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INTRODUCTION
In the summer of 2003, the City of Longmont adopted the Airport Master Plan. The Master Plan process included several public meetings in which ideas, options, concerns and projections were shared by the community and the airport. Many of the frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) are detailed in this section and give insight to the operation of the airport.
View the PowerPoint Presentation (you must have "PowerPoint" software on your computer to view this)
Are business jets inevitable?
Business jets already use the airport. According to Federal Aviation Administration records, there were 86 business jet operations in 2001.
Do jets flying from the airport need a 6200-foot runway or is this considered a very risky situation?
Given the current length of the runway of 4,800 feet, some business jets that use the airport face increased operational risks. If the aircraft were to have an engine failure on takeoff, the current runway may not be long enough for some business jets to come to a safe stop.
If we extend the runway can we (the aircraft) be more efficient by fully loading fuel?
Currently, there are aircraft not flying out of Longmont due to not being efficient. If the runway were to be extended, then the business aircraft could take on more fuel and increase their business efficiency.
If you make the runway longer will it draw more aircraft?
A longer runway would likely result in a modest increase in aircraft using the airport. Normal projected growth in the area flying population will also result in increased use of the Longmont Vance Brand Airport during the period covered by the Master Plan update. Large jets, like those that carry passengers from Denver International Airport could not operate from the airport, as the runway is not capable of sustaining the weight of these types of aircraft.
If you are not planning on bringing in larger jets, why do you want a longer runway?
A longer runway would simply increase the margin of safety for every aircraft currently using the airport.
Are there statistics on the safety issues at the airport?
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board document all aircraft accidents in which the aircraft receives substantial damage. Since 1990, thirty-seven occurrences have been documented by these agencies.
How many problems have occurred at the airport and does this number justify lengthening the runway?
Since 1990, there are four documented cases in which a longer runway may have prevented an aircraft accident. There is no set criteria for the number of incidents, severity of damage or injuries that are used to determine runway length.
Why can’t the airport be moved to Interstate 25 or east of Interstate 25?
The airport was built in 1942 at its present location. For more than fifty years, the airport has received Federal, State and City funds to upgrade and maintain the airport in good operating condition. As the airport is a City of Longmont asset, the City of Longmont has chosen through their Longmont Area Comprehensive Plan Strategies and Goals to maintain the airport in its current location. There would be tremendous costs involved in relocating the airport to another location after considering the amount of investment at the airport that has taken place in the past fifty years.
Does the airport use the "through the fence" feature where businesses can have their own hangar on their property and taxi from their hangar onto the airport?
The airport has in place an approved "through the fence" operating agreement. However, to date, the airport has never used this operating agreement. For this agreement to be utilized it would have to be for a business or corporation whose property boundary connects to the airport property boundary. Currently there are no businesses or corporations that have property that abut the airport property boundary.
Can you provide a breakdown of the residency of the owners of the aircraft at the airport?
There are approximately 340 aircraft that are based at the airport, or call Longmont Vance Brand Airport their home. Of these aircraft, approximately 35% are owned by people who live within the Longmont city limits, 50% are within Boulder County limits and the remaining 15% are from outlying communities.
Whatever the decision is to be, is it possible that we can get more responsive attention from the airport manager? (The phone is never answered. Out of 22 calls over the years, I have never received a response).
The Airport Manager keeps a log of every incoming phone call that is received on the voice mail system. Voice mails are returned within 24 hours of receipt by the airport manager. The Airport Manager recommends that if the phone is not answered, leave a detailed voice mail message with your name and a return telephone number. The airport manager will return your phone call if you provide a callback number.
How much longer is Longmont’s runway than Boulder’s?
The runway at Longmont Airport is 4,800 feet long. The runway at Boulder Airport is 4,100 feet. Longmont’s runway is 700 feet longer than Boulder’s runway.
What percentages of the planes currently at the airport require a longer field?
It is estimated that one to two percent of the aircraft based at Longmont Vance Brand Airport would require a longer runway based upon safe operating procedures.
Last fall there was a terrorist alert on all nuclear facilities…Jeffco and Boulder were shut down. Has this caused a stronger desire for pilots/jets from there to want to move to the Longmont area?
As a result of the restrictions on flight near nuclear facilities, Longmont Vance Brand Airport received a temporary influx of aircraft that were based at Jeffco and Boulder airports. Based upon the negative economic impacts as a result of the flight restrictions to some aviation businesses at both Jeffco and Boulder airports, there has been some desire for those businesses to relocate to the Longmont Vance Brand Airport because the Longmont Vance Brand Airport is not within the "no fly zone" of the nuclear facilities located on the Front Range.
Are there plans for residential development between Rogers and Nelson?
According to the Longmont Area Comprehensive Plan there are three "pockets" of land that are zoned for residential development. Two pockets are for low residential development and one pocket, located near Hover Road is zoned for medium density residential development. Before these areas can be developed, they must first be annexed into the City of Longmont. Before the land can be annexed, the development must provide an exceptional benefit to the City of Longmont. This process requires the approval of the Longmont Planning and Zoning Commission and the Longmont City Council.
