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United States Pilots Association |
If you are a MEMBER of a BOARD MEMBER of USPA and are not planning to attend the members’ meeting and/or the board meeting on May 8 in Branson, MO, please send a proxy for the meeting/meetings with someone or send it to me. Email is fine.
We will be having two meetings on May 8—a membership meeting and a board meeting. A quorum is required to conduct business for each meeting. We hope you are planning to attend one or both meetings. However, if you cannot, please do us the courtesy of sending a proxy. A sample form is attached.
Thank you very much!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA
In Missouri, Investors Seek a Profit in Branson Airport
By CHRISTINE NEGRONI
Published: April 20, 2009
Branson, Mo., is remote and has a tiny year-round population. But it also has the kinds of outdoor activities and family-friendly theater productions that attracted eight and a half million visitors last year, earning the city the unofficial nickname “Vegas without the gambling.”
Mark Schiefelbein for The New York Times
Jeff Bourk, executive director of Branson Airport, outside the terminal building. The airport is set to open in May near Branson, Mo.
The Branson Airport will have ticket booths for downtown performances.
And it is because of all those visitors that investors have placed a bet on Branson, spending $155 million to build the only privately financed commercial airport in America. Steve Peet, the chief executive of the airport, is a Connecticut businessman who concedes that he could not find Branson on a map nine years ago. By 2004, he was persuaded that there was money to be made flying tourists there.
“If you were ever going to think about building a private commercial airport, this would be the place to do it,” he said recently, as planes began test flights on the recently completed Branson Airport airfield. “It seemed like an incredible opportunity.”
Every one of the 552 airports providing commercial air service in the United States receives some kind of federal money, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, and these airports are owned by public entities, municipalities, transportation districts or airport authorities. The closest airport to Branson was 44 miles away in Springfield, Mo. Mr. Peet’s idea was to build a new commercial airport eight miles south of Branson’s theater district, with private financing.
Randall Fiertz, director of airport compliance and field operations at the F.A.A., said the agency had no problem with a privately financed airport. “We encourage airport development by whoever is financing it,” he said. “If the private sector wants to do that, it leaves more money available for other airports.”
In 1996, Congress passed legislation allowing a limited number of public airports to solicit private investors. Only two airports have tried going private, and both have encountered problems.
Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, N.Y., was purchased by the National Express Group of Great Britain in 2000. The British company, unable to make a profit, sold the airport to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in 2007. In Chicago, a consortium of investors agreed to purchase Midway Airport for $2.5 billion, but the credit crisis threatens the completion of the deal. The city of Chicago earlier this month granted the purchasers an extension on the due date for their next payment.
For Branson Airport, however, all has gone smoothly. The owners bought 925 acres in the Ozarks and constructed a runway, control tower and 58,000-square-foot terminal building in less than two years. Commercial passenger flights are scheduled to begin May 11.
“I think it’s some kind of record,” Jeff Bourk, executive director of the airport, said of the speed of the construction. “On other projects I’ve been involved in, there’s a lot more red tape.”
Because Branson eschewed federal assistance, it was free of the restrictions that accompany government aid. That allowed the owners to offer exclusive contracts to AirTran and Sun Country airlines on certain routes to Branson.
“We don’t want suicide fares, two or three airlines bashing each other over the head until someone says ‘uncle’ and leaves,” said Mr. Peet, explaining why the airport agreed to protect the airlines from competition. “We want to build real service, sustainable service.”
Restricting competition could result in higher prices, said Richard L. de Neufville, an engineering systems professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who specializes in airports. He has seen it happen before. “At first, local people are glad there is something where there was nothing,” Mr. de Neufville said. “As people get used to it there will be a concern about a monopoly jacking up the prices.”
Mr. Peet insists the airport has nothing to gain by that. “If we don’t provide a good product at a reasonable price, we’ll cut our nose.”
