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Home My WebLink AboutMINUTES - 03271990 - 2.2 . • a.a TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE% MARCH 27, 1990 SUBJECT: HELICOPTER TRAINING OPERATIONS AT BUCHANAN FIELD AIRPORT SPFXMC REQUESTS)OR RECOMMBNDAMON(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTtFICA11ON I. Recommended Action: ACCEPT report from the Public Works Director regarding helicopter training operations at Buchanan Field Airport. II. Financiallmgact: None Ill. Reasons for Recommendations and Background: On March 13, 1990, the Board of Supervisors requested that the Public Works Director report back to them on March 27 regarding helicopter training operations at Buchanan Field Airport. The following is in response to that request. There are currently six training helicopters operated by Helicopter Adventures Incorporated. They are used on an almost continual basis between the hours of 8 a.m and 6 p.m. daily. According to Air Traffic Controllers,the helicopter activity accounts for almost twenty-five percent of the airport's local_.operations. There are four designated helicopter training patterns at Buchanan (see attached map). The maximum number of helicopters in a training pattern is two. However, helicopters landing at the airport may enter this pattern during their approach to the airport. For that reason there may occasionally be more than two aircraft in a pattern for a short time. (continued on page 2) Continued on Attachment: X SIGNATURE: _RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR _RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE _APPROVE _OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON MAR 2 7 1990 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED�_OTHER X REQUESTED a follow-up status report in 90 days on progress in efforts to locate an alternative training site. t VOTE OF SUPERVISORS X UNANIMOUS (ABSENT ) AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: 1 hereby certify that this Is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the HEW:dg Board of Supe rylygrrefTY d;ieshhown. heliops.bo ATTESTED: �mAARRf� 1199 PHIL BATCHELOR,Clerk of the Board Orig Div: Airports Of Supervisors and Countv Administrator cc: County Administrator deputy Public Works Director Public Works Accounting Auditor/Controller Aviation Advisory Committee Helicopter Operations March 27, 1990 Page 2 M. Reasons for Recommendations and Background: (continued from page 1) Patterns 1 and 2 are shortened versions of Patterns 1A and 2A. These are the more desirable traffic patterns however, most primary students are not generally proficient enough to fly these patterns due to the pattern's shorter size. The airport established a new traffic pattern on the, east side of the airfield in order to minimize the use of the two patterns around the mobile home park. This pattern was in use for approximately three weeks during which time airport staff monitored the response from the nearby residents. Complaints from new callers escalated in the Concord area due to the new pattern and as a result, the airport directed the air traffic controllers and HAI to eliminate its use. This was the pattern referred to in Mayor Campbell's letter to the Board of Supervisors dated February 23, 1990. The airport also designed a new pattern in which one runway would be shared between aircraft and helicopters. After speaking with tower personnel we were advised the amount of traffic would hinder any such joint use and there was a Federal Aviation Regulation in effect which prohibits this type of activity. The airport is continually striving to find alternative traffic patterns which will minimize operations over residential areas. However, the current patterns will continue until a more efficient pattern is developed. The most feasible alternative available to the county is to relocate these operations to an area off airport property. However, due to the airport's public facility classification, any site identified also must be considered a ,public-use facility and therefore will be subject to the planning and environmental processes. Airport staff investigated several potential sites for relocation of the training helicopter activity. Below is a summary of the sites evaluated. Tosco Refinery - Mike Walford and Hal Wight met with officials of Tosco and identified several potential sites. Our consultants began the process of evaluating each but were advised by FAA that these sites were unacceptable due to conflicts with airport approach corridors. Praxis Development - The airport investigated a site north of Waterfront road owned by a private company, Praxis Development. The county initiated talks with company officials. Patrick Corr of HAI is continuing negotiations with this company as a private business enterprise in hopes of speeding up the process. This site seems to be very promising. Walnut Creek Channel - Staff investigated the possibility of using the county-owned right-of-ways along the Walnut Creek channel levees as possible sites. These sites are near the Delta and we are finding that there appear to be environmental objections. Buffalo hill - Airport staff located a privately-owned area north of the Vine Hill subdivision. HAI reviewed the site but found it incompatible with their type of operations due to the terrain and nearby residential use. Acme Landfill - The airport met with Acme Landfill Corporation to discuss joint-use of their facilities for the purpose of a satellite helipad. The actual site looks promising and the airport is initiating contact with the operators to explore this matter further. We have asked Supervisor Fanden's office to assist us. Y,mwu i I \ curvciux 1 Alnllard Rcreruoir � i. Boa C may, F �K 0 1 GO. / wES o L-A %KE \ / .1 (Y MEMOS GAgOENS [- �EE�` ' � ♦ �� '.CEMETERY ' �. �� •�°FO��Cc9�'�. . W.efxrtP Pr. Pw'" M ec M.P � ♦� ' C' .� aq o�a..� '" l' �a � °•ru x°' 'us+��'ttrta �J#gra qfi ° +w, po C/Q ¢ E. F \ 4 O Y PP e� `amu• R°. *Qn il � ' J�3 r � �y-�i• .E`er' 4E" CP',� �,c/6 a�, �: E rq�� ap�ry.� Jfit c(g qqq�•>'� ,�' �. fi. OUyF.� p �• s }C O 6•��6 PAMW�r rEYr ..� S� m O b � v°°''� $ � �"� o=.� ��,•� 'Y21t� o�� e�d�' I ��♦ 0 O\ �/4.°v € 4. 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