FAA delays instrument landing system operation

“Unfortunately, the documentation protocol has changed in the FAA camp and for reasons unknown to us, in short, (the FAA) want us to restart the whole paperwork procedure,” said Einarson.

The delay, he added, is a problem with fitting the current documentation into new FAA legal framework structure, and has nothing to do with the actual status and readiness of the ILS system.

This new system, Einarson added, took two years to install and would serve as the approach guidance system for 85 percent of incoming flights. The instrumentation checks are complete and he said the delay creates a “safety enhancement issue” to the airport.

“There is no reason to be afraid to fly, but this should be a priority (of the FAA),” he added.

Board discussion focused on what members considered frustrating results from navigating a myriad of FAA channels. The board agreed to contact the FAA again with a strong message that if efforts do not progress that it would seek intervention through outside channels.

Bob Anderson, chairman of the commission, said Friday that he would be in Minneapolis Monday with other Local Airline Service Action Committee leaders, to meet with U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar and representatives of the newly merged Delta and North West Airlines.

Anderson said the meeting would be an opportunity to present concerns with continuing regional air service, cost of flights and changes to Ben Hirst, senior vice president, Tammy Lee Stanoch, vice president of Corporate Affairs in Minneapolis, and Mary Loeffelholz, Regional director for Public Affairs.

The board heard from Michael Ferry, a regional airport engineer with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, who said the funding picture for Local Airline Service Action Committees is brighter, and could soon reimburse projects that were canceled by the transfer to the state general fund last session.

Ferry said airports are asked to resubmit project lists by early December and that MnDOT is proposing a priority list to ensure that urgent projects are funded first.

Susan Baratono, commission secretary, said that Minnesota Power notified them that electric rates for the airport would increase more than $1,300 per month.

She said the airport pays estimated monthly rates of approximately $1,974, and that this was an underpayment of actual use. The rates will change to around $3,300 per month as “catch up” to actual usage.

Benita Crow, an aviation project manager with Short Elliott Hendrickson, reported that the airport parking lot project completion was delayed with the replacement of incorrect lighting on poles and is currently being corrected. She also noted that the FAA would not reimburse the cost of towing vehicles away from construction areas last fall.

Crow updated the commission on the postponed taxi lane extension due to wetlands issues with the Army Corps of Engineers with a drainage culvert design. The issue required Bowman Construction to idle work due to the delay, for which she said they have sought recovery costs.

Crow repeated her recommendation that the commission revisit its long term vision for the area in the spring.The board also discussed official correspondence regarding airport affairs; approved payment of accounts; a hanger lease transfer between owners; reduced terminal cleanings to accommodate the loss of the third daily flight; and agreed to explore the possibility of adding the airport to the Koochiching County Port Authority security plan.

The International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission manages a LASAC fund that is made up from fee’s, interest and securities that are distributed to LASAC airports for construction, improvements and operations. The next meeting will be at 8 a.m. Dec. 22 at Einarson Flying Service.