May provide for the transport of people, goods and services

Recreation• Provide a location for the fulfillment of one’s desire and enjoyment of airplanes

and flying

Education• Cultivates public interest and education in aviation

FactsFactsNeeds of the General Aviation Pilot Small planes and jet/commercial plane have different needs.

• Mixing slower aircraft with faster aircraft increases safety risk.• Smaller aircraft have little or no radios and instruments which means less

communication and controls (larger aircraft are equipped with radios and instruments).• When a faster aircraft gets behind a slower aircraft, it has to fly slower. If it cannot fly

slower, it has to abort the landing and go around the whole pattern again, increasing air traffic.

• If the faster plane manages to land behind the slower plane, it is still behind the slower plane as it taxies to the apron and fueling area.

Pilots have no choices in Frederick County. Other than privately owned airports restricted to the owner’s use, Frederick County Municipal Airport (FDK) is the only facility available in the County where a pilot can base an airplane.

No alternatives for “home-base” airports causes increased congestion at FDK and increases the risk of air traffic problems both on the ground and in the air. Frederick airport authorities are seeking money to build a tower to maintain a safe separation of dissimilar aircraft especially during periods of air traffic congestion.

FactsFactsWashington Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ)

In early 2003, the FAA implemented the ADIZ and FRZ in the interest of National security in response to the events of 9/11/2001.

The purpose of the ADIZ is to control and monitor flight activity within the Washington Tri-Area Class B Airspace – limiting the convenience of the general aviation pilot to come and go as he pleases.

ADIZ/FRZ operations within the Maryland Statewide Aviation System

FDK4MD8

FactsFacts

Economic Impact of ADIZ/FRZ on Maryland Airports:Concerning the economic impact of the ADIZ/FRZ on Maryland General Aviation

system, a 2007 study by the Maryland Aviation Administration writes:

“Business revenue fell by $29 million at ADIZ/FRZ airfields, reflecting the reduction in airport activity. Conversely, perimeter airports* exhibited a revenue growth of $19 million.”

“… it is apparent that the 14 airports that lie within the ADIZ/FRZ are not recovering from the initial 9/11/2001 fallout, at the levels of the 14 perimeter airports* or the entire Maryland Statewide General Aviation System.”

(* Perimeter airports are those lying just outside the ADIZ boundary)

Source: Executive Summary - THE REGIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL THURGOOD MARSHAL L AIRPORT AND THE STATEWIDE GENERAL AVIATION SYSTEM, page 5.

FactsFacts

Source: Executive Summary - THE REGIONAL AND LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THE BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL THURGOOD MARSHAL L AIRPORT AND THE STATEWIDE

GENERAL AVIATION SYSTEM, page 5.

Concerns Raised by Frederick County BoCCConcerns Raised by Frederick County BoCC

The video of the Frederick County BoCC January 6 Worksession was transcribed to document the following concerns:

1. There is a need for clarification about the upgrade of use proposed for Ijamsville Airport. The request is not for a public, commercial use airport, but for private, commercial use.

Public use means anyone can use the airport. Private use means

• The airport use is limited to the pilots whose aircraft are based at Ijamsville Airport

• No transient aircraft are permitted without permission from owner

• No Federal or State funding is available for airport improvements

Commercial use means that monies can be collected for the storage of the aircraft based at the airport. Storage is usually a combination of “tie-downs” and hanger space.

Concerns Raised by BoCCConcerns Raised by BoCC

2. There is a concern about permitting fuel sales at Ijamsville Airport and whether this would compete with fuel sales at the Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK).

Proposed Fuel Sales would be provided by tank truck from

the Fixed Base Operator at FDK, to the pilots whose aircraft are based at Ijamsville Airport.

Fuel sales at Ijamsville Airport would • Increase revenue for the Fixed Base Operator• Eliminate the need for pilots to go to Frederick, thus

reducing impact on FDK air traffic• Provide additional tax revenue to Frederick City and

County

Concerns Raised by BoCCConcerns Raised by BoCC

3. There is a concern about whether an upgrade in use* would mean “competition” with the Frederick Municipal Airport. (*As defined by MD Aviation)

Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) is the only Public Use airport in Frederick County.

