Elmira Corning Regional Airport: Intention to File PFC Application

Chemung County, the sponsor of the Elmira Corning Regional Airport (ECRA), is posting this public notice as part of the passenger facility charge (PFC) process under 14 CFR Sec. 158.24. ECRA intends to file PFC Application 12-05-C-00-ELM with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) which includes three "Impose & Use" projects, two "Use Only" projects, and one "Impose Only" project.

The following three projects are included in the application to impose a PFC and use the PFC revenue ("Impose & Use"):

• Acquire Multi-Purpose Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) - $809,276 (100% of Total Project Cost)
  Description: The airport will purchase a piece of Multi-Purpose SRE with a plow and broom attachment. The airport currently has three Sweeper/Brooms in its inventory, including a 2001 Oshkosh Sweepster, a 2005 Oshkosh Sweepster, and a 2010 Oshkosh HT Multi-Function Plow/Broom. Additionally, the airport maintains four displacement plows dedicated for airside use, including a 1978 Oshkosh, a 2004 Sterling, a 1999 Volvo, and a 2010 Mack Granite. Each displacement plow has a 20 foot blade. According to FAA guidance provided in AC 150/5220-20 and AC 150/5200-30, the airport would require up to six displacement plows and four sweepers/brooms to clear the Critical Snow Removal Areas. The addition of a new Multi-Purpose SRE will allow the airport to meet the standards noted previously as the airport is presently short one displacement plow and one sweeper/broom. The acquisition of a Multi-Purpose SRE instead of two separate vehicles will provide reduced annual maintenance costs and will also allow for more efficient allocation of labor and fast and efficient removal of snow.
  Justification: With the harsh winter weather in upstate New York, it is important for the airport to maintain four working brooms in order to maintain operations during snow and ice events. The brooms are the preferred equipment for snow removal and the clean-up of remaining snow after a storm has ended at the airport. Based on the airport's Snow Removal Plan, approximately 2.9 Million Square Feet of pavement are included in the Airport's Critical Snow Removal Areas. This area includes Runway 6-24 (where construction is under way to increase the total length to 8,000 feet), Parallel Taxiway A, the Commercial Apron and associated tug areas, and the emergency access routes. Acquisition of the equipment will assure compliance with the FAA standard of one sweeper per 750,000 square feet of critical pavement, and two displacement plows with equal capacity of each rotary snowplow in the fleet. Six displacement plows are required based on that capacity. The acquisition of additional snow removal equipment meets Eligibility Criteria 1 by preserving the safety and capacity of the national air transportation system.

• Design Taxiways A, L, and B - $17,750 (5% of Total Project Cost)
  Description: This project is the construction of Taxiways "A" and "L", and the relocation of the existing Taxiway "B". Taxiway "A" would provide a full-length parallel taxiway to primary Runway 6-24, as per FAA planning guidelines and as recommended in the 2007 Master Plan Update. Currently, aircraft taxi along the edge of the Commercial Apron and the Alpha Apron when accessing Runway 6-24. Taxiway "L" would provide a 1,200' x 50' parallel taxiway between the Runway 10 end and the intersection of Taxiway "A" and the Alpha Apron. Currently there is no access taxiway to the Runway 10 end, requiring aircraft to back taxi on Runway 10-28. In conjunction with the removal of several T-hangars in the vicinity, Taxiway "B" would be relocated to the existing pavement that previously housed a taxilane at the western edge of the Alpha Apron. With the designation of the new taxiway, the pavement of the current Taxiway "B" would be removed and the site would be converted to mowed grass.
  Justification: Airfield capacity and efficiency would be improved by decreasing the amount of back-taxiing prior to takeoff or after landing to reach a connector taxiway from the runway. The realigned Taxiway "A" will remove aircraft traffic from the Commercial and Alpha Aprons; Taxiway "L" will provide access to the Runway 10 end and eliminate back-taxiing; and Taxiway "B" will provide an improved route to the Bravo Apron through the Alpha Apron. This project meets Eligibility Criteria 1 by enhancing the safety of the national air transportation system.

