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Airport advisory committee praises hangar development, IFR approach and youth aviation programs
Summary
The McCall Airport Advisory Committee reported progress on small-hangar (infield) development, the airport's unique IFR approach, a fee-recovery transmitter program and youth aviation scholarships during its annual presentation to the council.
Mike Weiss, chair of the Airport Advisory Committee, delivered the airport's annual report and highlighted recent development at McCall Airport, training programs and community outreach.
Weiss told council that infield hangar development is moving forward: one new hangar has been completed and engineering contracts are in place for about 17 smaller hangars and several larger hangars the committee expects to be built. He said the hangar program will produce leasehold revenue and broader business benefits for the community.
Weiss also described operational items the committee has addressed. He said the airport is the only field in Valley County and several neighboring counties with an instrument flight rules (IFR) approach, a capability that supports larger and lifeline flights during poor weather. He warned that changes in nearby tree cover or other airspace infringements could threaten the FAA-certified approach and that the committee recently opposed proposals that might have impaired the approach.
The committee has contracted a vendor (identified in comments as Vector) that uses airplane identifying beacons to bill transient operators for landing fees; the effort has generated new revenue, Weiss said, in the order of about $20,000 so far. He also credited airport staff and local providers for emergency procedure updates and rusted out anecdotal examples where procedures prevented a more serious incident.
Weiss described community programs including an annual June open house featuring a simulated "beaver drop" that attracts families, and the McCall Mile High Flying Club's McCall Youth Learning Aviation Fund, a 501(c)(3) that provides flight-training scholarships and reimbursements for pilot written-test fees to help local youth enter aviation careers. "Our first student several years ago is now learning how to fly F-35s in the Air Force," Weiss said.
Council members and staff offered brief clarifying questions; no council action was required. Weiss invited council and residents to schedule airport tours and noted the committee appreciates the city's support for projects and operations.