Is there a pent-up demand for bringing in cargo to Longmont?
To date, the Airport Manager has not received any communications or inquiries from companies interested in using the Longmont Airport for cargo shipment operations.
What environmental biohazard plans are in the process based upon the possibility of a chemical spill at Amgen that relates to the airport?
The City of Longmont has a comprehensive Emergency Plan for all types of emergencies that occur within the city, including biohazard spills. The City of Longmont’s Fire Chief is the Incident Commander for these operations. The Longmont Fire Department and associated emergency response agencies have practice drills to prepare for these types of emergencies on a regular basis. A copy of the biohazard emergency response plan can be obtained by calling the Longmont Fire Department at 303-651-8890.
Is what I have to say really going to count? (I live in Boulder County right at the end of the runway).
Is Longmont actually going to listen to us or are they just being nice? The City of Longmont listens to all citizens about all concerns, even those that live in the County which surrounds the City limits of Longmont. There are many ways for citizens to contact the City of Longmont regarding airport concerns. For example, you can call the Airport Manager, you can attend the Airport Advisory Board meetings in which citizens can directly relate their concerns to the Board and you can attend City Council meetings where you can explain your concerns directly to the City Council. The Airport Advisory Board meets the second Thursday of each month at the City of Longmont’s Public Works Maintenance Facility, located at 375 Airport Road. The meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. The Longmont City Council meetings are every Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. The meetings take place at the Longmont Civic Center located at 350 Kimbark Street. You can reach the Airport Manager at 303-651-8431.
How do we ensure that the studies to be done by the consulting agency are objective and who pays for it?
The consultant’s responsibility is to provide objective information to the City for use in policy decisions. The analyses performed by the consultant are part of the public record for this project and will be fully documented in the final reports as well as communicated on a continual basis at the public information meetings.
Can the consultants do a comparison to the last consultation from 1993 and tell us what it is that would suggest some expansion action should be taken?
The current study has examined growth at the airport including use by larger aircraft. The conclusion based upon the forecasts was that alternatives including runway extension would be considered. By way of comparison, the previous study projected 232 based aircraft by year 2013. The present number of based aircraft, 340, substantially exceeds that estimate.
Can we get a full disclosure of any political contributions given to the city council members by those who have a vested interest in expanding the airport?
When a candidate runs for the Longmont City Council, they are required by campaign finance law to report the source of all contributions in excess of $100. A copy of the people, organizations and special interest groups that contribute in excess of $100 to a candidate are kept on file at the Longmont City Clerks Office. The City Clerks Office can be reached by calling 303-651-8648.
Which businesses/groups have an interest in expanding the airport?
Currently, there are no specific businesses, groups or special interest organizations that are seeking expansion of the airport. At this time the Longmont Vance Brand Airport is simply updating its Airport Master Plan, which is a document the City uses as a long range planning tool. Typically, the Federal Aviation Administration prefers that airports, regardless of size or use, have a Master Plan that is current within a five to seven year time frame.
How much is this going to cost me as a taxpayer?
There will be NO direct costs to the general taxpayers of the City of Longmont or Boulder County. The Longmont Vance Brand Airport is operated as an Enterprise Fund per City Charter provisions. This means that the airport can only expend airport enterprise funds that the airport alone generates.
Funding for most major improvements, those typically above $50,000, are financed through a system of grants provided by the Colorado State Division of Aeronautics and the Federal Aviation Administration Airport Improvement Program. Again, these grants the Airport receives do not come from general taxpayer monies. Rather, these grants are based on user fees that are collected at airports throughout the state and country in the form of ticket taxes, landing fees, cargo fees and airplane fuel taxes.
How is that going effect the mill levy or property tax?
Any type of improvements, or if decided, any expansion of the airport will not have an effect on personal property tax or adjust the mill levy in any way.
How much revenue does the airport generate for the city?
The Longmont Vance Brand Airport is operated as an enterprise fund. This means that the airport can only expend funds that the airport alone generates. Therefore, all revenue generated at the airport is used to pay for the expenses generated by the airport. However, the results of the 1996/1997 Economic Impact Study, completed by the State of Colorado, indicate that the airport contributes $10 million in local economic activity while providing $3 million in earnings through secondary employment. This study also finds that because the airport is located in Longmont, there are 140 secondary jobs associated with the airport.
How many businesses use the airport?
An exact number is not available because businesses are not required to register their aircraft with the airport. However, some examples would include: Wal-Mart, the owners of Twin Peaks Mall, Department of Forestry and various financial institutions to name just a few.
Who actually owns the airport? The airport is owned and operated by the City of Longmont.
Do we have income from the planes that land there?
The airport generates the majority of its revenue from two sources. First, the airport generates money from aircraft that are based, or call Longmont Vance Brand Airport home, through lease fees for keeping their aircraft on the airport. Lastly, for every gallon of aviation fuel used on the airport, the City collects six cents. These fees and taxes are used to support the airport. On average, the airport has a typical budget of $150,000 per fiscal year.
