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Jacque LaValle, Chairman

Ray Bednarcik, Vice Chairman Dan Van Orden, Secretary

Erik Anderson Vernon Gray

Regan Hanson A. H. “Rich” Richardson

Appointed Alternates: Terry Adair

Appointed ex-officio member

George A. Erichsen, P.E. Director, Department of Public Works & Transportation and Airport Manager

Assigned Technical Advisor and Staff Support Gary B. Whipple, P.E.

Engineering Services Division

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The St. Mary’s County Airport Advisory Committee submits this 2013 annual report. The report contains the following noteworthy achievements:

REIO – Reviewed and recommended four business opportunities

Safety and Security - executed the 2013 Disaster Preparedness Drill employing 197 participants

Economic Impact – Business revenues exceeded $14M with 265 jobs

Community Outreach – five activities of interest were accomplished in 2013

Annual Budgeting - Capital Budget Improvements remain on track with the 2002 Master Plan with major construction planned for completion within the next five years. In FY2012, the airport operated at a net loss of $37,886

Airport Activity and Capacity – A total of 184 aircraft reside at the airport. The airport is currently at capacity with near term growth planned that will accommodate the existing 75 aircraft waiting for occupancy. There was an estimated 10% growth in operational events in CY2013.

Airport Rules and Minimum Standards – Received numerous public comments to the proposed rules and minimum standards that will help to better align the documents to the needs of the airport

St. Mary’s County Regional Airport continues to change in both demographics and economic impact. Located in the heart of the technology corridor, private enterprises are underway in the development and construction of various sized hangars, corporate office space and facilities that will enhance both technology production and increased labor work force. The committee looks forward to an accelerated growth in activity at the airport. To that end, it is this committee’s recommendation that research, development, production and technology synergism be the focus of an airport business plan to sustain future growth at the airport.

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INTRODUCTION

Purpose and Goals of the Committee

The Committee consists of seven (7) members and one (1) alternate whose role is to advise the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) and County government on future planning, development and opportunities related to general aviation that might affect this important County asset. The Committee meets on the fourth Monday of each month in the conference room of the Captain Walter F. Duke Terminal Building in California, Maryland unless otherwise indicated or if a special meeting is necessary. The purpose of the committee is to provide advice and assistance concerning the development, management safety and security of the airport to the BOCC. The self-determined goals of the Committee are to: ensure safe and secure facilities for general aviation; improve economic development potential; complete the extension of the runway and relocation of the taxiway to meet FAA standards for the Airport Reference Code (B-II large, aircraft less than 12,000 lbs.); protect and enhance airspace and approaches; and to ensure that commercial, private and public development in and around the airport meets standards with respect to safety and noise. The Airport Operations Division of the Department of Public Works & Transportation (DPW&T) provides administrative staff support from, and provides valuable technical input to the Airport Advisory Committee. The Airport Manager duties are performed by the Director of the Department of Public Works & Transportation. The Engineering Services Division provides capital Improvement and management assistance; the Building Services Division provides facilities maintenance services; and an operating agreement with our primary Fixed Base Operator (Airtec, Inc.) provides daily operational support.

Welcome and Thank You

The Committee would like to recognize Mr. George Erichsen, Director of Public Works and Transportation, for his support of the airport as Airport Manager, and the staff support he directs through Mr. Gary Whipple and Mr. Bob Carlton. The Committee wishes to extend its recognition of the County Highways & Building Services Divisions of the DPW&T, the Department of Recreation & Parks,

the County Attorney’s Office, Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD), Department of Land Use & Growth Management, Department of Finance, the Chamber of Commerce, Experimental Aircraft Association, Civil Air Patrol and fixed based tenants on the airfield for their continued assistance over the past year. The Committee recognizes past Committee members Constantine J. Papas and Art Goeller for their dedicated service while serving on the Committee this past year.

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MISSION STATEMENT

Airport Operations “To satisfy aviation demand and promote airport development that both integrates with the community and serves the region’s general aviation and corporate pilots.”

ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2013

The Committee reports the following:

Request for Interest for Aeronautical Commercial Services – The committee developed and advertised a study to determine the options available to establish additional aeronautical services at the Captain Walter F. Duke Terminal. The committee drafted a Request for an Expression of Interest (REOI) in the winter of 2012/2013 to solicit proposals and recommendations for presentation to the BOCC. The REOI was subsequently converted to a public notice and advertised on September 04, 2013. Four proposals were received, reviewed and

recommended by the committee on December 7, 2013. The economic impact section of this report details the recent activity of those proposals.

UAS Feasibility – FAA Test Site Designation: On March 5, 2013, the BOCC forwarded a letter of support for the University of

Maryland (UMD) to submit a Certificate Of Authorization (COA) application in response to an FAA Screening Information Request (SIR) solicitation. Support letters for Calvert and Charles counties were also submitted supporting the airport for SIR. On December 30, 2013, the FAA News Release on selection of research and test sites was issued. Maryland airports were not selected.

The Mid-Atlantic UAS Conference was held at the airport on April 12, 2012 as a joint meeting between the Virginia Dept. of Aviation and the Maryland Aviation Administration. Based on our October 28, 2011 meeting, candidate projects will be submitted for possible shortlist to the Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) panel. This is an FAA sponsored program that is managed by Transportation Research Board where research is conducted by contractors who are selected on the basis of competitive proposals. St. Mary’s County Project Proposal identified a possible UAV joint use - compatibility study between airport operations and the development of the north parcel as an industrial park. North parcel development is County-owned and has been identified since the mid 1980’s as an industrial park Safety & Security – (a) The committee in partnership with the Department of Emergency Services and Technology, Emergency Management Division, successful coordinated, planned and executed the airport’s first full scale Disaster Preparedness Drill at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport on October 5, 2013. The drill consisted of a

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dual scene scenario, employing services from three fire companies, five EMS companies, NAS Patuxent River Fire and Emergency Services including the use of their aircraft fire simulator, Maryland State Police, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol cadets. A total of 197 personnel were involved with the drill including the volunteer evaluators. Results of the drill were reviewed with 17 recommended action items for updating the master disaster preparedness document(s). (b) The Maryland Aviation Administration conducted their annual safety inspection of the airport on April 04, 2013, and several Airport Advisory Committee members conducted their safety inspection on June 1, 2013 to address and report on 26 findings with 70% resolution. (c) On September 05, 2013, the County repainted the runway and taxiway markings per the guidance of the MAA Safety Inspection. (d) In May 2013, the Building services Division replaced and activated the cipher lock controls at Gate D near the County Hangar to improve access control to the airfield. (e) The Committee, through the continued efforts of Chairman Jacque LaValle, initiated e-mail bulletins to airport patrons providing safety information from the Federal Aviation Administration and other sources.

(f) The voluntary Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)

Airport Watch Program continues to enhance security and a sense of ownership among airport tenants as evidenced by no reported Office of

the Sheriff responses to the airport for security related matters.

Economic Impact – The Maryland Aviation Administration had released the 2013 economic impact report reflecting 2012 data for all public use general aviation airports in Maryland. Below is a graphical depiction of the economic impact at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport.

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The following commercial services are provided at the airport:

AIRTEC, Inc. (FBO services & Hangar Leasing) - Since 1987 AIRTEC provides aircraft maintenance, line service, hangar rental, transit aircraft and aircraft fueling. AIRTEC is also an aviation and technology integration company that specializes in maritime radar surveillance, range safety, and airborne telemetry flight operations, priority air transport, ISR, AEA, safety, maintenance, training, equipment integration and sensor operation.

