The purpose of
Airport Solutions Update
is to keep the public informed about the ongoing efforts to improve air service at Friedman Memorial Airport and to pursue
a replacement airport.
Our goal, as always, is to uphold our commitment to the public to be open, accessible and as transparent as possible.

 

Updates are posted on FLYFMA.COM
and sent out via email when new information is available.   

 

*NOTE: Items marked with an asterisk have occurred since the last FMAA meeting and will be briefed at the next meeting.  

December 7, 2012

  

Improvements to Friedman Memorial Airport - The FAA has indicated 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.   The FAA's Northwest Mountain Regional Office has determined the next steps are to execute a technical analysis of possible alternatives to meet the design standards for the aircraft that use the airport currently (C-II and C-III).

 

New Updates:

  • Technical Alternatives Analysis was submitted to the FAA on November 13. They are reviewing and no comments have been received.
  • City of Hailey, and City of Bellevue have both submitted letters to the FAA articulating they do not support alternatives 1-5 and that they are requesting to restart the Environmental Impact Study.
  • The Board of County Commissioners approved a formal response to the Technical Alternatives Analysis that generally states alternatives 1-4 should be avoided.
  • At the December 4 FMAA meeting, the board adopted their own formal response to the Technical Analysis stating they are supportive of a short term planning effort in cooperation with the FAA which results in the following:
    • Achieves the December 2015 RSA deadline if possible;
    • Maintains the current (2012) airfield net capacity;
    • Allows for future flexibility;
    • Makes efficient use of assets;
    • Avoids alternatives with the highest cost and highest social and environmental impacts.
    • Follows Blaine County's Strategic Airport Plan (also known as The Guiding Principles) and The City of Hailey's Airport Guiding Principles;
  • Also noted in the motion was that
    • Blaine County representatives support, in general principle, Alternatives 5 through 7.
    • City of Hailey representatives support, in general principle, Alternatives 6 and 7.
    • The FMAA Independent representative supports, in general principle, Alternatives 4 through 7.
    • The City of Hailey representatives desire that the EIS process be restarted immediately.
  • At the December 4 FMAA meeting, the board gave staff the approval to enter into an agreement with T-O Engineers to complete an Instrument Procedures Feasibility Study.
    • The majority of the study would be completed by Spohnhaimer Consulting, nationally recognized experts in the field who have familiarity with FMA's challenges.
    • The goal of the study would be to look at the feasibility of improving instrument procedures at FMA, in turn, improving reliability.

 Previous Updates: 

 

 

  • At the November 6 FMAA meeting, Dave Mitchell of T-O Engineers presented a final draft of the Alternatives Technical Analysis.
    • Four are in full compliance with essentially all FAA design standards.
    • Three meet as many standards as possible but would require some modifications of standards to achieve compliance.
    • All seven meet runway safety area (RSA) standards, though only two would meet the FAA's congressionally mandated compliance deadline of December 31, 2015.

       

 

Upcoming Opportunities to Learn More

 

  • Coffee Talk - Q&A with Airport Manager Rick Baird and Communications Director, Candice Pate
    • Tuesday, December 18, 7:30-9AM, Starbucks, Ketchum
  • Airport Tour - see the challenges first hand
    • Wednesday, December 19, 12-2PM.  Space is limited, email Cecilia@flyfma.com to reserve your spot.
FLY FMA Footer