Airport Solutions - New      

 
The
Airport Solutions Update
is intended to keep the public informed about ongoing efforts to improve air service at Friedman Memorial Airport and to pursue
a replacement airport.
Our goal is to be open, accessible and as transparent as possible for all.

 

The Update is posted on our website and sent to our email database as new information becomes available. To become a subscriber, please go to WWW.IFLYSUN.COM
and click on the "Airport Solutions Update" button on the left hand side. 

 

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

 

May 2014  

  

The Friedman Memorial Airport Authority (FMAA) has made great strides in recent months identifying a plan to address FAA design deficiencies at Friedman Memorial Airport and exploring ways to improve reliability and increase air service. The latest updates regarding these efforts and others are outlined below.  

 

Improvements to Friedman Memorial Airport - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has indicated that the Airport 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 (C-III) for aircraft that use the Airport currently. The team has identified a plan to meet congressionally-mandated runway safety area requirement by the December 31, 2015 deadline and is currently in the process of implementing it.

Runway Safety Area Improvements Project      

 
  • Project 1: relocating hangar taxi lane/overlay apron/security fence improvements. Project is underway and on schedule.
  • Project 2: relocate/extend Taxiway B and runway safety area grading. Project has begun and is on schedule.
  • The plans for Projects 3 & 4: terminal reconfiguration and airport operations building. Plans have been submitted to the City of Hailey Planning & Zoning Commission for design review. A hearing is scheduled for June 9.
  • The bidding for Project 5: terminal apron reconstruction/site preparation. Bidding is scheduled for June, with a goal of starting work in August 2015.
  • Value appraisals of the hangars and Forest Service Helitack facility impacted by the RSA Improvements Project are complete. Purchase negotiations will begin.
  • The RSA Improvements Projects will bring Friedman Memorial Airport into compliance with FAA design standards. They will allow Friedman to survive and thrive with the type and size of aircraft that currently use the airport. They do not address the reliability issues at Friedman. Some improvement to reliability has come with the change to Regional Jets. FMAA continues to work with the FAA to explore new approaches to improve reliability.
  

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.  

  

  • With the Master Plan Scope of Work approved by the Board in the April meeting, Staff is working through an Independent Fee Estimate and Fee Negotiation Process.

 

Improvements to Air Service:  

  • This spring FSVA, FMAA and Sun Valley Resort met with officials from airlines serving SUN to review this past winter's performance and discuss service for the upcoming summer and winter seasons.  The meetings were very productive. 2014/15 contracts for service with both Alaska and United are expected to be finalized by early June.  Delta, which took over the SUN-SLC route in January with new regional jet service, is reviewing potential enhancements to their SUN service as well.  
    •  

General 

  • CHECK-IN 90 minutes before 9am - SUN air travelers advised to check-in early this summer for morning flights
    • This summer, beginning July 2, there will be 3 flights departing SUN before 9:00am - SLC, SFO and DEN.  Since each of these flights is via a 70 passenger regional jet, it is going to be a VERY busy time for check-ins and security. FMAA is encouraging all SUN outbound air travelers to check-in at least 90 minutes in advance for morning flights.
 

Upcoming Opportunities to Learn More
  • Coffee Talk - Q&A with Airport Manager Rick Baird and Communications Director, Candice Pate
    • Tuesday, May 27, 7:30-9AM at Shorty's Diner in Hailey  

     

  • Airport Tour - see the challenges first hand
    • Wednesday, May 28, 12:00-1:30PM, light lunch will be served. Space is limited, email Cecilia@flyfma.com to reserve your spot. 

 
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