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 IFLYSUN.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.  

June 10, 2013

 

Improvements to Friedman Memorial Airport - The Federal Aviation Administration has indicated that FMA has design deficiencies that, if not remedied, could result in the reduction or elimination of some air service.  As such, FMAA partnered with the FAA to study ways to meet the design standards for aircraft that use the airport currently (C-II and C-III). The team has identified a plan to meet congressional safety area requirement and is currently in the process of implementing it.

Runway Safety Area Improvements Project    

  • The relentless forward progress continues with airport staff and T-O Engineers continuing to refine the specifics around the alternatives and gain approval for the modifications of standard (MOS), while at the same time finalizing costs and scope for Phase I construction to begin this fall.
  • A Safety Risk Management (SRM) Panel was held June 4 and 5 with representatives from FAA's Headquarters office, FAA's Regional office, FAA's Helena Airport District Office and numerous Tenants and Airport Users to review the seven modifications of standard (MOS) Friedman is requesting related to the Runway Safety Area Improvements project. Outcomes will be reported at the July FMAA meeting.
 
Instruments Procedures Feasibility Study 
  • Based on the outcome of the study released in April, the FAA submitted a letter to the FAA requesting modification to the existing approaches/missed approaches.
  • The study, completed in April, showed that improvements in reliability are possible, though they are expensive and difficult to achieve.
  • In addition to potential improvements from modifications to approaches, the study showed that the most effective and widely usable improvements might be achieved through installation of ground-based navigation equipment, such as an investment in an Offset Instrument Landing System (ILS)/LDA, similar to GPS-W. In contrast to past discussion regarding the feasibility of an ILS at the Airport, this type of system might in fact become feasible in conjunction with some of the airfield re-configuration that is anticipated.
  • Airport staff continues to explore ways to improve reliability while it awaits feedback from the FAA on this request.
   

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

  • The FAA sent a letter in response to the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) termination letter that FMAA sent in April.
  • The letter discusses how the FAA plans to proceed and preserve as much of the material and information developed during the EIS project as possible.   

   

General Updates

Potential Friedman Air Traffic Control Tower Closure - FMA's Air Traffic Control Tower is on the FAA's list of 149 airport contract tower closures due to federal budget sequester cuts, which would take effect June 15.

    

 

  • On May 10 the FAA announced it has secured funding through September for all 149 towers threatened to be cut from the contract tower program due to budget sequester cuts.
  • FMAA wishes to thank the Idaho elected officials, the community, business leaders and individuals who joined in the fight to preserve funding for Hailey Tower.
  • Though a temporary solution has been identified, it is critical that we continue to clarify how critical the Hailey Air Traffic Control Tower is for this entire community.

 

SkyWest and Alaska have Announced Additional Flights

  • The additional Skywest flights have begun and Fly Sun Valley announced that Alaska Airlines has extended summer nonstop flights to SUN
  • Be sure to check SUN first for all your travel needs. More demand helps support air service.
 

Upcoming Opportunities to Learn More

  • Coffee Talk - Q&A with Airport Manager Rick Baird and Communications Director, Candice Pate
    • Tuesday, June 25, The Konditorei, Sun Valley  
  • Airport Tour - see the challenges first hand
    • Wednesday, June 26, 5:00-6:30PM. Space is limited, email Cecilia@flyfma.com to reserve your spot.