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September 9, 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-III). The team has identified a plan to meet congressional safety area requirements by the December 31, 2015 deadline and is currently in the process of implementing it.
Runway Safety Area Improvements Project
- All Modifications to Standards (MOS) have been submitted to the FAA and Airport Staff is confident there will be no further delays to final approval.
- After much deliberation, FMAA has approved a phasing plan for construction that is safe, limits impact, and maximizes efficiency, in that order. Under this plan, the project would be completed July 2015, a few months prior to the December 31, 2015 deadline. It will require two airport closures of approximately one month each in late April-early May of both 2014 and 2015. The projected closure dates for 2014 are April 28 - May 22 (re-opening in time for Memorial Day weekend).
- After a bid process that opened August 26 and four bid submissions, FMAA has accepted the lowest bid from Knife River for Phase 1 of the project, scheduled to begin late September.
- Terminal and shop/office complex building concepts continue to be refined by Mead & Hunt and Ruscitto/Latham/Blanton respectively.
- The Airport Layout Project (ALP) update , which reflects all of the runway safety area improvements, is nearing completion.
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.
- Airport staff is working with the FAA to preserve as much information gathered in the Environmental Impact Study (EIS) as possible. FMAA requested formal termination of the EIS this spring.
Improvements to Air Service:
- At the end of August, FMAA in collaboration with Fly Sun Valley Alliance and the Sun Valley Company, announced the start of non-stop flights from SUN to San Francisco (SFO) on United Airlines, starting December 12.
- We expect to hear in late September or early October whether this year's Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASDP) grant request has been approved.
Upcoming Opportunities to Learn More
- Coffee Talk - Q&A with Airport Manager Rick Baird and Communications Director, Candice Pate
- Tuesday, September 24, 7:30-9AM at Java in Hailey
- Airport Tour - see the challenges first hand
- Wednesday, September 25, 5:30-7:00PM. Space is limited, email Cecilia@flyfma.com to reserve your spot.
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