As a money-making venture for Mr. Peet and his fellow investors, the airport has a limited life span. In a deal to finance the airport with tax-free bonds, his Branson Airport L.L.C. gave the airport and the 420 acres on which it sits to Taney County, retaining the right to operate the airport for 45 years.
“Saving us money on the cost of debt service was more valuable than owning the airport,” Mr. Peet said.
With the clock set to start ticking next month, every possible way is being considered for maximizing the profit-making potential of the airport. Airlines are being wooed with a range of services so complete that the carriers need not hire a single employee. Security at checkpoints, of course, is provided by the Transportation Security Administration.
“We’re trying to make it as easy as possible for the airlines, with no station set-up costs, no installation of computers,” Mr. Bourk said. “You come up to the counter and it’s a Branson airport employee who will process your ticket and get you onto the flight.”
The airport also negotiated an $8.40-a-head fee from the city of Branson for every tourist arriving by air, a revenue stream that could bring in as much as $2 million a year. Ticket booths for downtown performances will be found in passenger arrival areas, and even the right to name the airport is up for sale.
Mr. de Neufville, who studies the issues involved in privatization of public properties, said airports as private for-profit enterprises that continue to receive federal money face unique challenges. “Governments do not permit their privatized major commercial airports to engage in practices that are routine in most other industries,” he noted in a study he conducted several years after the privatization trial program began in the United States. For example, they cannot set their own prices or restrict access to their products.
That is why Branson Airport is so intriguing. It is in the singularly liberating position of being able to ignore some of the business restrictions that every other commercial airport must follow.
“The airport industry doesn’t know what to make of Branson Airport,” said Steve Steckler, a transportation development consultant in Maryland. In this time of transition, it is the airport itself that put Branson, Mo., on the maps of aviation insiders. As Mr. Steckler put it, “It’s show time.”
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA
Register now for the safety seminar at PLK.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA
A new event has been scheduled that meets your notification criteria on FAASafety.gov. Following is a brief overview of the event:
"Branson, MO Pilot Safety Seminar"
Topic: Air Traffic Procedures, Special Use Airspace, and Runway Safety.
On Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Location:
M. Graham Clark Airport
M. Graham Clark Airport
Terminal Building
Branson, MO 65615
Select Number:
CE0525071
Description:
This is an open event featuring Springfield, MO Air Traffic Control and the FAA Central Region Office of Runway Safety. Presented in conjunction with the opening of the new Branson Airport (BBG), Branson, MO. Topics will include safety issues concerning operating on airports, in and around special use airspace, and air traffic procedures for the Springfield/Branson, MO area.
To view further details and registration information for this event, click here.
The sponsor for this event is: FAA Safety Team
The following credit(s) are available for the WINGS/AMT Programs:
KEB 1.00
A part of the Branson Airport air show includes a special Friday night airshow (which is not included in your MPA/USPA registration).
If you are interested in tickets for the Friday night airshow, go to www.bransonairshow.com and click on the Friday Night Airshow link. The line up is as follows:
Night Air Show
A unique opportunity to see exciting aerobatic performances as night falls,
followed by a fireworks display. Limited tickets - first come, first served.
Gates Open: 5:00 p.m.
Show Begins: 6:00 p.m.
Show Acts:
- Aeroshell Aerobatic Team
- Steve Oliver
- Manfred Radius
- Gene Soucy
- Matt Younkin
- Pyrotechnical Display
- Fireworks
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA
This information was sent to NMPA members by NMPA President Bob Worthington. It’s important information to share with all USPA members:
This applies to anyone who uses the Jeppesen GPS data card internet downloading services to update your removable GPS datacard. Or if you are considering buying a GPS which uses the Jeppesen datacard update service.
On Saturday I purchased a HP notebook computer to replace my 6 year old HP which is pretty worn out. So I was looking for speed of usage and purchased a new HP dv5-1251nr. It has an Intell Core 2 Duo processor T6400 with the Windows Vista Home Premium (64 bit) operating system. Now I am not a computer expert so I used the knowledge of one of my daughters who is.