• There are 35 Public Use airports in Maryland.• There are 12 Private Use airports in Frederick County.• There is 1 Military Use airport in Frederick County.

FDK has a 112 aircraft on a waiting list for hanger space. FDK has commercial and jet traffic that conflicts with the needs of the general aviation pilot who flies recreationally.Several airports in Maryland are closing and those pilots are looking for another small, less congested airport to base their aircraft.Federal or State Funding is only available to Public-use Airports **

(**Source: http://www.marylandregionalaviation.aero/content/airportdevassistance/index.html)

Concerns Raised by BoCCConcerns Raised by BoCC4. There is a concern about “opening the door” to increase in

the establishment of other private-use, commercial-use airports in Frederick County.

It is economically unfeasible to create a new airport due to land costs, site development, and compliance to State and Federal. Regulations.

The Text amendment could incorporate requirements that would virtually prohibit the addition of any new private-use, commercial-use airports.Suggestions: • Require private-use, commercial-use airports to be located on a

minimum of 120 acres.• Require at least one boundary of the property be contiguous with other

compatible uses such as landfills, industrial zones, railroads, wood waste processing, composting, waste-to-energy facilities, and agricultural uses.

Of the 13 existing airports in Frederick County, only 1 could meet these requirements – Ijamsville Airport.

Concerns Raised by BoCCConcerns Raised by BoCC

5. There is a safety concern about the proximity of Ijamsville Airport airspace to Frederick Municipal Airport (FDK) airspace.

State and Federal Licensing requirements imposes controls on the use of airspace and eliminates concerns about safety:

.06 Airports: General *

A. Public Safety. The MD Aviation Administration may not issue or renew an airport license or registration if operations conducted at the airport seriously impair public safety.

D. Approval of FAA. An airport may not be licensed or registered by MD Aviation Administration without airspace approval by the FAA.

Proximity to FDK airspace is not an issue. The MD Aviation letter of Nov 2008 to Ijamsville Airport cites a “favorable airspace determination from FAA and Airport Master Record on file.”

* Source: Title 11, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, Subtitle 03 MARYLAND AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, Chapter 04 Aeronautical Regulations

Concerns Raised by BoCCConcerns Raised by BoCC6. There is a concern about the increased “intensity of use”

from 2 airplanes to a potential of 100 airplanes, 40 hangers.

No expansion of existing Ijamsville Airport is needed to accommodate 100 aircraft.

Use will continue to be limited to aircraft who can take-off or land within 1800 ft in 90 degrees Farenheit.*

Increased Need: At least 30 planes are likely to move to Ijamsville Airport due to airport closures expected in the next 3 years.

Airplane “footprint” for 100 aircraft is 2.9 acres• Tie-downs for 60 aircraft have a footprint of 1.3 acres **• Hangers for 40 aircraft have a footprint of +1.5 acres***

=2.8 acres

Of the 180 acre parcel, 2.8 acres is only 1/64th of the total acreage(* as specified by the aircraft manufacturer)

(** 57,720 total sq ft; based on dimensions of wingspan of 37 ft X fuselage of 26 ft. X 60 airplanes on the ground)

(*** 67,200 total sq ft; based on hanger dimensions of 40 ft X 42 ft X 40 hangers to house 40 airplanes)

Concerns Raised by BoCCConcerns Raised by BoCC

7. There is a concern that the Ijamsville Airport’s upgrade in use compromises the Ag zone that is primarily intended for plant and animal husbandry.

The Ijamsville Airport is located on a working farm. 52% of the 180 acre parcel is in cropland. Current cash crop is hay. Upgrade in airport use will not affect the acres in cropland. No expansion of the existing airport is needed to

accommodate more aircraft. Tie-downs for 60 small airplanes plus hangers for 40 airplanes

have a footprint of 2.8 acres, less than 1/64th of the 180 acres!

