Aviation Committee Meeting

Transcription

1 Aviation Committee Meeting Chair: Paul Haney (Englander Knabe & Allen) Vice Chairs: Jim Dunn (Airtel Plaza Hotel) Stacy Howard (National Business Aviation Association) Lunch Courtesy of WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2015 Noon 1:30 p.m. Aerolease Associates: Van Nuys Airport East 7943 Woodley Avenue, Van Nuys, CA Welcome & Self-Introductions 2. VICA Announcements & Updates AGENDA 3. Legislative Updates from Elected Official Staffers 4. Regional Aviation Forecasts Update: presentation, Ryan Hall, Regional Aviation Planning Specialist, Southern California Association of Governments 5. Replacement Passenger Terminal at Burbank Bob Hope Airport Update: presentation, Mark Hardyment, Director of Government & Environmental Affairs, Burbank Bob Hope Airport 6. Burbank Bob Hope Airport Ground Access Study Update: presentation, Mark Hardyment, Director of Government & Environmental Affairs, Burbank Bob Hope Airport 7. Initiative to re-activate the LAX Helipad: presentation and action item, Professional Helicopter Pilots Association 8. Southern California Metroplex: action item 9. Old/New Business 10. Upcoming Aviation Committee Meeting Dates: Nov. 4 Conflict of Interest Policy: You must disclose a conflict of interest prior to speaking on an issue. This requirement does not prevent you from voting on the item.

2 Originating Committee: Aviation Date: August 12, 2015 Initiative to Re-Activate LAX Heliport Position: The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) supports/opposes the Professional Helicopter Pilots Association s (PHPA) initiative to re-activate the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) helipad. Background: A heliport is a dedicated landing space for helicopters. The LAX Heliport was constructed in the early 1980s and began operation in In October 2010, the heliport was temporarily closed due to construction activity at the Bradley West International Terminal. In March 2011, the airport officially published the closure in the FAA s Airport Facilities Directory. LAX submitted FAA Form 7480 to officially deactivate the heliport in March The Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) identified several key benefits and concerns regarding the heliport. Possible uses identified by LAWA include leasing half the space to a private operator for a 10-year term, converting the heliport to public parking or creating an emergency helicopter landing facility for public parking and infrequent helicopter use. LAWA recommends preserving the site as an emergency helicopter landing facility until another site is identified. Once an alternative is selected, the facility would be converted to public parking. The PHPA requested that the FAA conduct an Informal Investigation under Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 13.1 regarding a claimed violation of Federal Grant Assurances. LAWA is the main operator of LAX s primary heliport. As such, LAX receives federal grants from the FAA to support the operation of LAX through investments that include the heliport. The law requires the heliport to be available to the public as a primary helicopter access point. The request is to re-activate the LAX Main Terminal Heliport in its full current form for service by commercial and private helicopters. Impacted Entities: helicopter pilots, helicopter associations, Los Angeles International Airport, local communities, neighboring residents, surrounding cities, aviation passengers Business Nexus: Activating the LAX heliport would bring new revenue into the area by providing economic growth for the helicopter community. The heliport provides options for professional, recreational or emergency transportation. There are concerns regarding improvement costs, helicopter noise and compatibility between helicopter operations and future LAX operations. Discussion: Support Argument: Re-activating the LAX heliport would bring much needed aviation resources into the local community. It would provide a new transportation option for recreational and business aviation. LAX would see increased developments and funds brought into the airport from construction and operational revenue. As LAX continues to see increased boardings and departures, the LAX Heliport will bring much needed infrastructure. It will increase the capacity without the need to build more infrastructure. The Valley Industry & Commerce Assn 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste. 208, Sherman Oaks, CA phone: fax:

3 heliport is the only direct and convenient access to LAX for commercial and private helicopter operators and their guests. This new resource will offer a stable revenue source for the airport from leasing space. The heliport will also add substantial service to the airport by making it accessible to emergency services. Police and fire helicopters would be able to use the heliport for emergency landings, increasing the safety and well being of the community. Helicopters can be used in locations and missions when fixed-wing aircrafts may not be appropriate, including medical evacuations and certain law enforcement situations. Opposition Argument: The LAX Heliport, if re-activated, would increase aviation traffic and related noise levels. Residents in the San Fernando Valley have raised concerns with helicopter issues, including increased noise and pollution. The FAA recently completed a Los Angeles Helicopter Noise Initiative in 2013 to study noise levels in the region. The report recognized that the airspace over Southern California is among the most congested and complex in the world. In this dense setting, it is difficult to identify helicopter routes that are safe, efficient and serve noise-abatement purposes. The operation of the LAX Heliport will serve as a shuttle route for businesses and agencies to transport individuals to smaller municipal airports. Opening the heliport sets a dangerous precedent that will create increased noise and pollution not only around LAX, but other areas as more passengers travel from LAX via helicopters. It would also be fiscally irresponsible for LAX to re-activate the heliport. If the infrastructure is used for automobile parking, it would generate approximately $1 million 2 million annually. Using the area for heliport operation would only generate approximately $100,000 annually. The 70,884 sq. ft. of space could be used to create parking spaces with expected revenue of $10,500 per parking space. Committee Discussion: Pending Aviation Committee discussion. Supporters: Professional Helicopter Pilots Association (sponsor) Opponents: The City of Lomita Process History: Brought to Aviation Committee on August 12, 2015: Brought to the Board of Directors on August 27, 2015: Valley Industry & Commerce Assn 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste. 208, Sherman Oaks, CA phone: fax:

