Airport NewsLetter Sept. 2010

MEADOW LAKE AIRPORT (00V*)
(* with AWOS certification the airport identifier will change to kFLY)
13625 Judge Orr Road, Meadow Lake Airport (00V), Peyton, Colorado 80831-6051
www.MeadowLakeAirport.com
Newsletter - 3rd Quarter 2010

Attachments: (1) ACC enforcement letter
(2) Notice of Special Meeting & Proxy
(3) Proposed Bylaws Revision – Minimum Assessment
President’s Remarks
A new phase of Meadow Lake Airport management has begun with the new two-year terms and the Board has been positioning for a busy and hopefully productive session. We are planning to take a more proactive posture and are looking forward to improving our relationship with our membership and users, and our resource providers. To that end, we intend to increase and improve our communications. Journalism is not one of my strengths, but I will attempt to publish this newsletter every quarter to keep you up-to-date on our project status and to advertise areas where we can use assistance. We also intend to broaden distribution to include everyone interested in our facility.
In order to take on a more proactive management and planning of the airport, the new Board has tentatively agreed to meet twice a month, with the regular monthly “business” meeting continuing on the second Tuesday and a “workshop” to be held the fourth Tuesday. The latter may vary depending on subject matter and outside agency coordination.
We’d also like to kick things off with a Meadow Lake Airport Day on Saturday, September 18th. We would encourage everyone to take a good look at cleaning up their respective properties and areas of concern and we will provide a roll-on dumpster at the MLAA Hangar for items of disposal. No hazardous materials please, including tires and oil. The Board is calling for a Special Membership Meeting (attachment 2) at 10:00 to discuss and vote on four needed bylaw revisions (see below) and introduce and discuss a MLAA member/user survey. Over the next year or two, the Board will be laying the foundation for what the airport may look like 10 years from now: specifically, planning with respect to a new runway versus resurfacing the existing runway, resolving compliance issues of the FAA Grant Assurances, and possible implementation of the “Planned Unit Development”. We’d like to have input from the members and users of the airport. Following this discussion, the Board will sponsor a BBQ/Burger burn from 1130-1300. We will provide soft drinks and water. Scott Dedeker and Jeff Moore are arranging for a “caterer” to provide food for a nominal fee. Please RSVP to Scott or Jeff with how many of your family/party might join us at noon so we can give the caterer an idea for planning. Check the MLA website for additional info and details.
FAA Compliance Issues. There have been no new developments on the national “Through-the-Fence” controversy as it affects Meadow Lake, and we don’t expect there to be any for awhile. New directors for the FAA Denver Airport District Office and the Colorado Division of Aeronautics have been selected, and although a new FAA HQs directive for Airport Compliance has been published, implementation of that directive is still being developed. In the meantime, CDoT has offered to consider a grant to prepare a “Compliance Plan” to address the three challenges that Travis Vallin gave us in November: “Self-sustainability”, “Security & Access Control”, and “Through-the-Fence” coordination.
Based Aircraft Inventory. We continue to update the aircraft population of Meadow Lake and thus help reinforce our significance in the national and state airport systems. 374 aircraft are currently listed in the data base and the “Do Not Report (DNR)” list contains an additional 13 aircraft. We are requesting that all members and users of Meadow Lake airport list and annually confirm any and all aircraft based from their Meadow Lake property. If you have not already provided “N” numbers for your aircraft and/or tenants, please contact any Board member with that information. Please also provide any “joint” use info, i.e.: that the aircraft is also based at another airport at other times.

ASSOCIATION UPDATE
FINANCES
Annual Assessments (Dues): The Board continues to work hard to try and keep expenses to a minimum and get the most “bang for the buck” in maintaining and improving our airport. At the same time we are trying to prepare for the future with a goal to minimize the need for “extra” revenues. We will discuss some of those projections and alternatives at the Special Meeting on September 18th. We are trying to keep all options open for the Airport & Association’s future. Overdue Assessments: Two of our members remain delinquent in their 2009 (or earlier) dues. They have been notified by certified letters that their membership privileges have been suspended, including “through-the-fence” access to use the airport, until their respective account is brought up-to-date and we are considering other legal actions to encourage compliance with their obligations to the Association and the airport. In addition, eight members are delinquent in forwarding their 2010 assessments. If you are one of these, please help us meet our budget projections by remitting your dues promptly. Your Board members are volunteers that want to spend their energies promoting the airport, not chasing down overdue accounts. Remember, your dues must be current to exercise voting privileges in the Association.
Grants. Progress on the AWOS has been slow, but the FAA AIP (Airport Improvement Program) GA Entitlement grant for 2009 was approved and $143,380 is available. Our 2010 AIP GA Entitlement will include a final reimbursement for land acquisition expenses (approximately $85K), with the remaining $65K being held in reserve for AWOS overages and next year’s projects.
The Colorado Discretionary Aviation Grants for 2009 included $163,273 in matching funds for the FAA grants, pavement maintenance and re-striping, and land purchase reimbursement. Our 2010 request has been approved for approximately $115,870 for additional matching funds and paving (Runway 15 run-up area). The final draft of the Strategic Business Plan is at the printer (approx $5,000 remaining on that 2008 grant).
Our Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) submission to CDoT Division of Aeronautics for 2011 included requests for the annual $150,000 FAA AIP Grant to be defined at a later date and to the state for $112,000 for runway maintenance and initial implementation of a Security and Access Control Plan.
ACC
We reported in the February Newsletter on some of the restrictive provisions of the new International Building Code (IBC) adopted by the Regional Building Department (i.e.: 2-hour firewall for any exterior walls within 30 feet of a property line or 30 feet from the center of a common access way adjacent to that property boundary). We have now been advised that they are considering adopting the Int’l Residential Code (IRC) for residential lots. These may have significant “land use” impacts around to the airport and we are attempting to offer a “committee” to work with the El Paso County Development Services Department to address this issue before it is implemented. Anyone interested in working with the ACC on this issue should contact Greg Johnson.
Please note the ACC “Compliance Letter” (attachment 1) as we attempt to solicit voluntary compliance with the intent of “object free areas” and the platted “aviation usage” of properties on the airport.
BYLAWS
* * * SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING * * *
Attachment 3 provides proposed amendments to the Bylaws recommending that:
1) properly completed proxies be considered as “voting interest present” for membership meetings,
2) a percentage of ownership be allotted to individual members of “multiple owner properties” for voting,
3) minimum dues assessment be raised from $75 per year (with 40 votes) to $120 per year (with 75 votes) and that this amount be considered the “Airport Access Fee” for “Through-the-Fence” purposes,
4) properly completed proxies be considered “voting interest present” for voting on Bylaw changes.

