Choosing the Right Airport to Call home - Flying Aviation Expo 2014

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Choosing the Right Airport to Call Home

Presented by:Jason Blair

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Choosing an airport to base your aircraft isn’t just about finding the closest airport to your home.

Services and facilities at airports are very different.

Many other factors should be considered in your decision.

These factors greatly affect how much use your aircraft will get and/or how happy you will be at a particular airport!


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A few major topic areas that should be considered when looking at airports to base your aircraft include:

• Airport Infrastructure • Fuel Availability• Local Climate• FBO Services Available• Maintenance Services On Field• Hangars and Aircraft Storage Available• Airport Community• Airport Security• Proximity to Home


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Airport Infrastructure• First – Are the runway(s) long enough?• Are there multiple runways? • What prevailing winds exist?• What approaches are available?• Towered vs. Non-Towered and Radar Served?• Are emergency services available?• Security Features/Obstacles?


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Airport InfrastructureIf you fly a Barron, which airport would be better?


Or?

KFDKFrederick, MI5200’ and 3600’ runways

KCGSCollege Park, MD

2600’ runway

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Airport InfrastructureWhich airport would you choose to base your aircraft at if the prevailing winds for 92% of the year were between 240-320 degrees?


Or?

KZ98Zeeland, MI

KBIVHolland, MI

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Airport InfrastructureWhat if this was an option instead?

What if it was 30 minutes farther away from home?

How about if it was an hour?


KMNMMenominee, MI

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Airport InfrastructureWhat if KZ98 has no instrument approaches but KBIV has a VOR, two GPS, and an ILS approach?

But what if a hangar is $50 less per month and fuel is $.10 less per gallon at KZ98?


Or?

KZ98Zeeland, MI

KBIVHolland, MI

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Airport InfrastructureAvailable Approaches

• What approaches is your aircraft capable of flying? Are you going to do any upgrades to avionics?

• ILS, LPV, LNAV MDA, VOR, NDB Approaches?

• Most common will be ILS or GPS approaches for low minimums flying?

• Do you even fly IFR regularly?

• Are other nearby airports an option if your home airport isn’t?


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Airport InfrastructureTowered vs. Non-Towered and Radar Served?

The choice between being at a towered or a non-towered airport can be important when considering traffic density, comfort with radio procedures, services available to the pilot, and airspace restrictions.

Each has some benefits and negatives.


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Airport InfrastructureTowered Benefits and Negatives• Easier to get clearances for IFR• Traffic management helps keep aircraft “separated”• Requires more radio proficiency• May not be open 24 hours• Can help with radar services (at fields with radar) for helping pilots to the field in emergencies• May have busier traffic patterns or air carrier operations• May have expanded security procedures


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Airport InfrastructureNon-Towered Benefits and Negatives• Typically less congested traffic patterns• Traffic patterns offer no pilot separation services other than the pilot’s own see and avoid practices• Security procedures are commonly less stringent• More work to get IFR clearances and to close flight plans after landing


http://asrs.arc.nasa.gov/publications/callback/cb_364.html




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Airport InfrastructureAre emergency services available?

Nobody wants to need them, but it can be a consideration when thinking about what airport to call home.

Even if the airport doesn’t have dedicated services just for the airport, some municipalities base their emergency equipment at their airports.


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Airport Infrastructure Security Features/Obstacles…


Airport security procedures vary widely and can be positive features or viewed by some as inconvenient obstacles.• Are badges required?• Are gates locked?• How do guests get access to your hangar?• Do you consider security there to help secure airplane or just to keep “terrorists” out?• Security is typically more extensive at air carrier or urban airports.

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Which hangar entrance is more secure…

Or….


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Fuel Availability• What kind of fuel does your aircraft need and it is available on the field?

• Does it get regular turnover or does it sit in the tanks for 6 months?

• Is the historic pricing good, average, or really expensive?


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Fuel Availability• Is it available 24 hours?

• Self Service or Full Service?

• Truck service or taxi to a fuel farm?

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Local Climate• Winter – How is their snow removal?• Hurricanes - How well is the hangar built and will it flood?

• Floods – Yes, some airports are built below flood plains.• Tornadoes – How well is the hangar built?• Heat/Dust/Wind Effects


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Local ClimateSnow removal can be a key factor in the utility of the airport at which you base your aircraft.• Do your wings/engines (especially on twin engine aircraft) clear all the banks to and from your hangar from the runway / ramp?• Does the airport have dedicated equipment?• Do they clear up to your hangar?• How soon is snow removed?


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Local ClimateHurricanes / Tornadoes / StormsHow is the physical construction of the storage structure? Will it stand up to storms?


Think this one would make it through a major storm?

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Local ClimateFloods

Do I have to say anything else?


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FBO Services Available

The types of services available at FBOs for an owner of an aircraft on the field vary greatly and can make or break the owners operational experience.


