Regional Jets at Friedman Memorial Airport(FMA)- The recent Safety Management System (SMS) review resulted in the FAA approving regional jet-type aircraft (RJ) operations at Friedman under the existing Letter of Agreement with the control tower. The FAA has made a determination that for commercial scheduled RJs to operate at Friedman, an Environmental Assessment (EA) be completed. SkyWest Airlines has made a request to the FAA to modify their operations specification (ops-spec) to fly CRJ700s at Friedman, thus triggering a CRJ700 specific EA.

New Updates:

• Letter of Agreement has been signed by the tower, Airport Manager and FAA.
• Draft Environmental Assessment has been submitted to the FAA for review.
• Once the FAA has completed their review, next steps will be a 30-day public review process. The EA will be posted on the website and at the Airport Manager's Office and at the Ketchum, Hailey and Hailey libraries. Notification of the postings will be sent out via email and advertised in the Idaho Mountain Express.

Previous Updates:

• At the June 5 FMAA meeting, the Board approved a Scope of Services from T-O Engineers in partnership with Mead & Hunt for an Environmental Assessment.
• The EA will evaluate impacts on air quality, fish, wildlife, plants, and surrounding areas, including noise.
• The EA process is extensive, with multiple opportunities for public review and comment.
• The estimated budget for the EA is $78,000, which will be funded by FMAA.
• The EA is expected to be completed in September.
• The EA is airline and aircraft specific, meaning this EA is to study SkyWest Airlines operating CRJ700s at Friedman.
 

Improvements to Friedman Memorial Airport - The FAA has told us that FMA has design deficiencies that, if not remedied, could result in the reduction or elimination of some air service. As such, the FMAA has instructed airport staff to work with the FAA to explore what fixes can be made at the existing airport.

New Updates:

• Scope of Work for the Alternatives Technical Analysis has been approved by FAA was approved by the Board at the August 7 FMAA meeting.
• The purpose of this analysis is to investigate possible alternatives to provide a safer airport for the aircraft that use the airport currently (C-II and C-III), as well as to collect and present data to the Seattle Airports District Office.
• Approach:
• Develop alternatives and costs
• Consider full design compliance and other potential alternatives
• Use data from previous studies, as much as possible  (Evaluation and selection of alternatives is not included)
• There are two scheduled updates midway through the process. They will likely take place at FMAA meetings in the fall.

Previous Updates:

• Recent feedback from the FAA's Northwest Mountain Regional Office has shifted the planning approach to a data collection process at Friedman.
• While we had been expecting to conduct a detailed, lengthy study, the FAA has requested a 90-day study to outline alternatives and associated costs at Friedman.
• IMPORTANT: The FAA has indicated the alternatives analysis should not be constrained and may include alternatives that the FMAA has already considered "off the table" as it is important to understand the costs and factors associated with design standards compliance at the airport in order to determine the practicability of pursuing any option.
• A detailed consideration of the alternatives by FMAA utilizing the Guiding Principles and an in-depth public process will be a part of a future planning study.
• Though this is a different approach than expected, the refreshed data will be useful in future planning efforts. Next steps will be to coordinate with the FAA to finalize the Scope of Work and to submit a grant application for cost reimbursement.


Pursuit of a replacement airport- A replacement airport is likely the best long-term solution for this community.  Critical components in the replacement airport process would include evaluating operational feasibility, identifying additional or new funding sources, and locating a feasible site and building community support.

New Updates:

• The FAA believes that the Technical Analysis will provide the vital information required in order to continue the Environmental Impact Study discussion.

Retain/Improve/Develop Air Service

New Updates:

• Passenger Travel Study by Mead & Hunt is underway. Goal is to have some data by the October FMAA meeting.
• Fly Sun Valley Alliance has announced the "Yes to Air" campaign in support of the proposed 1% temporary increase in LOT tax dedicated to supporting and promoting commercial air service to Sun Valley. This initiative supports the Guiding Principles adopted by both the County and the City of Hailey by helping to retain, improve and develop air service. More information can be found at www.yestoair.com.

Previous Updates:

• The FMAA Board approved a proposal from Mead & Hunt for Air Service Consulting Services aimed at gathering information to increase enplanements by improving passenger usage at Friedman
• The Study will focus on measuring the true market seasonality of airport usage patterns as well as airfare monitoring and comparison to our resort competitors.

General

• The next Coffee Talk with Airport Manager, Rick Baird, is scheduled for August 21, 7:30 - 9:00AM at Starbucks in Ketchum.
• The next Airport Tour is scheduled for August 20 at noon. Space is limited, email Cecelia@flyfma.comto save your spot.