A discussion and vote on these proposals will occur at the Special Membership Meeting at 10:00 on Saturday, September 18th, 2010. At the May Annual Meeting, we failed to meet the traditional MLAA requirement to have at least 50% of the membership present to vote on Bylaw changes. Please make every attempt possible to attend this Special Meeting, but if you cannot, please review Attachment 3, contact any Board members if you have questions and complete the enclosed proxy.

AIRPORT UPDATE

NOTE: There have been several instances lately of runway and taxiway lights being damaged by unknown causes. Please contact Ron Lee (or any Board member) if you aware of a light being damaged, so that we can replace it as quickly as possible. And of course, we would like to have the party responsible reimburse the replacement cost, which is minimal, but not fair for the general membership to have to cover.

Land Acquisition ... MLAA Project #XX-01 [with multiple FAA AIP and CDOT grants]
• coordinator: Dave Elliott, consultant: Airport Development Group.
• To purchase available land surrounding the runway complex to provide a “buffer” with encroaching development. Total MLAA owned property now exceeds 753 acres. A final reimbursement from the FAA should be received this year and a payback plan for interest on the SIB loan has been developed to complete payments by 2012.

Strategic Business Plan … MLAA Project #08-03 [CDAG Grant 08-00V-02a]
• coordinator: Dave Elliott, consultant/contractor: Airport Development Group
• The final draft (with MLAA and CDoT comments) is at the printers. Project 98% complete.
• Total cost (as contracted) $125,000 (80% CDoT: $100,000 … 20% MLAA: $25,000)

AWOS … MLAA Project #08-06 [FAA AIP-17 / CDAG 09-00V-01c match]
• coordinator: Mark Shook, consultant: Airport Development Group, sub-contractor: Vaisala.
• AWOS has been installed and is operating (118.45) in a “test” mode pending certification ... phone and internet connections are being resolved.
• Estimated cost $150,000 (95% FAA AIP: $142,500 … 2.5% CDoT: $3,750 … 2.5% MLAA: $3,750)

Runway Restripe … MLAA Project #08-07 [CDAG 09-00V-01b]
• coordinator: Ron Lee, consultant: Airport Development Group, contractor: Kolbe Striping, Inc.
• Project to restripe the runway and taxiway after crack filling … completed mid-July
• Final cost $10,668 (80% CDoT: $8,534 … 20% MLAA: $2,133)
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Thru-the-Fence Agreement … MLAA Project #09-02
• coordinator: Dave Elliott
• A “Thru-the-Fence” Agreement has been drafted for our membership that we believe will serve to solidify your access to and use of your airport, and satisfy the FAA concerns that MLAA maintain control as an operating authority over access and operations of the airport … submission to the FAA is pending guidance from Washington.

Taxiway Alpha Signage … MLAA Project #09-09
• coordinator: Ron Lee
• To install signs along “Alpha” for the access taxiways (“C”, “D”, E”, “F”) … signs were purchased by Jamie Johnston (along with the “business signs”) and await installation … installation pending
• No cost to MLAA … Thank you Johnston’s & EW Systems!!
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Pavement Expansion … MLAA Project #10-02 [CDAG 10-00V-01b]
• coordinator: Ron Lee, contractor: James Dawley Asphalt
• Project to expand the run-up area of Rwy 15 … completed end of July.
• Final cost $4,973 (80% CDoT: $3,978 … 20% MLAA: $995)

MLA Compliance Plan … MLAA Project #10-03 [CDAG 10-00V-01b]
• coordinator: Dave Elliott, consultant/contractor: _(TBD)_.
• CDoT has offered to consider a grant to have a Compliance Plan developed for MLA. A “Scope of Work” is being developed
• Project costs and grant approval pending.

