HomeMy WebLinkAboutAirMinutes_2008_11_25Brookings Airport Board
November 25, 2008
Brookings, SD 57006
The Brookings Airport Board was called to order by Chairperson Jeff Boulware
on Thursday, November 25, 2008 at 3:30 PM in the Community Room located in the
lower level of City Hall. Members present were Lynn Riedesel, Jim Bailey, Orv Smidt,
Harry Forsyth, and Boulware. Also present were Randy Hanson – Pheasant’s Fury, Bob
Karns and Lois Barton - Sovereign Air, Inc., City Engineer Jackie Lanning, and Airport
Manager Mike Wilson.
Item #2 – (Bailey/Smidt) Motion to approve the minutes from the November 13, 2008
meeting. All present voted aye. MOTION CARRIED.
Item #3 – (Riedesel/Forsyth) Motion to approve the agenda. All present voted aye.
MOTION CARRIED.
Item #4 – Airport Board recommendation of an air carrier for Essential Service –
Airport Manager Mike Wilson said any air carrier is eligible to apply for an EAS bid,
but. Sovereign Air must have a Part 121 certificate on a Beech 1900 to provide
Essential Air Service. With their current Part 135 certificate, Sovereign Air can only fly
the Cessna 172 single-engine plane for commuter or on-demand service. Wilson said
it takes six (6) months to one (1) year to get a Part 121 certificate for a Beech 1900
from the FAA. Bob Karns with Sovereign Air, Inc. said they have started the
application and can have a Part 135 certificate in less time than that and they can
operate EAS in Brookings with that certificate. Wilson said the Part 135 Certificate for
scheduled air service cannot be used in a Beech 1900, Sovereign Air needs a Part
121 certificate. Wilson added that for a Part 135 Certificate, a Part 139 airfield (which
is what Brookings has) is not needed. City Engineer Jackie Lanning said that an
airport must have a Part 139 certificate if Essential Air Service is Part of that airport.
That is the rating of the Brookings Municipal Airport, and because they have the
rating and have spent the money, they want EAS to fully utilize the airfield. Riedesel
asked Karns what the difference was for them to get the Part 121 certificate as
compared to a Part 135, and why, if getting the Part 135 certificate is so much
easier, would anyone ever get a Part 121 certificate. Karns said safety was not an
issue, and they would be safer than airlines operating on Part 121 certificates.
Riedesel asked Karns where they would have gate space at the Lindbergh terminal
in Minneapolis. Karns said they are working with a couple of airlines to secure space.
Wilson said that as of today, Sovereign Air, Inc. is incompatible for a Beech 1900
which is what Brookings would need for an EAS aircraft, and they will need the six (6)
months to one (1) year to get the needed certificate. The Cessna plane that
Sovereign Air has now is too small for Brookings’ needs. Forsyth asked how long it
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would take to get an EAS airline up and running in Brookings. Wilson said the TSA
would take the most time to get in place. He felt they could be ready by May 2009.
Wilson added that this bid is only through September 30, 2009. Then a continuing
resolution would be needed again. Smidt asked Wilson where Brookings stands with
Great Lakes Airlines which is also bidding for EAS to Brookings. Wilson said that Great
Lakes has a Part 121 certificate and is an airline that is already established. Wilson
said that the Beech 1900 is in big demand. Karns told the Board that Sovereign Air
would be operational in 45 – 60 days. He said he would provide Beech 1900 serial
and N numbers to the Board if they requested. Karns said they are already
approaching the Marshal market and the Minot to Denver market with a Part 121
certificate. Riedesel asked where this 121 certificate was coming from.
Riedesel asked about the training for Sovereign Air personnel. Karns said that would
be done through SDSU in Brookings. Boulware stated that there are no contracts at
the present time between SDSU and Sovereign Air, Inc. He said there had been on-
the-surface talking but no contracts. He added that if there were to be such
contracts, SDSU would need to a hire and train personnel because at the present
time, they have nothing qualifying them for the Beech 1900. He also said that SDSU
does not locally have a simulator. They may in the future, but not at the preset time.
Riedesel agreed. He said he did training with CAE in Dallas, Texas, and acquiring a
simulator and program like that at SDSU would be impossible in this timeframe even
with all the money in place. Karns added that Brookings has a fantastic facility, and
SDSU has a great aviation program, and they (Sovereign Air, Inc.) want to be part of
it. Riedesel asked Wilson if it would be possible for TSA to begin their start-up process
now. Wilson said they have already started it. Wilson said that the final decision on
EAS for Brookings will be made by the Department of Transportation. The Brookings
Airport Board only gives them a recommendation.
Wilson said he felt Sovereign Air needed to go back and talk with Marshall,
Minnesota and get things rolling there. He felt that they needed to acquire aircraft
and establish an airline before bidding for EAS routes. Wilson said at the present time,
he recommends Great Lakes Aviation to serve the Brookings community. He
encouraged Sovereign Air to start in Marshall and return to Brookings when they
have all their contingencies taken care of and air service in place. He said he felt
Sovereign Air should have more time to solidify their remaining issues. Karns said that
Sovereign Air has $750,000 available from the Native American Bank in Denver, and
with that loan, they can service Brookings if EAS were to go away again. He said
they will provide good service, good prices, and a good schedule all which make a
good airline. He said that Great Lakes has higher rates and no cap on their prices.
Barton added that Sovereign Air, Inc. wants to start in Brookings.
Boulware asked FBO owner, Randy Hanson how he felt. Hanson said he felt that
Sovereign Air would be better for the FBO as he needs the fuel sales, and Great
Lakes has said they may purchase some fuel. He also said if Sovereign Air could pull
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this off, it would be great for Brookings as a community. However, if they can’t
provide the services that they say they will, it again, puts a black eye on aviation
service for the Brookings community. Lanning asked if Great Lakes would be
partnering with another town. Wilson said no, their service would be from Brookings
to Minneapolis. Smidt asked why Great Lakes felt they could make it in Brookings this
time. Boulware said because they would be getting into the Minneapolis market
where prices and services are going to be going down. Great lakes would also
have the possibility of providing service from Brookings to Pierre to Denver, bringing
passengers from further west through Brookings to Minneapolis. Bailey asked if it
would be better to bid later (the next bid letting) because this bid would only be for
good for a few months. Wilson said Brookings can’t wait if we want Essential Air
Service. Brookings needs to start now because TSA won’t begin making their return
plans to Brookings until Brookings has an airline. Riedesel agreed saying if Brookings
wants EAS, they must start now to get an airline. Then there is a better chance to
continue with EAS for the following year.
(Forsyth/Smidt) Motion delay the voting on the recommendation so as to
allow the Board more time for discussion and for making a final choice and to allow
another special meeting where the final decision can be made. All present voted
aye. MOTION CARRIED.
The meeting was adjourned.
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Diane M. Spencer, Secretary Jeff Boulware, Chairperson