Anyone who has bought a new computer to replace an older or worn out one understands the agony of transferring everything from the old computer to the new. I bought PCmover which does that automatically. But here is the hitch. Many programs designed to function on the 32 bit operating system will not work on the 64 bit system. And this includes my Jeppesen Skybound software and hardware to keep my Garmin GPS current.
After several hours of trying to make it work we called Jeppesen and here is what we found out. When the new 64 bit processor was marketed to the public last year, many (most? all?) companies which produce computer accessories were caught off guard. Jeppesen was one. They learned that what they had on hand would not work with the new 64 bit system. They are working very hard to come up with a new system but it probably will not be available until Sept 2009. So what is Jeppesen's solution for right now? Don't get rid of your 32 bit system or if you don't have one use a friends or get your avionics shop to download the new datacard info for you.
When I asked about having the upgraded data cards mailed to the GPS owners (like they used to do originally), Jeppesen said it was way too expensive (although Jeppesen said that they may consider a discount for some users that have no access to a 32 bit computer).
I have also learned that some of my other programs (such as my 8 month old anti-virus security program) simply will not work on a 64 bit system and there is no upgrade available. Others may be upgraded if you purchase new software to make the old software compatible with the 64 bit system (such as my 9 year old but perfectly functioning scanner, which I balked at replacing at a cost of about $150 and up and thus spent $40 to get the upgrade software).
If you go to the Jeppesen web site (and look hard) you can find some info on this. Go to www.jeppesen.com/aviation/personal/JSUM-Download/jsp. For what it is worth I now have my Garmin Skybound program on my wife's 32 bit computer and also I'm keeping my old notebook with the Skybound software and hardware.
Good luck!
Bob Worthington, President
NMPA
Congratulations to the state legislator in Missouri who sponsored Bill #535 mentioned in Larry Harmon's legislative report of last week. Let’s all get behind this do nothing piece of legislation so that ultimately some poor soul (transient pilot) gets arrested for a class D felony for trying to get to his airplane after the airport is closed for the day.
While on this subject, has anyone taken notice of the fact that TSA has gone into Colorado and installed their new GA security program at some 14 airports including Front Range? Just who do we think is going to pay for all this? Not the government. It will be the airport operating authority, which simply means the price of everything will go up to cover these costs. Wake up everybody and smell the roses. Leave your badge at home and get arrested for attempting to go to your plane. What do they say in aviation? If it ain't broke, stop trying to fix it.
I am reminded of a football game where the ball carrier is tackled and the entire opposing team piles on. This technique being used by the government is called taxation without recourse. Please, somebody explain to me what all this additional security is accomplishing besides increasing the size of TSA and forcing more and more businesses from our GA airports.
Steve Uslan, President
USPA
REMINDER: The cutoff date for group rate reservations in our block rooms at the Lodge of the Ozarks is April 23. If you haven’t already made your room reservation, do it now. Rooms cannot be assured after April 23. And Branson will be very busy due to the air show that weekend.
Lodge of the Ozarks, 417 334-7535.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA
This is notice that the USPA Individual Members will have their annual meeting at the Lodge of the Ozarks in Branson, MO, at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, May 8, 2009. Following are proposed bylaws changes that will be presented for approval by the association membership at that time.
In addition, members will be electing officers. Nominating Committee Chairman, Paul Hough, has proposed the following officers:
President Steve Uslan
PR VP Bob Worthington
Safety and Education VP Bruce Hulley
Treasurer JC Zalog
Secretary Duane Smith
If you cannot make the membership meeting or the board meeting which will follow the members’ meeting, please send a proxy in order that we may conduct business. A sample proxy form is attached.
Thank you!