Broom Replacement on Runway Sweeper … MLAA Project #10-04
• coordinator: Richard Martin, supplier: M & B equipment, technician: Paul Sprenger
• The broom on the 18 foot runway sweeper has been wearing down thru many years of use and a replacement is been procured. Paul Sprenger has been maintaining our equipment for the past 7 years and will install the new broom.
• Budgeted cost to MLAA $10,000

Crosswind Runway Surface Treatment … MLAA Project #10-05 [CDAG 10-00V-01b]
• coordinator: Ron Lee, contractor: Seal Coat Solutions
• To provide surface treatment to extend life of the crosswind asphalt ... completed late June.
• Final cost $3,680 (80% CDoT: $2,944 … 20% MLAA: $736)

Cessna Drive Maintenance … MLAA Project #10-06
• coordinator: Ron Lee, contractor: James Dawley Asphalt
• To remove and replace deteriorating sections of Cessna Drive … completed early August.
• Final cost to MLAA $6,084

Turf Operation Area … MLAA Project #10-08
• coordinator: John Scott
• Due to the HFSC relocation and the increase in winch operations, HFSC has identified and mowed a new “turf landing strip”, approximately where a west-side taxiway for the “new” runway would be. An FAA 7480 has been submitted for official recognition of this area.
• No costs anticipated.

Crosswind Runway Fencing … MLAA Project #10-09
• coordinator: Mark Shook, contractor: Fair Dinkim Fencing
• With recent reports of vehicle vs aircraft conflicts on the crosswind, the Board approved fencing the south side of the crosswind to protect its use for aircraft. Alternate access to parasail operators is being provided at the end of Aerostar Drive ... initial fencing completed, Aerostar fence and gate pend.
• Estimated cost to MLAA $3,000

Airfield Toxic Weed Control … MLAA Project #10-10
• coordinator: Ron Lee, contractor: __(TBD__
• A significant spread of thistle and noxious weeds have been noted around MLAA property. The Board approved that Ron hire a weed control professional to spray as soon as appropriate.
• Budgeted cost to MLAA $2,000

EAA CHAPTER 72

After having to cancel Young Eagle Rallies earlier in the summer due to weather, EAA Chapter 72 made up for it on Saturday, August 21st, when 47 youngsters received a FREE airplane ride with chapter pilots. More rallies remain for 2010. Chapter meetings have moved from the third Tuesday of each month to the following Saturday during the day. If Tuesday evenings were bad for your schedule, try this new day and enjoy a good program and cookout. More information is available on the website: http://eaa72.org or contact Sandy Martin.

AVIATION EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF COLORADO (AEFCO)

In June, AEFCO held its annual Summer Academy where 25 young people were introduced to ground school, flight training, and careers in aviation. Classes for the year round program designed to prepare students to pass the knowledge test will be starting up September 18th. Eleven students have passed the test and are moving on to their flight training. AEFCO Matching Scholarships are currently assisting 4 young people with flight training. Three students have received their private certificate.

This work is all done with donations. AEFCO encourages everyone to “visit our website: http://aefco.org and come see what we do.” Contact Richard Martin at (719) 683-6587 or email wemartin@sprintmail.com.

MEADOW LAKE COMMUNICATIONS
How to Get Information: Airport Website: MeadowLakeAirport.com
 Check the website … it is updated several times a week. While the association plans only 3-4 mailed newsletters per year, we publish board meeting reports, voting results, events, and news and information on the airports website at: www.MeadowLakeAirport.com (shortcut = kFLY.co)
 If you are a member of the MLAA, or a based pilot, it is vital that you send us your e-mail contact info. We send out information on Airport taxiway and runway closures and TFRs notices by e-mail.
 Sign up for important news alerts at: info@meadowlakeairport.com
MLAA Scheduled Board Meetings: Second Tuesday of every month at 3:00 pm
13560 Piper Lane, Meadow Lake Airport. (MLAA Hangar) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. All members welcome
Officers and Directors:
President Dave Elliott interagency coordination falcon20flier@msn.com (719) 339-0928 (cell)
Vice President Mark Shook public info, ACC chair mark@meadowlakeairport.com (719) 641-0460 (cell)
Secretary Greg Johnson minutes, bylaws, ACC mbr jglj@comcast.net (719) 331-9511 (cell)
Treasurer Jeff Moore financial management jtq.moore@gmail.com (719) 494-9110 (cell)
Director Ron Lee airfield, roads & grounds maint. ronlee@pcisys.net (719) 683-3701 (home)
Director Richard Martin building & vehicle maintenance wemartin@sprintmail.com (719) 683-6587 (home)
Director Scott Dedeker safety & security sdedeker@coflying.com (719) 201-0723 (cell)
Liaison Sandy Martin EAA Chapter 72 liaison ssmartin@fedex.com (719) 351-1640 (cell)
Liaison John Scott High Flights Soaring liaison jdscott@valleypine.net (719) 494-3195 (home)