Chesapeake Aerial Imaging (Aerial photography) Chesapeake Aviation Services (Aircraft Maintenance Facility) D&P Testing – FAA Licensed Part 145 Repair Station for maintenance, preventative maintenance, inspection and alteration of aircraft. Piedmont Flight Center (Flight school) St. Mary’s Hangar Association, Inc. (Hangar Leasing)

Piedmont Flight Center is requesting approval to expand their own aircraft inspection services to other aircraft owners based at the airport. The Committee has endorsed the proposal. The lease modifications are in process as a result of the Public Notice issued on September 04, 2013. The County issued a General Permit for FAA Part 145 Repair Station services to D&P Testing, Inc. on January 04, 2014 as a result of the Public Notice issued on September 04, 2013. S. Hunt Aero, LLC, submitted to the County a development review proposal in April 2013 to develop 77 general aviation hangars, 7 commercial hangars, four office/R&D buildings totaling 42,400 square feet and four production facilities totaling 41,850 square feet. The Committee endorsed the concept plan on February 25, 2013 and the updated proposal received as a result of the Public Notice issued on September 04, 2013. AIRTEC, Inc. submitted to the County a proposal to expand its operation to provide aeronautical services to the general public. The proposal seeks to lease the County hangar to handle larger and future air vehicles. The County is collecting and weighing all options to accommodate this proposal. Community Outreach – (a) On June 15, 2013 the Experimental Aircraft Association

sponsored their Young Eagles Rally at the St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. The weather was favorable, and 72 youth, ages 8-17, received a free airplane ride. 17 pilots volunteered their aircraft, and three of the volunteers were from other EAA chapters who flew into our airport for the first time. The local Civil Air Patrol squadron provided ground support and flight line safety. (b) The County maintains a link for airport tenants on its website at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/2W6Users/ . The

users group is an opportunity to share thoughts, suggestions and concerns about the airport and to disseminate important information to airport users. The group has grown

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to 126 members as of January 2014. (c) The local 124 member Civil Air Patrol squadron based at St. Mary’s County Regional airport, the largest squadron in the State of Maryland and has earned the distinction of being the wing squadron of the year in 2012 and 2013. The squadron flew over 75 hours supporting orientation flights for cadets in the tri-county region encompassing 5 units. The state and region cadet of the year came from St. Mary’s County. In 2013, the local squadron flew over 200 mission flight hours tasked by the Air Force Rescue and Recovery Center (AFRCC) supporting search and rescue missions as well as damage assessment missions for most of the hurricanes in the area. The cadets were instrumental in the successful execution of the 2013 Disaster Preparedness Drill.

(d) Nalls Aviation is an especially noteworthy aerobatic team at St. Mary’s County Regional airport. Art Nalls holds the distinct honor of owning and operating the world’s only civilian AV-8A Sea Harrier jet and has been recognized by the Washington Post, Classic Aircraft magazine, Aeroplane Monthly and Jets Monthly publications. The Harrier team consists of up to 28 local county residents who maintain the aircraft during the

busy national airshow season. On November 01, 2013, the Maryland State Police Trooper 7 Division and Nalls Aviation hosted seven Leonardtown Middle School Sail Program students. (e) The JAM Project, a Washington D.C based company, conducted a short film production at the airport and County hangar in December 2013. The JAM Project specializes in choreography and dance, instruction, music editing and video production workshops, owned by Justin Myles and Mark Osborne. The production “Gravity” was produced including tap dancing, aerial photography and aircraft based at the airport. The AOPA published this production spotlighting general aviation at local airports.

Annual Budgeting – (a) The draft FY2015 Capital Budget Master Plan Improvements includes $2,608,000 to relocate Airport Road in accordance with FAA standards and extend Taxiway ‘A’ to the end of runway 29. FY2015 funding also covers $250,000 in land acquisition to support aviation easements to protect the runway approaches. FAA funding is 90% with the State and County providing 5% each. Since 1978, the Federal and State Aviation Administrations have funded approximately 22 projects at the St. Mary’s County Regional Airport in excess of $9.37 million.

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$-

$1

$2

$3

$4

$5

$(Million)

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Fiscal Year

Master Capital Improvement Plan

Federal Funding

State Funding

County Funding

(b) The draft FY2015 Capital Budget also includes $127,000 pavement maintenance of aprons, lighting improvements and an update to the Wildlife Hazard Management Plan. (c) Although the airport is not operated as a cost center, reported expenses for FY2013 totaled $101,783 consisting of $56,617 on facility maintenance/utilities, $21,056 for navigational aids and lighting, $6,160 for insurance and $17,950 for grounds maintenance. Reported revenues totaled $61,000 consisting of tie-down and hangar rentals, office space rent and fuel sales. This represents an overall expense level above revenues of $40,783 ($41K).