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA
UNITED STATES PILOTS ASSOCIATION
PROPOSED BYLAWS CHANGES
May 8, 2009
Due to the increased difficulty of attending meetings which has resulted in lower meeting attendance and, therefore, reduced income to USPA, the following bylaws changes were proposed at the board meeting in Tyler, TX, April 3, 2009, for action at the upcoming annual membership meeting in Branson, MO, May 8, 2009:
Article IV. Meetings of the Association
1. 5. Twenty per cent (20%) of the Individual Members in good standing represented in person or by written proxy shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Association. In the absence of a quorum, the presiding Officer may adjourn any meeting to a date to be fixed before adjournment. Meetings, notices of meetings, and proxies may be conducted electronically if desired.
(This change reduces the quorum from 30 Individual Members to 20%.)
Article V. The Board of Directors
The policy and management of the Association and its property are confided to its Board of Directors which shall meet the following qualifications and shall have the following powers:
2. The Board of Directors shall consist of the following persons who shall have been elected by a majority vote at the Annual Meeting:
a. The President
b. The PR Vice President
c. The Safety Education Vice President
d. The Treasurer
e. The Secretary
In addition, the following persons shall serve as members of the Board of Directors during their terms of office:
a. Five accredited Directors from each State Organization.
b. One accredited Director from each Local Chapter.
3. The Board of Directors shall meet a minimum of one (1) time a year at such time and place as the President may designate or upon written request of a majority of its members, which request shall state the time for such meeting and such meeting shall be held at the most convenient place. Meetings, notices of meetings, and proxies may be conducted electronically if desired.
(The rest of the paragraph remains unchanged. This change provides for the reduction in the number of officers.)
Article VI. The Executive Committee
(This Article shall be eliminated.)
Article VII. Officers
1. The Officers of the Association shall be a President, a PR Vice President, a Safety Education Vice President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.
5. (Since the office of Regional Director will no longer exist, this item will be removed.)
(The rest of the paragraph remains unchanged. This reduces the number of Officers from 15 to five.)
Article IX. Duties and Powers of Officers
And Duties and Functions of the Employees
Vice Presidents
In the event of the death, resignation or disability of the President, the Vice Presidents shall perform all of the duties and exercise all of the powers of the President until such time as a successor is elected to the office of President. The order in which each said Vice President succeeds to the performance of these duties shall be as follows: Vice President PR and Vice President Safety and Education. In the absence of the Vice Presidents, the Treasurer, and in the latter’s absence the Secretary, shall preside at meetings.
Regional Vice Presidents\
(This paragraph shall be eliminated.)
Treasurer
(References to the Executive Committee shall be eliminated.)
Secretary
(References to the Executive Committee shall be eliminated.)
Article XI. Membership
2.C.
(Reference to the Executive Committee shall be eliminated.)
3.C.
(Reference to the Executive Committee shall be eliminated.)
Article XIII. Committees
(Reference to the Executive Committee shall be eliminated.)
The minutes of the USPA board meeting held in Tyler, TX, April 3, have been posted to the website at www.uspilots.org for your information.
If you cannot access the Members Only section, please let me know.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
USPA
Ron Keller, NMPA meetings chair, US Pilots Association member, and FAASTeam Representative, was honored on 26 March by being selected as the Albuquerque Flight Standards District Office FAASTeam Representative of the year. A handsome, engraved wall plaque was presented to Ron by the Albuquerque District FAASTeam Program Manager, J. D. Huss, at a monthly Albuquerque Airport meeting.
Keller was selected based on his constant support for the FAASTeam pilot safety seminars presented by the NM Pilots Association. Keller sets up the majority of the safety seminars which are presented every other month by NMPA. He also serves as a presenter at most of these seminars.
Keller is a USAF veteran and he and his wife, Mary Ann, have two sons. He is employed by the FAA in the technical area which certifies and services aeronautical navigation equipment. The owner of a classic Cessna 182, Ron is an instrument rated pilot with several hundred flight hours.
NMPA congratulates Ron for being recognized for his tireless hard work organizing the NMPA safety seminars. It is an honor for him to be lauded for his efforts and hard work.
Bob Worthington, President
NMPA