WATERDOG
Gemini
HDF Silver Supporter
Don't Bother Me, I'm in Havi
 
MENIFEE, CA
Posts: 10,292
APPD 1.60
Post Rank: 8
ELIMINATOR EAGLE
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Posted: Feb. 01 2009,12:58 pm |
Post # 12 |
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Race on the runways
Pilots confront council on risky FBO behavior
By Tony Waggoner
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 10:04 PM MST
Golf cart use by fixed base operation aviation businesses at the Lake Havasu City Municipal Airport could lead to the Federal Aviation Administration revoking the airport’s 139 certificate, which certifies safety standards and provides the basis of the airport’s operations.
Airport Manager Steve Johnston told the Lake Havasu City Council Tuesday the airport could also be in danger of losing FAA grants or of having to pay back previous grants.
Johnston told the council the FAA revoking the airport’s 139 certificate and losing grants is unlikely, though.
“I’m not saying they would do this. I’m saying they could do this,†Johnston said. “The relationship would really have to go south.â€
Pilots complained to the council Tuesday that golf carts used by FBOs to provide fuel service at the airport cause hazardous landing situations.
“I have never ever seen what goes on like what we have here with these golf carts,†pilot Bob McCleary said. “The golf carts dart in front of the airplanes to try and get the number one lead position to lead a pilot to essentially their fuel pump. It’s all about selling fuel, because that’s really about the only thing an FBO can do to generate money at our airport.â€
McCleary said it reminded him of de-boarding a cruise ship in a foreign country where people run up and try to sell a trinket.
The practice has placed pilots in difficult situations. McCleary said at a recent Airport Advisory Board meeting, Johnston spoke of contacting other airports to investigate if the practice is allowed. All the other airports indicated they would not allow the practice.
“It’s not an industry standard,†Johnston said. “We’ve had 14 documented complaints.â€
Community Services Director Stan Usinowicz and Johnson presented the council with a proposed ordinance regulating the operation of vehicles and golf carts at the airport.
Airports the size of the Havasu airport typically have one FBO fuel provider, Usinowicz said. The Havasu airport has three, Desert Skies, D2 Aero and Havasu Air Center.
The airport has been proactive in preventing the problem, but an ordinance would provide regulation. The council instructed Usinowicz and Johnston to make some minor changes regarding what vehicles, particularly segways, would be allowed on airport grounds before bringing the proposed ordinance back at the council’s Feb. 10 meeting.
As part of the ordinance, the council could consider the use of “Follow-me†signs for each of the FBO’s to direct planes to their fuel trucks.
Dante Marinelli, owner of Havasu Air Center, said he supported the ordinance. Marinelli indicated his service is at a major disadvantage because of its location farther north at the airport, but he maintained safe practices are a focus of his FBO.
The three FBOs recently held a meeting with Johnston. Two FBOs reached an agreement to park the carts. The third, McCleary indicated did not. He said the two other FBOs did park their carts for about a week. But, the practice continues.
Johnston pointed out an agreement was also reached to utilize signs detailing the name of all three FBO’s, their radio frequency and the brand of gas they provide. Four signs were put in place.
The Police Department has received several phone calls detailing aggressive behavior with the carts approaching plans in efforts to taxi the aircraft to their respective fuel docks.
An accident involving one of the golf carts recently occurred at the airport, as well. The driver of the cart lost control of the vehicle on a taxiway and struck a fire hydrant, sustaining minor injuries and damage to the cart.
The airport has an FAA part 139-inspection in April.
"Damn you sure know how to fock things up."-GFR
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