KC Flyer March 2004

President: Earlene McClure, Vice-President: Penrod Turk,
Secretary: Pam Ratliff, Treasurer: Marty Young

February 25, 2003 --- February's meeting at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown KCMO was delayed until the outside American flag was lowered so we could use it in our meeting room! President Earlene McClure introduced Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport Manager Mike Roper and his assistant, Nick Fouda, who offered a slide presentation on various aspects of the airport that proved most interesting and informative. Mike had previously worked in airport operations at Lambert St. Louis International Airport. He also recalled his pleasant experience working with Vanguard Airlines for a brief period before assuming the position of Assistant Manager of Operations at KCI. After two and a half years in that position, Mike volunteered to move to Downtown Airport to become assistant to Ed Noyallis. The KCMO buyout program forced Mike into a fast learning curve when Ed and the rest of the management team retired, and he became manager. He expressed his great love for GA airports. Nick previously worked with Mike in Airport Operations at KCI and was recently promoted to Acting Assistant Manager of Operations when he joined Mike at Downtown Airport as Assistant Manager. A new office manager is also now in place. Mike mentioned several of the benefits the airport provides, service to pilots being an obvious one. A recent study of airport activities and the effect on business indicated a direct impact of $134,000,000, providing a $280,000,000 multiplier effect for Kansas City to simplify the numbers he presented. Being close to downtown, it provides cultural benefits. And of course, pilot ground and flight training fill future civilian and military positions. As to airport operations, these were affected by 9/11, but are increasing. Every touch and go we make helps the operations count which in turn helps justify tower operations and federal dollar input. Ground assets include 1.5 million square feet of apron area, 40 T-hangars, and 402,000 sq. ft. of conventional hangar space. Both enjoy almost 100% utilization. After a number of alternatives were studied, the Airport Layout Plan was approved, and calls for additional runway length and an improved taxiway design to enhance safety. The primary runway, 1-19 at 7,001 ft., will be extended 400 feet to provide 800 ft. Runway Safety Areas at each end, but will provide 6,901 for takeoffs, and 6,401 ft. for landings due to 500 ft. displaced thresholds. An estimated 90,000 cubic yards of fill in the flood plain area will be required on the north end as well as rerouting Lou Holland Drive closer to the Missouri River to accommodate the improved Runway Safety Areas. Input was solicited from all users in the design process. An improved runway profile and much taxiway work will require periodic weekend shutdowns. Modifications to 3-21 will also be made. Future goals include paving all parking areas and building additional hangars, perhaps using creative financing. Corps of Engineer approval is forthcoming, and an Environmental Impact Study is not expected to present any problems. Thanks for a great, informative talk, Mike, our MPA members support your outstanding efforts! Al St. Germain

March 24, 2004 - Election of Officers
March 24, 2004 At the DAV, 8787 Old Santa Fe Road. Reservations MUST BE MADE by Sunday, March 21, 2004. Presenting the program at our March meeting will be Jay A. Lautzenheiser discussing seaplane operations and showing a short video titled "Flying America's Waterways". Jay owns and flys a 1963 Lake amphibian. In addition to the Lake, he has flown an ultralight flying boat, 6 planes with straight floats and one amphibious floatplane. Please call Earlene at 816-452-2083 or Alan at 816-452-6019 by 9PM on Sunday 3/21 for reservations. Cost is $12.00 per person. Dinner at 6:30 P.M. and Social from 6:00 - 6:30 P.M.. Please provide your name and the number of reservations you are making. NO-SHOWS WILL BE BILLED.

April 28 -- will be at the Holiday Inn at Parvin Rd and I-435 (near Worlds of fun). The price is $12 including tip. We pay no taxes. We will have a barbecue buffet consisting of ham, smoked brisket, potato salad, coleslaw, baked beans, buttered corn and corn bread.
Meeting begins at 6:30pm and dinner will be served at 6:45. Please call Earlene at 816-452-2083 or Alan at 816-452-6019 by 9PM on Sunday 4/25 for reservations. Pls provide your name and the number of reservations you are making. NO-SHOWS WILL BE BILLED.

Future meeting locations will be:

May ---Holiday Inn (Parvin Rd. and I-435)
June --- Hometown Buffet, formerly the Old Country Buffet (Hwy 40 & Noland Rd in Independence)
July --- DAV
August --- TBA
Sept --- Chapter Picnic at Lees Summit Airport

Flyouts: No Flyouts scheduled for this month.

MO-KAN Wings Contest - Remember - Get ready for next year. All non-pilot members should attend a safety meeting and have a WINGS card signed. These are needed for our interstate rivalry with the Kansas Pilots Association (KPA). The KPA is very serious about this contest and won the trophy (furnished by Ed Duckworth) year before last. All non-pilot members should send their signed wings card to Penrod Turk.

The State Wings Contest runs from April 1^st thru March 31^st each year. Let's make the WINGS year WINGS Safe. All it takes is one hour of air work, one hour of takeoffs and landings, one hour of instrument and a safety meeting. It is the responsibility of each chapter WINGS Chair to keep track of all their WINGS participants. So — please — keep Chapter Wings Officer, Penrod Turk, informed upon the completion of any phase. (4 West 112th Street, Kansas City, MO 64114-5304)

MPA Board Meetings - This is a reminder that any member can attend our chapter board meetings. They are held on the first Tuesday of the month, excluding holidays, at Executive Beechcraft, Downtown Airport, at 7:00 P.M. We always welcome your advice and assistance, and the hospitality is great.

MPA State Board Meetings - Anyone can attend the State board meeting. Check the M.P.A. NEWS for meeting date and location. Make this your additional flyout.