02/04/2015 AIRPARK ADVISORY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CITY OF CLEARWATER
February 4, 2015
Present: Chair Denise L. Rosenberger, Vice-Chair Thomas D. Black, Board Member Richard
Porraro, Board Member W. Bruce Brock, Board Member Paul A. Doric
Also Present: Camilo Soto -Assistant City Attorney II, William Morris - Marine & Aviation
Director, Gordon Wills - Operations Manager, Patricia O. Sullivan - Board Reporter
The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. at City Hall.
2 —Citizens to be Heard re Items Not on the Agenda: None.
3 —Approval of Minutes
3.1. Approve the minutes of the November 5, 2014 Airpark Advisory Board meeting as
submitted in written summation.
Member Black moved to approve Item 3.1. The motion was duly seconded and carried
unanimously.
4 -Tenant & Lease Report from FBO
FBO (Fixed-Base Operator) representative Barbara Cooper reported on tenant levels and
visitors; the t-hangar wait list had 40 names. She said March events include the Young Eagles
Rally and CAP (Civil Air Patrol) cadets will fly.
5—Old Business
5.1. Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) Update
Operations Manager Gordon Wills said the AWOS was inoperable for a while. The contracted
maintenance provider made repairs and completed the first scheduled inspection.
5.2. Hangar D Project Update
Mr. Wills said 2 bids were submitted for the Hangar D replacement project; low bid was
$586,000. The project grant totaled $500,000; FDOT (Florida Department of Transportation)
provided verbal assurance it would increase the grant by $100,000. The City will contribute
$25,000 in Penny for Pinellas funds. The project will be presented to the City Council for
approval on February 19, 2015. The 120-day project should break ground in April or May.
5.3. Informational Signs Update
Mr. Wills said the Airpark had received compliments re new informational signs, which are lit by
LEDs and connected to the Airpark's light system.
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6 — New Business
6.1. Pavement Status Update
Mr. Wills said the apron taxiway to the fuel tanks and maintenance hangar was milled and
repaved using funds from the runway extension project. Last week, Ajax did warranty work
repairing holes in the runway; it was presumed a lightning strike created the holes.
The Airpark Advisory Board recessed from 3:12 to 3:14 p.m.
6.2. Helicopter Operations at Airpark
Mr. Wills distributed copies of complaints from several residents north of the Airpark re
helicopter training operations. Ms. Cooper said the residents lived at the edge of the FAA
(Federal Aviation Administration) approved flying pattern.
FBO David King said business at the Airpark's flight school had increased with the improving
economy. He said Airpark staff was working to track the day to day location of the school's two
training helicopters and had discussed remedies to resolve homeowner concerns such as
flipping the flight pattern, shortening the downwind leg, or alternating the flight pattern on
alternate days or when the wind speed is less than 5 knots. He said helicopters were turning to
land when flying over the residents' homes. (Local resident homes are directly under the
required longstanding posted flight path used by all aircraft for more than 20 years. Helicopters
sound different than planes and, by their sound, stand out more than fixed wing aircraft.)
Mr. King said changing the flight pattern would impact other homes. He said the flight pattern's
altitude cannot be increased as helicopters cannot be higher than 400 feet when descending to
land. He said C130 training at PIE (St. Pete/Clearwater Airport) interfered with helicopter
training at that airport. He said he could not locate a large field near the Airpark for training and
helicopters without floats could not be insured to fly over water.
Discussion ensued with comments that helicopters are noisiest when they turn and suggestions
that the pattern could be varied and the helipad could be relocated to the center of the runway
so that helicopters would not turn above residences. It was stated that neighborhood airports
make noise.
Mr. King said turns and landings practiced during pilot training needed to duplicate skills that
would be tested. He said the number of helicopter pilot students increased. He said the flight
school strictly adheres to the FAA training manual, including safety requirements; Airpark
aircraft cannot occupy PIE airspace. Mr. Wills said student pilots repeat flight patterns as part of
their training. Once they qualify for solo flight, student pilots move away from the Airpark.
Ms. Cooper said she started receiving complaints from one resident about a month ago; the
other two complaints, from the resident's neighbors, were more recent. She said the flight
pattern for aircraft is 500 feet higher than the flight pattern for helicopters. She said several
students on accelerated training programs fly every day. She anticipated complaints will
decrease once air-conditioning is needed. In response to a question, she estimated a student
flies over the same point 3 to 4 times within 2 hours.
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Member Porraro said he would coordinate with the Airpark and visit the concerned resident's
home while helicopter training is underway.
Discussion ensued re adjusting patterns with support expressed for alternating the pattern when
possible and a recommendation that residents be advised re times of heavier training rather
than establishing special rules. Support was expressed for the increase in training at the
Airpark. FBO staff was complimented for the good job they do keeping neighbors happy.
Resident Ellen Hess said she had received one complaint and invited Mr. King to address her
next homeowners' association meeting.
6.3. Open House
Ms. Cooper recommended the Open House be scheduled on April 18, 2015. Acitivities popular
at previous events are planned. She said neighbors may be offered free helicopter rides. Mr.
Wills will invite Astronaut Nicole Stott and try to track down Astronaut Bruce Melnick to forward
an invitation.
6.4. Consultant Discussion
Mike Thompson, with URS Corporation, said implementing precision instrument approaches at
the Airpark had been suggested. He discussed related requirements and said the Airpark did
not meet minimum FAA guidelines for a precision instrument approach as Airpark buildings and
the nearby golf course were within the minimum 1,000 foot primary surface requirement. He
said FAA safety requirements offered no wiggle room and FDOT could withdraw the Airpark's
operating license if it failed to protect the public.
In response to a question, Mr. Thompson said the golf course attracts a congreation of people.
Ms. Cooper said the golf course that abuts the north end of LAX (Los Angeles International
Airport) was grandfathered in.
6.5. Election of Officers
Member Black moved to reappoint Denise L. Rosenberger as Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
Member Brock moved to reappoint Thomas D. Black as Vice Chair. The motion was duly
seconded and carried unanimously.
7 —Agenda for Next Meeting - May 6, 2015
It was requested that tenant concerns re the beacon be discussed.
Items not on the Agenda
In response to questions, Mr. Wills said City electricians had installed the brightest lights
possible to illuminate the ramp at the circle, but it made little difference. Ms. Cooper said the
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lights could not be bright enough to blind pilots and for safety, poles could not be installed closer
to the ramp.
It was stated that the Airpark had upgraded its Wi -Fi system but the signal may not be available
inside some hangars.
Mr. King expressed concern that tenants not set up offices with air - conditioners in the hangars.
8 — Adjourn
The meeting adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Attest:
Boar • Reporter
Chair
Airpark Advisory Board
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