2006 AirTAP Fall ForumModerator: Harold VanLeeuwen

Melissa GalvanWillmar Municipal Airport

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Willmar Municipal Airport

• New airfield (K-BDH) opened 9/5/06

• Approx. 50 based aircraft with 1 business

• Approx. 30,000 annual operations

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Governing Structure

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

City Council

Department Heads and City Administrator

Airport Manager (Airport Commission)

Basic Local StructureBasic Local Structure

Operating Budget

• How does one budget for 2 airports including 1 which didn’t exist?

• What about the cost to demolish abandoned airfield?

• Flexibility, Flexibility, Flexibility…

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Challenges & Successes

• Learning Curve • Own Expectations• Interaction with

various groups• Un-chartered territory• Balance between 2

airports

• Networking• Tools within the

industry • Education/Training • Level of Trust from

local pilots• Successful opening of

new airport

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Al PelzerFairmont Airport

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Fairmont Airport Background

• Part 139 airport

• FBO also Manager

• Manager does grass, snow, lights

• CFI & Chief pilot

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Governing Structures

• 5 member airport board

• Board advises city council

• Manager hired by city council

• Manager reports to City Administrator

• 5 year contract

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Operating Budget

• Total budget $ 150,000

• State aid $55.000

• Land rent $ 40,000

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Challenges & Successes

• Cost of utilities & insurance up

• More student starts

• 12 based aircraft 9 years ago compared to 27 based aircraft today

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Shaun GermolusAirportAdmin

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Airport Background• Manager

Worthington Municipal AirportWorthington, MN

• Operations SuperintendentRoanoke Regional Airport CommissionRoanoke, VA

• Director of OperationsDuluth Airport AuthorityDuluth, MN

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Training & Education

• Administrative– Airport License/Certification, Funding, Zoning,

Leases, Minimum Standards, Etc.

• Operations & Maintenance– Airfield, Facilities, Equipment, Wildlife, Etc.

• Security & Emergency Preparedness– Manuals, Equipment, Exercises

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Documentation

• Airport Inspections

• Preventative & Routine Maintenance

• Cost Analysis

• Liability

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum

Networking

• Other Airport Personnel

• Agencies– FAA, MN/DOT – AAAE, AirTAP, MCOA– Aviation Consultants

• Product Distributors

2006 AirTAP Fall Forum