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FBO Services AvailableA few things to consider that may be provided:

• Bathrooms• Common areas• Flight planning areas

• Meeting areas• Training areas• Rental aircraft in case yours is down for maintenance


• Staff to help pull out or put in aircraft from hangars• Fueling/service staff• Rental cars• 24 hour building access• Internet

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Maintenance Available on FieldHaving maintenance on the field can keep you aircraft flying if anything goes wrong or just get routine yearly maintenance and inspections completed.• Are they familiar with your aircraft?• Certified?• Respected and reputable?• Have the proper tools and space to work on your aircraft?Not all maintenance shops are created equal…do your homework.

Click For More Information about

PAMA

Click For More Information about NATA Safety 1st


http://www.aviationeducation.org/html/memberorganizations/memberdetail.htm?memberid=10058




http://www.nata.aero/Safety-1st.aspx






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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableI would be remiss if I didn’t discuss types of hangars and aircraft storage available…and there are a wide variety!Common Options Include:• Tie-downs• Covered parking• Community hangars• FBO provided• T-hangars• Box hangars• Hanger-homes


What level of protection do you want/need for your

aircraft in consideration of weather, security, and

other things you may want to store in your hangar?

Is your plane an ugly duckling or freshly

repainted to show quality?

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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Tie-downs- Cheapest- Least secure- Plane in the weather- No extra storage- May be temporary options while waiting for a hangar


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Covered parking-More protection- Good idea to still tie aircraft down- Still not very secure- Decent protection from hail


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Community hangars- Shared cost of space- Pretty good protection- May need to move other aircraft to get yours out (liability concerns?)- Probably not able to store other personal goods in a shared hangar


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Community hangars


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableChoosing the Right Airport to Call Home

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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• FBO provided- Community space commonly- Little ability to store other “gear”- FBO staff may help with aircraft movement or may require it- Good security most of the time- Hours of operation may limit when service available- More costly, but services may be worth the extra cost


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• T-hangars- Common at many airports- More privacy- Decent storage area- May or may not have walls between space


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Box hangars- Common at many airports- More storage space- May or may not be attached to other hangars


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Hanger-homes- Always by your plane- Easy access and great storage- Part of an airport community (unless your own personal air strip)- All of the upkeep costs are yours


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Hanger-homes


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableSome other examples


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableCommon Options• Man CavesSome owners have the fortune of havingthe space to make their hangar a real“man cave”Check out the Flying Magazine article on “Pimped Out Hangars” from June 30, 2014 for some great examples!


http://www.flyingmag.com/pilots-places/pilots-adventures-more/pimped-out-hangars

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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableBut the first question always has to be….

Does it fit?Be sure to measure side to side, front to back, and the tail height at the door (not the inside of the hangar).More room is always better to avoid needing to replace wingtips, rotating beacons, etc.Many older hangars were designed with less width than modern aircraft.


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage AvailableRent, Lease or Own?Most people rent hangar space, but buying, building, and/or leasing ground from an airport are all option.• Renting – Consider hangar lease/rental covenants carefully• Leasing/Owning – Agreements are widely variant, in some cases after the lease is terminated the building becomes property of the “airport”; Is it transferable? Can it be sold?


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Hangars and Aircraft Storage Available

Limitations on use or other features?Can you store other things like boats, cars, etc.?Can you work on your plane in the hangar?Can you store fuel?Is it heated?


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Types of Hangar Doors?

Manual? Electric?Rising or sliding?Cables, pulley’s, or roller?Each has its strengths and weaknesses.


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Other Considerations…

Office space?Location, Location, Location –• Are bathrooms nearby?• Is it in the shade or on the sunny side of the airport?• What are your neighbors like? (Does a jet blow Jet A into your hanger every time it leaves?)


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Think your plane would fit through this door?


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Any problems here?


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Airport CommunityThe feeling of the overall airport community is a factor that may increase the pleasure of the experience of locating at a particular airport.

• Do you have friends there?

• Are there similar aircraft there?

• Do tenants at the airport hang around the airport?

• Are there good airport events? (fly-ins, BBQs, Saturday morning coffee, etc.)


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Airport CommunityBut community can also be a detriment….• Who are the other airport users? (airline, military, corporate, etc)

• Are there any events that would hinder your use of the airport? (think Oskosh and Sun ‘N Fun)


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http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/weirsseaplanebase.html


Is an airport even the right place for you

and your plane?

http://www.weirsbeach.com/Largejpgs/weirsseaplanebase.html

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Proximity to HomeIn the end, closeness to home does matter.If you have more than one airport within a reasonable proximity to your home, do your homework and find the one that is best going to allow you to maximize the use of your aircraft and remain in your budget.Look at what is a reasonable travelling distance and find the airport that meets the most requirements you value within that range.


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Thanks for listening!Questions?

Or find more information at:www.JasonBlair.net

http://www.jasonblair.net/

https://www.facebook.com/jason.blair.313

https://twitter.com/skykidjeb

Choosing the Right Airport to Call home - Flying Aviation Expo 2014

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Transcript of Choosing the Right Airport to Call home - Flying Aviation Expo 2014