PAUL A. VITALE
3 COLLEGE LANE
BEVERLY, MA 01915
978-921-9033
Email:
Message from the Chairman….
April 2006 Newsletter
Pilots, Plane Owners and Operators,
Spring is in the air. (We hope.) Time is moving fast and I continue to be excited and optimistic about the projects that have already begun. In the past few months we have accomplished a lot.
1) The 2 old dilapidated planes have been removed from the air field. Thank you Ken Robinson of North Atlantic Air for your help.
2) I have updated our website with volunteer help from Chris Randall of Network Innovations located in the old tower building. www.beverlyairport.org These two projects are an example of how working together for the common good of the airport can be successful.
3) We are waiting for the weather to break to repair the damaged segmented circle. Work should start within 30 days.
4) Bob Mezzetti and I have completed our first noise abatement program to communicate with pilots recommended flight procedures to follow regarding noise sensitive areas in the neighborhoods bordering the airport.
5) Linda McCarthy, owner of Something Different Café is remodeling her office building adjacent to the restaurant. Linda has office space available, if interested please call 978-927-0070.
6) For all pilots arriving and departing the airport this summer, the following is extremely important. Starting June 2006 the reconstruction of runway 16/34 will begin. Completion date is November or December 2006. The majority of the work will be concentrated at the approach end of runway 34 near Cherry Hill Industrial Park. Unfortunately, runway 16/34 will have to be closed for approximately 2 months – July and August. Runway 9/27 will not be affected and will remain open. Please be patient, when the project is completed we will have a new and safer runaway, a new run-up area, an extension to taxiway Alpha and new runway safety areas. Our engineering firm E & K and commissioner Gardner Trask are working on a public meeting to explain the runway reconstuction projects.
7) FAA issued a directive for March 20, 2006 that instructed all airports to stop runway hold short operations. The directive has been postponed for approximately six months. I will keep you informed.
8) Our BAC meeting was held on March 13, 2006. Minutes are available at the airport manager’s office or call 978-921-6072. In the near future, the meeting minutes, newsletter, noise abatement program and noise complaint forms will be available on our website.
9) FYI – Enclosed is the construction schedule and cost for our projects starting 2006 through 2011. In addition to these projects, approximately $700,000.00 will be spent by private individuals remodeling existing buildings and constructing new facilities.
10) Commission Member Tony Dettorre and Ken Robinson of NAA are working hard to bring in a WAAS System (wide area augmentation system); more details will be available in a few months.
11) The old hanger 1 building on the east side is undergoing a major renovation by NAA. Bathroom facilities, phone service and flight planning will be available 7 days a week during normal operating hours beginning April 9th. Additional services will be available in the near future. For more information call Ken Robinson 978-774-2070.
Jim Baker has started the remodeling projects on hangers 2 and 3. Construction of their new hanger will begin next to hanger 3 soon. They also have hanger space available. For more information, call Jim Baker 781-938-7034.
The declining operations on the airport are very troublesome.
2000 – 100,457 operations 2003 – 81,697 operations
2001 - 92,702 operations 2004 – 73,974 operations
2001 - 92,228 operations 2005 – 64,110 operations
Pilots, Instructors and plane owners we need your help. I recommend when you are arriving or departing the airport complete a few touch and goes. Also, if you know student pilots, instructors and plane owners from other airports invite them to fly to BVY and to do touch and goes, possibly making a stop for fuel and a meal at the restaurant. We need to work together and be creative to reverse this trend. More on this in future newsletters.
I would like to invite anyone who wants to help rebuild Beverly Airport to call or email me. Join us at our next commission meeting on Monday, April 10th or Monday May 8th at 7 p.m. located at the Airport Manager’s Office.
Paul A. Vitale