Are there going to be time restrictions for takeoffs and landings?
Because the airport is the recipient of Federal and State funding, there are certain requirements and agreements that the City must adhere to in order to be eligible for Federal and State funds. In accepting Federal and State funds for the airport, the City agrees to keep the airport open for use 24 hours a day to all classes of aircraft that the airport is designed to accommodate. If restrictions were put into place that would limit the hours of operation or the number of landings or takeoffs, the City would no longer be eligible for Federal and State funds and could be required to pay back the amount of Federal and State funds that the airport has received in the past.
Will it upgrade the airport in areas like security and a control tower, etc?
The Master Plan recommendations will not change security requirements. Any such changes would most likely result from the imposition of new requirements from the Federal Government.
Is the landing portion of the runway only 4,800 feet?
What controls the landing/takeoff area? ("To me, it’s just a strip of concrete"). Currently, the runway at the airport is 4,800 feet, which is available for both landing and taking off.
What happens when there’s a wind shift and you change directions?
Most of the time aircraft using the airport will takeoff to the west and land to the west, as the wind usually blows from the west to the east. For maximum safety, aircraft will land and takeoff into the wind. When the wind shifts and blows from the east to the west, aircraft will then depart and arrive from the west to the east so that the aircraft is landing and taking off into the wind.
What relevance does the number of aircraft currently at the airport and numbers of daily operations have to the length of the runway?
There is no specific relevance between the number of aircraft and the length of the runway.
The aircraft takeoff pattern is to the west. How do we who live in this area have a say in this decision?
This decision is not based on residential development or any other consideration other than atmospheric conditions; mostly, it relies on the direction the wind is blowing at the time. Most of the time aircraft using the airport will takeoff to the west and land to the west, as the wind usually blows from the west to the east. For maximum safety, aircraft will land and takeoff into the wind. When the wind shifts and blows from the east to the west, aircraft will then depart and arrive from the west to the east so that aircraft land and take off into the wind.
How will these alterations affect the parachutists?
Any of the decisions made through the Master Plan process will not affect the parachutists on the airport. Their operation will remain the same regardless of the outcome of any decisions that are made in the Master Plan.
Has there already been a study done about the noise and hours of operation?
Yes, there has. The hours of operation for the airport will not change. However, there has not been an updated noise impact study since 1992, which is being updated through this Master Plan update.
Who actually does the environmental study?
Knight Piésold has been retained by the City of Longmont to perform the environmental overview as part of the Scope of Services for the Airport Master Plan update.
Can a different organization do the noise/environmental impact studies?
Knight Piésold has been retained by the City of Longmont to perform the environmental overview as part of the Scope of Services for the Airport Master Plan update. The Scope of Services for the Airport Master Plan update has already been approved by the Federal Aviation Administration and their guidelines do not call for an independent environmental assessment.
Why not spend your money in putting a tower to control this little airport instead of extending the runway?
There is a possibility, based upon the results of the Airport Master Plan study, that the City of Longmont may consider a feasibility study to add a control tower.
Why would you spend 2 million dollars to catch another 10% of the planes to use the runway? (80% of 10-passenger planes data)
As indicated at the public information meeting, safety is the principal concern relative to runway extension alternatives at Longmont Vance Brand Airport.
Are there regulations that can restrict the altitude of aircraft flying over residential neighborhoods?
Yes, Federal Aviation Regulations describe the minimum safe aircraft operating altitudes.
Are the runway lengths FAA requirements or suggested guidelines?
The FAA provides advisory guidelines. The ultimate decision concerning any runway extension rests with the City of Longmont.
Are the planes always going to be landing over Airport Road?
Yes, planes will continue to land over Airport Road. While at times it can be a little unnerving, it has proven to be safe in the past. When the airport was last expanded in 1992, the end of the runway closest to Airport Road was moved 330 feet to the west to help insure that aircraft landing and cars driving on Airport Road would not be in conflict. If the airport receives another runway extension, the end of the runway closest to Airport Road could be shifted again to the west to further support this type of safety measure.
Why do supposedly intelligent pilots ignore FAA regulations over residential areas?
As with any large, diverse group of people, there will always be those who break the rules. We do make every attempt to follow up with this group of people and constantly try to keep educating them. It is important to note that in the last five years, the airport has provided information to the Federal Aviation Administration. The subsequent enforcement action resulted in six months of suspensions for three pilots.
Is skydiving going to be regulated?
Skydiving activity is already regulated on the airport by both the City of Longmont and the Federal Aviation Administration. While in its early inception in 1996 there were difficulties associated with the skydiving at the airport, in the past five years there have been a number of operational changes that have resulted in a more compatible and integrated operation within the airport environment.
Are there guidelines for differentiating a recreational use versus other use of the airport?
With respect to airport operations, the FAA provides no differentiation between recreational and non-recreational use. The airport is public-use facility, and with exceptions, cannot discriminate based upon use.