Airspace Protection & Encroachment – The Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance Chapter 43 provisions with respect to Airport Environment and Tower installations implemented by the Board of County Commissioners has served the Airport well by preventing penetrations to FAR Part 77 surfaces and preserving airport approach minimums. In CY2013, the DPW&T reviewed and commented on a total of 16 development review proposals that had no direct impacts on the airport but required notes on the record plat to record the public’s airspace rights and owner’s responsibilities to avoid creating obstructions.

Airport Capacity – There continues to be a shortage of aircraft parking and storage

facilities at the airport (a) The FAA’s National Based Aircraft Inventory was updated in January March 2014 to assist the Federal Aviation Administration is administering its various national airspace planning programs. The data update ensures that all planes are accounted for by location and tail number and is a requirement for receiving continued

Federal and State funding. Based aircraft totals for the last five years are indicated below. As of February 18, 2014, 184 total aircraft are recorded in the inventory; 173 fixed wing, 7 rotary wing, and 4 gliders. This represents 100% of the current based aircraft capacity at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. (b) In 2012, the County added five (5) additional aircraft tie down spaces to the airport property, all of which are leased to aircraft owners. This brings the total available space to 63 tie-down spaces and 127 hangar spaces. The waiting list, as of December 2013,

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contains 70 requests for T-hangar space, 3 corporate hangar requests, and 5 requests for tie-down space.

0

50

100

150

200

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

Calendar Year

Airport Capacity

Based Aircraft

Waiting List

Operational Data - Operations for both transient and locally-based aircraft are indicated on the following graphic. Each take-off and landing is considered a separate aviation-related operation. 2013 estimates are based upon MAA acoustical sensor study provided March 06, 2014. Annual operations were estimated at 36,293 with a 95% confidence interval of 5,877. Due to glider and rotary wing operations, MAA recommends that the County use the higher end of the confidence interval. Therefore, adding 95% of the confidence interval (5,583) to the base number (36.293) yields a total estimate of 41,876. Historical trends indicate a 60/40 split between based and transient operations, yielding 25,126 and 16,750, respectively.

0

20000

40000

Op

era

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ns

2010 2011 2012 2013

Calendar Year

Operational data

Based Aircraft

Transient Aircraft

Total

Rotary Wing Support - (a) The Maryland State Police Aviation Command continues

to provide critical community services through Trooper 7 located at the airport. Trooper 7 has begun transitioning to the new Agusta AW-139 helicopter. Once deployed in CY2014, the facility at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport will service as a training sight for all MSP aircrews According to the Aviation Command, Trooper 7 flew 415 medevac, 30 search and rescue, and 30 law enforcement missions out of the airport

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in calendar year 2013. Trooper 7 continues to enhance airport security by providing a continuous law enforcement presence.

(b) Med STAR Transport, a non-profit service based out of Med STAR Washington Hospital Center, provides enhanced response times to better assist critical care patients in the Southern Maryland region. According to their Director of Operations, Med STAR flew 460 missions out of the airport in 2013.

Navigational Aids - (a) The Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) passed a thorough FAA annual field inspection on October 22, 2013. The MAA continues to fund the AWOS connectivity to the national FAA weather database. (b) In cooperation with air traffic control at NAS Patuxent River, the AWOS announcements was enhanced with a detailed remark regarding military aircraft traffic in close proximity to the airport. This has served

to increase safety awareness among the flying community that would help prevent midair collisions. (c) The committee continues to monitor the FAA’s role in recommending VHF Omni-directional Radio (VOR) navigation station closures at Nottingham and Sea Isle that may impact airway navigation for pilots at St. Mary’s County Regional Airport. Recent changes to the GPS approaches have included tower obstructions recently constructed near the airport. Airport Rules, Regulations, and Minimum Standards -The committee had

developed a final draft of the updated Airport Rules and Minimum Standards. The MAA and FAA have reviewed the draft with no comments. The draft was reviewed by the County Attorney which is part of the formal process of updating the County Ordinance. The rules and minimum standards were made public at the AAC October meeting upon request by the public.

