Four GA associations have joined forces to urge key members of the U.S. Senate to forgo legislation that could close St. Clair Municipal Airport (K39) near St. Louis, and instead follow established FAA procedures for the potential closure of airports that have accepted federal grants.
In a Sept. 16 letter, the aviation groups told U.S. Senators John D. Rockefeller IV (D-W.Va.) and John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman and ranking member of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, that a bill in their committee could improperly close the airport.
“As you know, this legislation would close the St. Clair Regional Airport, in St. Clair, Missouri,” the letter states. “As representatives of the general aviation community, we have serious concerns about closing and further limiting access to general aviation airports across the country, especially through legislation.”
Groups sending the letter include the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, the National Business Aviation Association and the National Air Transportation Association.
U.S. Senate Bill 2759 would, “release the City of St. Clair, Missouri, from all restrictions, conditions, and limitations on the use, encumbrance, conveyance, and closure of the St. Clair Regional Airport.” It was passed by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on a voice vote Wednesday and next will go before the full Senate.
The bill was introduced by Sen. Claire McCaskill, (D-Mo.). The City of St. Clair has sought to close the airport and make that land available for commercial development, according to news reports.
The FAA is conducting a review of the city’s request to close the field since the city has previously accepted FAA airport improvement funds. The airport has been in operation since 1965.
“There is already a process established by statute under the Airport Improvement Program Grant Assurances requirements for the closure of airports like St. Clair that have received federal funding,” the letter states. “The review of the St. Clair airport closure is already underway and we would respectfully request that the established FAA process move forward with a decision in a timely manner. It is our belief that this course will better balance the legitimate interests of the local community, aviation users, and the federal government.”
So the Senate has the time to pass this piece of trash but not the GAPPA ??? This bill is obviously intended to put some potentially valuable land into the hands of developers so they can make the big bucks to pay off the politicians. All over the country we see these developers salivating over these large tracts of open space isolated withing large city areas by Urban sprawl and it is probably one of the biggest threats to GA that exist. I wonder how much was paid/promised to these Senators to get this through ??? Of course GAPPA does not put money into the pockets of Congress so it’s priority is lower.
Ray,
It is best to avoid blaming one party or another for the attempts to close airports. It is simply a hollow argument that wins more enemies than friends. The bottom line is pressure from developers who see airports as empty real estate begging for development. And I doubt that the Democrats have any greater interest in development than Republicans or any other party.
If we are to win friends for our airports we need to appeal to all political parties and other organizations in our communities. We need to emphasize their value to the average citizens – relief in time of disasters, jobs, fast medical transport, low density open space that does not lead to congested roads, training of youth for aviation careers, etc.
Airport development schemes usually cook under the surface for years before bubbling to the surface, and usually take advantage of nonpolitical and media adverse local aviation communities whose members haven’t worked hard enough to win the hearts and minds of the local community members.
I have given many presentations about building support for local airports and I always end them with “The battle for your local airport begins all over again every day at dawn. So find a way to join with others in building a good pro-airport campaign and make sure it is conducted in a spirit of fun and camaraderie so everyone sticks with it!”
We are in trouble.
Face facts. The democrats will try any work around to close any airport. The EPA and leaded gas will be used next. And John Thune will violate any business common sense to support a favored group or a sacrifice trade as he did for agriculture.
What is coming is worse. Does anyone think that the democrats will not be happy with unleaded aviation fuel at $10 per gallon. Remember how they spent millions of the Navy operation budget on there bio jet fuel?
There is a war on general aviation because all us little people at the bottom do not deserve to own an airplane. All that money should help people in need regardless of their output. No airports, no avgas is the agenda.
Maybe off topic but your mention of the Navy being forced to buy bio-fuel from its operational budget is a prime example of the current administration squandering the Militaries budget for its Green agenda. Talk of the project provideing a source of fuel that is secure from forign suppliers is just BS. Other examples include buying up land for protection of supposedly threatened species and mandates to make large portions of their electrical power from renewable sources (wind, solar, etc). The Military budget should be spent on essential services and equipment and obtained at the best possible price period !!! It is no wonder that the Military is being forced to significantly cut its staffing, actually sending termination notices to troops actively deployed in combat areas. The military budget is not a cash cow for the Greenies !!!
OK enough of this line of thought and I am stepping off my soap box.