4MD8 Preserves Agricultural Use4MD8 Preserves Agricultural Use

180 acre parcel with

Ijamsville Airport

Existing Airport

approx. 12 acres

non-tillable No

change to existing Ag use!

93.03 acres

tillable, in crop

86.97 acres

wooded or non-tillable

17.55 acres

7.97 acres

19.87 acres

15.51 acre

9.86 acres

22.27 acres

Back-up SlidesBack-up Slides• Airport Comparisons (Hagerstown, Frederick and Ijamsville Airport

• Airport Closure Projections

• Map of Maryland Public Use Airports

• Aerials of Hagerstown, Frederick and Haysfield Airports

• No Federal or State Funding for Private Airports

• Pilots in Maryland

• US Airport Statistics

• Establish an Airport in Maryland

• Definitions

Airport ComparisonsAirport Comparisons

 HAGERSTOWN (HGR)   FREDERICK (FDK)  

IJAMSVILLE (4MD8)Upgrade in Use

Ownership: Public-owned   Public-owned  Private-ownership

(no change)

Owner: Washington County   Frederick City   (no change)

Licensed by State of Maryland:Public-use,

Commercial-use  Public-use,

Commercial-use  Private-use,

Commercial-use

Control Tower: 1   0   0

Terminal: Yes   Yes   N/A

         

Aircraft based on the field: 140   271   100

Single engine airplanes: 110   188  

Multi engine airplanes: 20   27  

Jet airplanes: 4   7   N/AHelicopters: 3   19  

Ultralights: 3   30  

Source: FAA Statistics

Airport ComparisonsAirport Comparisons

HAGERSTOWN (HGR)   FREDERICK (FDK)  IJAMSVILLE (4MD8)

Upgrade in Use

Aircraft operations (average, per day):

129/day*   414/day*   13.3/day**

Transient general aviation:55%    69%    0%

Local general aviation: 28%    27%    100%

Military: 10%    4%    0%

Air taxi: 7%    <1%    0%

*average per day, for 12-month period

ending 31 March 2008

Source: FAA statistics  

*average per day, for 12-month period ending

09 May 2008

Source: FAA statistics  

**2 take-offs and 2 landings per month X

100 aircraft(400 operations

/30 days= 13.3/dayEstimates only

* Source: FAA statistics

HAGERSTOWN (HGR)   FREDERICK (FDK)  IJAMSVILLE (4MD8)

Upgrade in Use

Runways 2 2 1

(no change)

Surface: asphalt

 asphalt

  asphalt (no change)

Runway lights:  yes   yes  yes

(no change)Instrument approach:  ILS/DME on Runway 9

and Runway 27  ILS on Runway 23   None

(no change) Runway 9/27 Runway 5/23 Runway 12/30

Length: (length X width)  7000 x 150 ft.   5220 x 100 ft.  

2600 x 75 ft.(no change)

Sq Ft of Surface:1,050,000 sq ft   522,000 sq ft  

195,000 sq ft(no change)

Runway 2/20 Runway 12/30 N/A Length: 

(length X width)3160 x 100 ft.   3600 x 75 ft.

Sq Ft of Surface: 316,000 sq ft   270,000 sq ft

Taxiways 10   10  None

(no change)

Airport ComparisonsAirport Comparisons

* Source: FAA statistics

Airport Closure ProjectionsAirport Closure ProjectionsSeveral Maryland airport closures are projected in the next three years:

• Haysfield (Ellicott City, Howard County), private/commercial• Davis (Laytonsville, Montgomery County), public/commercial• Suburban (Laurel, Prince George County), public/commercial

These airports are all within the Washington ADIZ/FRZ.

Statistics on Abandoned Landing Facilities, U.S. (2003/2004) *

•Public use 10 8%

•Private use 117 92%

AOPA’s Airport Support Network **

The Airport Support Network was established in 1997 to “combat the increasing threats against community airports that culminated in record airport closure rates averaging two per week in the mid-1990s.”