Numerous written comments have been received from the public and will be cataloged and submitted to the County in 2014. The County will implement these new procedures after public comment and hearings into the Airport Rules and Minimum Standards. The Committee will monitor the final process through completion.

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CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED OR EXPECTED

The Advisory Committee recognizes the challenges faced by the Board of County Commissioners and the DPW&T Director, especially with only limited financial resources and staffing available. The Committee will search for ways to increase both a revenue stream and a means to recognize and enhance the economic value of the airport.

The Advisory Committee recognizes the unique operational demographics of the airport when attempting to write appropriate rules and minimum standards. The committee will

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continue to engage the airport public, monitor and make recommendations to the County on necessary changes needed to bring those standards up to date and be aligned with the actual airport requirements.

Continued monitoring of development within the Airport Environs and in the vicinity of the airport property to provide sound technical recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners in order to protect the County’s and the FAA’s substantial investment in this important public asset.

Work with the Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD) to understand and address the economic viability, diversity in services provided, and improving the marketing of the Airport as a regional asset for all of Southern Maryland. RECOMMENDED PLANS FOR THE FUTURE

The Committee fully supports the goals and objectives of the 2002 Airport Master Plan and is pleased to see that some of the projects are completed such as wetlands mitigation and engineering efforts for Airport Road and Lawrence Hayden Road relocation. The Committee is eager to see continued strong effort and evidence of progress to bring the major projects, the taxiway relocation and runway extension, to completion within the next five years. It has been 12 years since the Airport Master Plan has been updated. The committee recommends that an updated Master Plan be developed to account for and address the county and NAS Patuxent River growth.

Work with DECD to explore opportunities for complimentary uses for the County-owned North Parcel, adjacent to the industrial park, to include a separate taxiway access to the Airport as described in the original feasibility study for the North Parcel Development. Growth should be aviation-related and have direct benefit to the airport.

The Committee has reviewed and concurs with the Airport Operations action items that have been integrated with the Department of Public Works & Transportation’s Strategic Plan. The Committee will continue to monitor and address these issues as presented for recommendation and/or action. Specific Action Items of particular interest to the Committee are as follows:

Develop an Airport Business/Finance Plan that is integrated with the Airport Master Plan and in conjunction with the DECD. As the County deals with growth, budget challenges, and FAA requirements, it is essential the County has a vision on how to manage this essential resource.

Once the runway is extended, “open” up the southwestern portion of the airport for development by extending water and sewer with County funding resources as shown in the capital improvement plan.

Synchronize the planning and construction of the Lawrence Hayden Road relocation project with the County-wide Transportation Plan and other development on the area, to ensure consistency.

Work with the Public Safety Director to provide annual updates of the disaster preparedness plan. Ensure increased safety for pilots, aircraft, persons and properties through the review and update of existing safety processes. Pursue and obtain all required navigation and obstruction removal easements.

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Establish an Airport Operation Manual in CY2015 and define appropriate airport management practices.

Track and monitor new activities on the airfield to ensure they are conducted with all notifications, permits, and notice. Streamline the process of allowing new businesses to operate on the airfield in a timely manner.

Evaluate other similar general aviation airfields and develop a listing of benchmarks and/or operational performance measures to guide economic development contributions of the airport. Evaluate aeronautical charges, non-aeronautical concession revenues, operating and maintenance costs, facility leases and tie down fees and quality of services for possible revenue enhancement recommendation(s).

The Committee will continue to work with the County and the Fixed Based Operator to evaluate and provide recommendations on the Airport Layout Plan, identify additional areas for tie-down spaces and consolidate parking areas where available in order to meet current and future demand.

AAC MEMBER LISTING (JAN 2014) Jacque LaValle, Chairman Ray Bednarcik, Vice Chairman Dan Van Orden, Secretary Erik Anderson Vernon Gray Regan Hanson Rich Richardson Alternate: Terry Adair