Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 04021996 - C11 S- w •T - � J ` TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FROM: J. MICHAEL WALFORD, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR DATE: April 2, 1996 SUBJECT: Buchanan Field Airport Air Fair on June 16, 1996 SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION I. Recommended Action: APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Buchanan Field Airport Air Fair, to be held on Father's Day, June 16, 1996, from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. II. Financial Impact: All costs associated with this event are expected to be offset by corporate sponsors and entrance fees. Any balance will be absorbed or contributed to the Airport Enterprise Fund as appropriate. III. Reasons for Recommendations and Background: The Air Fair is an enhancement of the annual Open House program enjoyed by attendees over the last several years, and is to celebrate 50 years of aviation service in the County. The Air Fair includes limited aerial demonstrations. On August 4, 1946, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors held public ceremonies to formally dedicate Buchanan Field Airport. Chairman William J. Buchanan had a vision for the airport named in his honor: "Buchanan Field was conceived with the knowledge that aviation is in for immense future development. We feel that its possibilities are unlimited... We visualize a steady development of Buchanan Field. We are giving thought to improvements for the accommodation of patrons of the field and we feel certain when these plans are completed the people of Contra Costa will find themselves in possession of an investment that will return on dividends and an industry that will contribute much to the growth of this area... We were of the opinion also that the site which we selected for this industry would lend itself to the needs of the entire Bay area, and that it would grow with the years and become a valuable asset to this County." Continued on Attachment:X SIGNATURE: G. _RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRAT0 _RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE APPROVE OTHER SIGNATURE(S): ACTION OF BOARD ON Anr-i_ '1 2� 1996 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X OTHER VOTE OF SUPERVISORS XUNANIMOUS(ABSENT ) AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: HEW:TW:kd cAEW:T 1 hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of supervisors on the date shown. Orig Div:Airports(Contact-H. Wight 646-5722) ATTESTED: Al2r�.aF ri 1 2, 1996 PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board cc: County Administrator of Supervisors and County Administrator Public Works Director Public Works Accounting By IA ie..- A 4 dQ Deputy Auditor/Controller Aviation Advisory Committee Federal Aviation Administration i eo\ Buchanan Field Airport Air Fair on June 16, 1996 April 2, 1996 Page Two This vision has become a reality that deserves to be celebrated. An Anniversary Committee has been formed to organize this celebration, and has been diligently working on programs and other events throughout the 1996 commemorative year. A number of very special performers are scheduled to perform during the limited aerial demonstration. These include world renowned aerobats Cecilia Aragon, John Collver, and John Piggott. Other exciting performances include a skydiving demonstration by Jani Bango of Bay Area Skydiving, a jet dragster driven by Dr. Richard Brophy, and a helicopter demonstra- tion by Gordy Cox. Cecilia Aragon is one of the most skilled aerobatic pilots flying today. A two-time member of the U.S. Aerobatic Team, she was a medalist at the 1993 U.S. National Championships, ranked fourth overall in the nation, fourth in the world in the women's division, and is the current California State Champion. She has over 4,000 cockpit hours in her logbook, flies in regional, national, and international competitions, performs in air shows, and is an instructor. John Collver's Warbird Air Shows will bring his"Salute to the Veterans of the US Armed Forces" program to the Air Fair at Buchanan Field, flying the world famous North American AT-6 "Texan". He provides a Warbird air demonstration that gives a first hand look at what our U.S. Fighter pilots were taught to win WWII. He has over 12,000 hours in over 50 different aircraft and as well as performing on television's "Airwolf'. John Piggott, a popular west coast air show performer, thrilled the audience in excess of 5,000 people at the 1995 Open House at Buchanan Field. He flies a Sukhoi SU-29 Russian built aircraft, deemed the most highly engineered aerobatic aircraft in the world. John Piggot's performance is a very powerful and imaginative aerobatic routine. He has over 15 years of high performance air show flying and is a former race-car driver. Bay Area Skydiving is a growing business at our Byron Airport. Jani Bango owns and operates Bay Area Skydiving which is the premier skydiving business in Northern California. Jani's staff, (including his wife), has provided both our airports with our Santa Claus Skydives for the past three years. Dr. Richard Brophy, of Brophy Racing Enterprises, operates the jet dragster, "Final Countdown". It is the quickest and fastest J-34 powered dragster in the world, posting speeds in excess of 290 miles per hour. This unique racing phenomenon was a crowd pleaser at the 1994 and the 1995 Airport Open House, and is a popular addition to any drag race, air show, or auto show. Brophy is a chiropractic physician, with several offices in the greater Bay Area. Gordy Cox of Helicopter Adventures, Inc., (HAI) at Buchanan Field Airport will display the unique characteristics of rotary wing flight. Gordy has been involved in aviation for 15 of his 32 years. Gordy is HAI's Chief Instructor, is a FAA appointed Accident Prevention Counselor, and also flies for KRON Channel 4 TV News. Gordy will be flying a Schweizer 300CB. The display will show the versatility of the helicopter flying forwards, backwards, sideways, up, down, and even spinning on the spot and down a line. The Aviation Advisory Committee (AAC) supports the Anniversary Committee's efforts to organize an aerial demonstration during the Air Fair over the uncongested area of Buchanan Field Airport. The AAC views this as an opportunity to display local talent and spread good public relations earned through the Airport's continuing effort to promote our good neighbor policy. The proposed demonstrations will be in the public interest and conducted in strict accordance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards. During the aerial demonstrations,the airport will be closed to other traffic. Other activities of the Air Fair will include air traffic control tower tours, remote control aircraft flights, and aircraft rides for hire. Various military, antique, experimental, and emergency airplanes and helicopters will be on static display. Food, beverage, and other concessions will be available. IV. Consequences of Negative Action: The Air Fair will be canceled.