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Stead airport master plan advances outreach; airport forecasts show modest GA growth, authority says
Summary
Reno‑Tahoe Airport Authority staff updated the board on the Stead master plan, outlining FAA‑guided tasks, an aviation forecast (growth from ~55,000 to ~72,000 operations projected), education partnerships and public outreach; the authority said possible contract‑tower funding and cargo operations would require separate cost/benefit and FAA reviews.
Reno‑Tahoe Airport Authority staff returned to the North Valleys advisory board on June 18 to brief residents on the Stead (general aviation) airport master plan, telling the audience the process is FAA‑guided, about eight months into a 24‑month effort.
Jed Hammer, an airport planner, summarized the inventory and forecasts: the airport encompasses roughly 5,100 acres with two paved runways, about 218 based aircraft (staff cited 218–220) and an annual operations baseline of roughly 50,000–55,000 movements that staff expect could rise to about 72,000 under the forecast. Hammer said the master plan includes FAA review of the aviation forecast and the Airport Layout Plan (ALP).
The authority identified several near‑term and potential items: improving pavement and apron areas, exploring a federal contract tower (a part‑time, FAA‑trained controller arrangement) to improve safety for mixed operations including firefighting aircraft and drones, and advancing a stakeholder outreach program including a project microsite (rtsmasterpl.com).
Hammer and other airport staff addressed community concerns about commercial cargo and increased commercial operations. “Stead is a general aviation reliever airport; it does not have commercial service,” Hammer said, but he acknowledged the master plan will analyze the conditions, costs and environmental questions should heavier cargo operations be considered. He said strengthened runways, snow removal and other operational upgrades would be required for larger cargo aircraft and that a benefit‑cost analysis would be necessary.
Local residents asked whether an aviation education partnership (mentioned as a possible TMCC–Gilmont Foundation collaboration) would involve job or training opportunities; airport staff said such a partnership could support aviation and aerospace education if it proceeds.
Next steps: the airport authority is continuing FAA coordination, tenant interviews and public outreach (office hours and upcoming open houses). Staff invited residents to the master‑plan open house and to submit comments via the project microsite.
