A NEW LOOK.
We're excited to share our new look!
Stay tuned for many new features as we develop our new website that will offer enhanced features like flight tracking and much, much more.
The best is yet to come!
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A NEW APPROACH
FOR PILOTS MEANS IMPROVED
RELIABILITY
FOR TRAVELERS!
It's a pretty BIG deal.
THE SHORT VERSION:
As pilots descend into FMA on the
same glide path as before, new approach
procedures provide significantly improved cloud ceiling
minimums (old: 1800 ft., new: 900 ft.) allowing aircraft to land at the airport in lower cloud cover during times
of inclement weather conditions.
The take away:
FEWER CANCELLATIONS
AND DIVERSIONS, likely resulting in less enhanced busing.
Over the last four years (2013-2016), we believe there has been an average of 120 cancellations/diversions per year. Mother Nature always has the last word, but based on historical weather data, we believe we could see at least an increase in reliability of 60 percent with the new approaches.
THE MEDIUM VERSION:
On July 21, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released new public instrument flight procedures for the Friedman Memorial Airport.
The new approach procedures provide aircraft operators significantly improved cloud ceiling minimums allowing aircraft to land at the airport in lower cloud cover conditions during times of inclement weather. Improvements now will allow aircraft to descend up to 900 ft. lower than before during public approaches. (Depending on aircraft equipage, performance capabilities and crew training, the change ranges from 160 ft. up to 900 ft. lower.)
The result is drastic improvements to reliability of the airport. These changes will significantly reduce the number of diversions and cancellations encountered by the air carriers, compared to the past. Important benefits include maintaining our level of safety at the airport during inclement weather while providing improved reliability, an improved visitor/passenger experience, and reduced negative economic impact.
The ability of aircraft to descend under lower ceiling conditions while using these new approaches will not result in aircraft flying lower over areas south of the airport while on instrument approach. Aircraft will still transition from the instrument approach environment on the same glide path as the existing visual glide path and on the general visual approach altitudes that have been in use for years.
These new approaches are made possible through a combination of factors: Advancements in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology utilized by the FAA in developing instrument flight procedures in combination with the capabilities of high-performing aircraft fleets that use Friedman Memorial Airport. All new procedures are satellite based, requiring no new ground based navigational aids.
Awesome!
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 THE RESULTS ARE IN.
Third-party survey results indicate that Blaine County residents feel pretty good about our airport.
According to a recent survey conducted for Friedman Memorial Airport by Barry Zeplowitz & Associates (BZA), residents of Blaine County have a positive overall opinion of Friedman Memorial Airport.
Highlights of the survey indicate 1) a high level of satisfaction with recent improvements to the airfield and the terminal, and 2) community support for new investments to the current location if it will improve air service.
Here is a link to the full survey results including a detailed description of the methodology used and raw data.
BZA, a 35-year old survey research company, has conducted a number of surveys in Blaine County over the past several years (think Bike Path Levy and other projects). Previous polling results in Blaine County have reflected the outcome of the referendum they polled. In each case, including the poll for Friedman Memorial Airport, BZA completed 300 live interviews which statistically provides a margin of error of +/-5.7%. ( For reference, most pollsters use a sample of 1,000 to 1,500 for national polls, which results in +/- 3% margin of error. Source: www.gallup.com)
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FACTS AND STATS FROM
FOURTH OF JULY
and the
'AIRPORT EVENT'
1,936 takeoffs + landings
(a.k.a. operations) - Between July 1 and July 10
That's really busy.
367 Operations on July 5
The first day of the "airport event" was July 5. FMA's airspace was at arrival capacity (+/- 13 arrivals per hour) for about 8 hours between 10am and 6 pm.
Per the air traffic control tower and Rick Baird,
"Quite possibly the busiest day in the airport's history."
No accidents or incidents
The BEST part!
Fine Work
by airport operations staff, Atlantic Aviation staff, the SUN air traffic control tower staff, and FAA Salt Lake Center staff.
Last but not least, thank you to all our local based tenants and neighbors for hanging in there with us during this very busy and unique event...
Well Done!
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WHY CAN'T YOU JUST SAY '5 MILES?'
I don't have an answer for that, but I can tell you that a nautical mile is based on the circumference of the earth, and is equal to one minute of latitude.
It is slightly more than a statute (land
measured) mile (1 nautical mile = 1.1508 statute miles).
Nautical miles are used for charting and navigating. Nautical mile
(W
ait, that's the answer, isn't it? Because we are charting and navigating.)
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UPDATE
New FAA regulations for Unmanned Aerial Systems (a.k.a "drones") will take effect August 29, 2016.
HERE are all the official details from the FAA. Bottom line: if you intend to fly your drone or other unmanned aircraft within 5 nautical miles of the airport, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO GET PERMISSION FROM AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL. Please call Airport Operations at 720-5186 to tell them your plans or to ask for assistance.
Your hobby won't be dictated by the local airport manager, but in some cases your flight request may be denied. If you are told that you can't fly in a particular spot, it's likely for safety reasons that carry weight. You don't want to be in violation of interfering with a manned flight!
Okay, here's the deal. You do have some FAA rules to follow if your drone weighs
more than 0.55 lbs
. If you don't already know if you fall into this category,
here
are all the details along with examples that will help you determine if you need to register.
In fact, the FAA has a really cool app available for free that will help identify restrictions.
Here's FMA's take on the DRONE ZONE.
Operating drones within 5 miles of the airport's "Class D" airspace is prohibited without permission of Air Traffic Control. Notification to the airport and air traffic control tower must be acknowledged 24 hours in advance, at a minimum.
Operators are also required to contact the air traffic control tower no less than one hour prior to flight, in order to assure approval of the operation.
What if I'm further away?
If unmanned aircraft are to be operated
more than 5 nautical miles from Friedman Memorial Airport, in any direction, there is no requirement to notify the airport.
However, courtesy notification in the interest of general safety is appreciated.
For notification and information, operators should call
Airport Operation at
720-5186.
Required information:
- Name of operator
- Operator's contact phone number
- UAS registration number
- Location of operation
- Date of operation
- Hours of operation (start and end times)
Operational Requirements:
- Operators will ensure that their aircraft remains clear of any/all manned flights.
- Operators will maintain line of sight visual contact with their aircraft at all times.
- Operators will insure that they operate their aircraft at no more than 400' Above Ground Level (AGL).
- UAS (e.g., drones, model aircraft) may not be operated within one (1) mile of any Friedman Memorial Airport approach or departure path.
- Operators will comply with any/all applicable CFRs (Code of Federal Regulations) and registration requirements as well as applicable federal, state and local regulations/ordinances.
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Operators must seek final clearance to operate from the FMA control tower, one hour prior to flight time.
Reasons operations may be denied include (but are not limited to) potential flight hazards due to special use airspace, helicopter operations in the area, or extraordinary traffic conditions.
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STAY CONNECTED
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