(**Source: AOPA’s Guide for Airport Advocates)

* Source: AOPA Fact Card (2006)

Map of Maryland Public Use Airports

(W18) Suburban is closing

(W50) Davis is closing

There is no Federal or State Funding for Private-use Airports

The Airport Improvement Program Grants provide federal funding to government or public-owned airports for

• Repair and upgrade of runways, taxiways, ramps, and lighting systems

• Removal of trees and other obstacles from runway approaches

• FAA will cover 95% of the costs

• States and airports each pay two and one half percent of the total project cost

• Nearly 3 million of State dollars in capital development projects at government or public-owned airports are funded annually under this program

(Source: http://www.marylandregionalaviation.aero/content/airportdevassistance/index.html)

No Federal or State Funding for Private-use Airports

Haysfield AirportAg zoned, in operation since 1970, Private Use/Commercial

Use Owner, Alfred Bassler (Howard County)

Compatible uses at Haysfield:

Wholesale Nursery

Wood waste recycling

Horse Boarding Facility

Haysfield AirportKindergarteners visit Haysfield Airport for Show-n-Tell

A field trip to learn about airplanes and the joys of flying.

Frederick Municipal Airport

Photo Credit: HF Payne

Public Use/Commercial Use

2 runways, 10 taxiways

271 planes based on the field

Hagerstown AirportPublic Use/Commercial Use

2 runways, 10 taxiways, 140 planes based on the field

Pilots in MarylandPilots in MarylandPilots – Active Certified

State Total ATP Commercial 1 Private Student Misc. 2 Flight Instructor 3

U.S. 651,551 139,910 120,073 221,363 79,214 2,270 88,721

Maryland 7,840 1,787 1,627 3,108 1,300 18 1,228

1Includes pilots with an airplane only certificate. Also includes those pilots with an airplane and a helicopter and/or glider certificate2 Includes helicopter, glider, and balloon3 Not included in total

Source: AOPA Fact Card (2006)

651,551 U.S. Pilots:

Hours Flown (Millions) 47.6 100%

General Aviation 28.1 59%

Air Carrier 19.5 41%

U.S. Airport StatisticsU.S. Airport StatisticsSource: AOPA Fact Card (2006)

Aircraft Landing Facilities 19,842 100%

Airports 13,817 70%

Heliports 5,436 27%

STOLports (Short Takeoff & Landing) 88 0%

Seaplane bases 501 3%

Type of Ownership

Publicly owned 5,130 26%

Privately owned 14,715 74%

Type of Use

Public use 5,288 27%

Private use 14,532 73%

Longest Runway

Less than 3,000 ft 13,726 69% (Example: Ijamsville Airport)

Between 3,000 ft and 5,999 ft 5,045 25% (Example: FDK)

Between 6,000 ft and 9,999 ft 802 4% (Example: HGR)

10,000 ft or more 269 1%

To establish an airport in Maryland:

1.Obtain FAA airspace approval.Complete FAA Form 7480-1

2.Obtain local county zoning approval.

3.Complete an Application for Airport License/Registration from Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA).

4.Pass a safety inspection from the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA).

Establish an Airport in MarylandEstablish an Airport in Maryland

Source: Title 11, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, Subtitle 03 MARYLAND AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, Chapter 04 Aeronautical Regulations

.02 Definitions

C. "Commercial use airport" means any airport which:

(1) Charges landing or tie down fees;

(2) Sells aviation fuel or oil;

(3) Rents space;

(4) Sells goods or services, whether for profit or not;

(5) Engages in any activity for which fees are charged or payment is received; or

(6) Engages in any combination of the above activities.

I. "Private use airport" means any airport which the owner or person having a right of access and control authorizes use only to specific designated individuals and occasional guests.

J. "Public use airport" means any airport, whether privately or publicly owned, which the owner or persons having a right of access and control invite, encourage, or allow flight operations by the public. Any airport that is not a private use airport is a public use airport.

DefinitionsDefinitions

Source: Title 11, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, Subtitle 03 MARYLAND AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, Chapter 04 Aeronautical Regulations