• PFC Program Administration - $26,991 (100% of Total Project Cost)
  Description: The proposed project includes necessary costs associated with the preparation and administration of the proposed PFC application and associated future amendments for the Elmira Corning Regional Airport. As noted in FAA Order 5500.1 and 14 CFR 158, the reasonable and necessary costs of administering a PFC program are eligible and public agencies may choose to accomplish these tasks through a consultant, internal personnel, or a combination of the two. This proposed project will include compilation of the PFC application materials, confirmation of enplanement forecasts, required coordination, documentation of necessary amendments, and assistance with collections reporting, as well as additional tasks associated with the administration of the PFC program.
  Justification: 14 CFR 158 and FAA Order 5500.1 state that an airport's reasonable and necessary costs of administering the PFC program are eligible for PFC reimbursement. These PFC administration costs, which can include the costs of preparing, coordinating, and submitting a PFC application, must be identified as a separate PFC project. The PFC Program Administration meets Eligibility Criteria 1 by preserving or enhancing the safety, security, and capacity of the national air transportation system and Eligibility Criteria 3 by furnishing opportunities for enhanced competition between or among air carriers.

The following projects are included in the application to amend the approved collection amount ("Impose Only") under PFC Application 09-03-C-01-ELM and to apply for approval to utilize the funds ("Use Only") as part of PFC Application 12-05-C-00-ELM:
Design GA Access - $8,750 (5% of Total Project Cost)
Construct GA Access - $87,500 (5% of Total Project Cost)
Description: These projects involve the design and construction of an access road for users of the general aviation facilities. The new access road will separate traffic destined for the general aviation hangar and apron facilities at the airport from traffic accessing the Sikorsky Military Derivatives Completion Center - North Complex. The access road will terminate at a new general aviation parking facility that will improve airport security as well as usability and access for general aviation facilities.
Justification: These projects further advance the 2007 Master Plan goal of segregating various activity centers to minimize and avoid potential conflicts between commercial, corporate, and recreational aviation activities. The 2007 Master Plan identified these projects that will improve the accessibility of the airport for general aviation users as well as limit access to the general aviation area for users destined for the Sikorsky Military Derivatives Completion Center - North Complex. These projects involve the design and construction of access roads leading to additional GA parking. These projects meet Eligibility Criteria 1 by enhancing the capacity of the national air transportation system.

The following project is included in the application to impose a PFC only ("Impose Only"):
Acquire ARFF Truck - $32,500 (5% of Total Project Cost)
Description: The airport will purchase a replacement Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) truck capable of meeting the standards of 14 CFR 139 and ARFF Index B. The proposed vehicle will replace a 2002 Oshkosh TI-3000 as the primary ARFF vehicle at the airport. In addition, A 1990 E-One Titan III 1500 that currently serves as a reserve apparatus will be removed from service. The 2002 Oshkosh is capable of holding 3,000 gallons of water, 420 gallons of foam, and 450 pounds of dry chemical, and will serve as a reserve apparatus at the airport. The proposed vehicle is anticipated to have similar capabilities as the 2002 Oshkosh, and will comply with ARFF Index B requirements. According to 14 CFR 139, Index B airports are required to provide either "one vehicle carrying at least 500-pounds of sodiumbased dry chemical, halon 1211, or clean agent and 1,500 gallons of water and the commensurate quantity of AFFF for foam production" or two vehicles, with one vehicle carrying at least 500 pounds of sodium-based dry chemical, halon 1211, or clean agent, or 450 pounds of potassium-based dry chemical and water with a commensurate quantity of AFFF to total 100 gallons, and "one vehicle carrying an amount of water and the commensurate quantity of AFFF so the total quantity of water for foam production carried by both vehicles is at least 1,500 gallons."
Justification: According to FAA Advisory Circular 150/5220-10E, Guide Specification for Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Vehicles, the average lifespan of an ARFF vehicle is 10-12 years. The current primary ARFF vehicle will be 12 years old when the new equipment is acquired and the current reserve apparatus will be nearly 25 years old. The proposed replacement will enable the Airport to ensure that adequate ARFF protection is available at all times with reliable vehicles. According to AC 150/5220-10E, and 14 CFR 139.315, the Airport is categorized as Index B. This was determined because the largest aircraft to serve the Airport, the McDonnell Douglas MD80 series, is within Index C (with a total length of greater than 126 feet but less than 159 feet) but does not have an average of at least five daily departures. Therefore, the ARFF Index is reduced to the next lower Index.

The proposed PFC level of collection is $4.50 per eligible enplaned passenger. The estimated charge effective date is December 1, 2020, and the estimated charge expiration date is June 1, 2022. For PFC Application 12-05-C-00-ELM, the estimated PFC revenue to be collected during this period is approximately $886,517. Questions and comments regarding the proposed PFC application and amendments, including agreement or disagreement with any of the proposed projects, should be addressed to:

Ann Crook, AAE
Director of Aviation
Elmira Corning Regional Airport
276 Sing Sing Road, Suite 1
Horseheads, New York 14845
(607) 739-5621

All comments must be received by 4:00pm on Friday, August 17, 2012.
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