4 Southern California Metroplex Project Originating Committee: Aviation Date: August 12, 2015 Position: The Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) supports/opposes the Southern California Metroplex project. This project takes a regional approach to regulating airspace for the purpose of optimizing air traffic procedures in busy metropolitan areas. Background: In January 2009, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) asked the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) to create a task force to make recommendations for implementing the Next Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen). The NextGen system is an FAA program designed to modernize our national airspace by creating a series of various initiatives. On Sept. 9, 2009, RTCA issued five recommendations toward implementing NextGen. One of these recommendations directed the FAA to prepare for Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) on a metroplex basis. A metroplex is a geographic area covering several airports serving major metropolitan areas. Based on the report, the FAA began the Metroplex initiative. The purpose of the metroplex initiative is to optimize air traffic procedures and airspace on a regional scale to improve efficiencies. This is done by creating procedures that use new technological advancements that allow for better access to the National Airspace System. This approach looks at airspace congestion and other factors that reduce efficiency in busy areas. The initiative proposes reducing conventional procedures that require larger clearance areas and accurate signal reception in favor of Area Navigation (RNAV). The RNAV method of navigation allows aircraft operation on any desired flight path or user-preferred route. The Draft Environmental Assessment for the Southern California Metroplex was released on for public review and comment on Wednesday, June 10. The public comment period is open for written comments until Tuesday, Sept. 8. Impacted Entities: Bob Hope (Burbank) Airport (BUR), Camarillo Airport (CMA), Mc Clellan-Palomar Airport (Carlsbad) (CRQ), Fullerton Municipal Airport (FUL), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Long Beach Airport (Daugherty Field) (LGB), Camp Pendleton MCAS (Munn Field) Airport (NFG), Point Mugu Naval Air Station (NTD), North Island Naval Air Station (NZY), Ontario International Airport (ONT), Oxnard Airport (OXR), Palm Springs International Airport (PSP), San Diego International Airport (SAN), Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA), Brown Field Municipal Airport (SDM), Santa Monica Municipal Airport (SMO), John Wayne-Orange County Airport (SNA), Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (TRM), Bermuda Dunes (UDD), Miramar Marine Corps Air Station (NKX), Van Nuys Airport (VNY), general aviation service providers, residents throughout Southern California, local businesses Business Nexus: Businesses that rely on aviation services could see increased efficiencies as NextGen is implemented. Businesses located under new direct paths may see negative effects of aviation become more visible. Valley Industry & Commerce Association 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste. 208, Sherman Oaks, CA phone: fax:

5 Discussion: Support Argument: The proposed metroplex priorities will allow substantial improvements to aviation procedures. These changes will offer direct and indirect benefits, including streamlined operations and more efficient services. Industry experts agree NAVAID technology is outdated. There are many other readily available technologies, including RNAV, that offer better results. More than 90 percent of U.S. scheduled air carriers are equipped with RNAV, while only 23 of the 96 existing procedures are RNAV procedures. Existing procedures lack the inherent efficiencies in RNAV-based procedures. This is because they rely on technology that cannot provide specific navigational benefits for aircrafts. RNAV can reduce controller and pilot workload, adding efficiency by enhancing predictability, flexibility and route segregation. With these benefits, the FAA will be better equipped to provide the efficient use of airspace. The released Environmental Assessment has shown that the metroplex project will not create new significant noise, wildlife or environmental justice concerns. The project is also expected to not affect any historic or cultural resources. Opposition Argument: Changing flight patterns will have a significant impact on businesses and homes located under the flight paths. Fewer people may notice the noise, but those who do will have to experience a disproportionate amount of noise and emissions pollution. The Southern California metroplex plan claims to be more efficient, yet the Environmental Assessment shows a 0.33 percent increase in fuel efficiencies. This would result in increased emissions levels across the region. There have been instances across the country where communities have seen the negative consequences of NextGen and metroplex planning. The city of Phoenix recently filed a lawsuit against the FAA after new RNAV route changes exposed tens of thousands of residents to intolerable noise levels. Given the dense geographic population of our region, these unforeseen effects could be exponentially worse if brought to Southern California. Committee Discussion: Pending discussion in Aviation Committee. Supporters: No official supporters as of August 4, Opponents: No official opponents as of August 4, Process History: Brought to Aviation Committee on August 12, 2015: Brought to the Board of Directors on August 27, 2015: Valley Industry & Commerce Association 5121 Van Nuys Blvd., Ste. 208, Sherman Oaks, CA phone: fax: