Aviation is on the cusp of a paradigm shift ...

So why did the FAA permit Meigs Field to be closed if KORD is so busy,
and the future is for more congestion?



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Business AVflash Volume 2, Issue 6 -- March 31, 2004
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GIRDING FOR GRIDLOCK?
Are the bad old days -- the time when ground delays, in-trail spacing
and lengthy conga lines at airports throughout the U.S. were the norm
-- coming back? Since September 2001, U.S. air traffic delays and
congestion have been virtually nonexistent on a widespread basis. The
ongoing economic doldrums, the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and
intermittent, security-related groundings of non-scheduled aircraft --
among other factors -- have all contributed to relatively few
demand-related ATC delays being imposed on business aircraft operators
over the past two and one-half years. Exceptions include special
events for which special traffic management programs (STMPs) are
issued and, of course, severe weather. However, if you believe all of
the dire predictions from industry and government, the coming summer
could see the return of "hurry up and wait" flight operations in the
en route environment and at major hub facilities around the U.S. Put
simply, the problem is that scheduled operations are projected to
return to "normal," and the result could well be saturation of certain
terminals and sectors at various times of day. And that's just 2004 --
the out-years are projected to be worse. But government officials say
they are on the case. At last week's FAA-sponsored 29th Annual
Aviation Forecast Conference, both Secretary of Transportation Norman
Mineta and FAA Administrator Marion Blakey went to great lengths to
describe the steps their agencies are taking to minimize delays.
Secretary Mineta also said that a new era of government-industry
cooperation is helping to prevent the chronic flight delays
experienced during the summer of 2001 and earlier. "Aviation is on the
cusp of a paradigm shift," Mineta said. "Because a strong economy
depends on a vibrant aviation system, the future of our system depends
on new solutions that keep America as the worldwide leader in
aviation." Mineta and Blakey used last week's conference -- and a
media event at the Herndon, Va., Air Traffic Control Systems Command
Center (ATCSCC) -- to announce a new initiative dubbed "Growth without
Gridlock. "Unfortunately, Blakey's speeches are long on optimism --
especially for economic growth, which she says both will drive and be
driven by increased air travel -- and short on specifics. The good
news is that one of the central reasons for airborne gridlock -- lack
of adequate runways -- is being addressed. According to Blakey,
"several" new runways were commissioned in the past year and six more
"are scheduled to open in the next few years. "The bad news is that
there are more aircraft operated by scheduled air carriers than
before. The big difference is in regional jets, whose performance is
similar to business jets and which are used by the scheduled carriers
to serve routes with frequencies not sustainable with larger,
more-traditional Boeings and Airbuses.
http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archive...ll.html#186988

Larry Dighera wrote:

So why did the FAA permit Meigs Field to be closed if KORD is so busy,
and the future is for more congestion?

The FAA has no say over what someone does with their own property.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

Minor correction...

There are some specific requirements for notifying the FAA in advance of the
airport's closing, but they only apply if the airport has received Federal
funds.

Meigs had not received any Federal funds, which enabled Dickie Daley to make
his midnight raid.

Although, IIRC, some Illinois laws which required notification to the state
of the closing of an airport were violated.


"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Larry Dighera wrote:

So why did the FAA permit Meigs Field to be closed if KORD is so busy,
and the future is for more congestion?

The FAA has no say over what someone does with their own property.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band
to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come
home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

Actually, I believe Meigs had received a grant, but at least initially, the
FAA rolled over and chose to ignore that fact. Daly is a powerful figure in
some political circles. Pressure from AOPA has since caused them to
reconsider.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"Bill Denton" wrote in message
...
Minor correction...

There are some specific requirements for notifying the FAA in advance of
the
airport's closing, but they only apply if the airport has received Federal
funds.

Meigs had not received any Federal funds, which enabled Dickie Daley to
make
his midnight raid.

Although, IIRC, some Illinois laws which required notification to the
state
of the closing of an airport were violated.


"G.R. Patterson III" wrote in message
...


Larry Dighera wrote:

So why did the FAA permit Meigs Field to be closed if KORD is so busy,
and the future is for more congestion?

The FAA has no say over what someone does with their own property.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the
band
to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't
come
home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 15:39:30 GMT, "G.R. Patterson III"
wrote in Message-Id:
:



Larry Dighera wrote:

So why did the FAA permit Meigs Field to be closed if KORD is so busy,
and the future is for more congestion?

The FAA has no say over what someone does with their own property.

It is my understanding that federal AIP funds had been used at Meigs
within 20 years of its closing, and that a condition of receipt of
those funds by the city is the continued operation of the airport for
20 hears hence. So when AIP funds have been spent it is supposed to
effectively insure the continued operation of the airport for 20
years, thus the FAA does have the option of demanding the refund of
the funds if not outright instance that the terms of the contract be
fully enforced keeping it in operation for 20 years.

Larry Dighera wrote:

It is my understanding that federal AIP funds had been used at Meigs
within 20 years of its closing, and that a condition of receipt of
those funds by the city is the continued operation of the airport for
20 hears hence.

According to AOPA, that was not true at Chicago. Even at places in which it is true
(ie. every other airport in the U.S. which has received funds), the airport can be
closed if the funds are repaid.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

"G.R. Patterson III" wrote:

According to AOPA, that was not true at Chicago. Even at places in which it is true
(ie. every other airport in the U.S. which has received funds), the airport can be
closed if the funds are repaid.

Our airport changed ownership/control as a result of the
prior owner's death. Prior to that, the airport had
accepted funds. The new owners have been to court multiple
times and through an FAA review process. The answer so far
is that they cannot merely repay the funds and sell the
airport to build a casino or warehouse. They are still
appealing and would be more than happy to repay if permitted
to do so. I'm not sure if they have to keep it open, but
they sure can't turn it into anything else.

Todd Pattist
(Remove DONTSPAMME from address to email reply.)
___
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On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 15:28:17 -0500, Todd Pattist
wrote:

They are still
appealing and would be more than happy to repay if permitted
to do so. I

To judge by an airport in New Hampshire, which the owners are trying
to close and sell for development, there's another problem beyond
repaying federal money (or monies, as the folks in green eyeshades
like to call it), and that is that the airport must be offered to the
state to purchase if it likes. But perhaps that is a requirement
unique to this state?

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! www.vivabush.org

Cub Driver wrote:

But perhaps that is a requirement unique to this state?

There's something similar in New Jersey.

George Patterson
This marriage is off to a shaky start. The groom just asked the band to
play "Your cheatin' heart", and the bride just requested "Don't come home
a'drinkin' with lovin' on your mind".

which airport?

-Marc


"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 02 Apr 2004 15:28:17 -0500, Todd Pattist
wrote:

They are still
appealing and would be more than happy to repay if permitted
to do so. I

To judge by an airport in New Hampshire, which the owners are trying
to close and sell for development, there's another problem beyond
repaying federal money (or monies, as the folks in green eyeshades
like to call it), and that is that the airport must be offered to the
state to purchase if it likes. But perhaps that is a requirement
unique to this state?

all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! www.vivabush.org