Based on an update from the National Weather Service issued Wed, Jan-27, we anticipate an appreciable accumulation of ice on the pavement at RVS on 1/28/10, followed by some accumulation of snow through midday on 1/29/10.
We will attempt to keep the pavement in usable condition as long as we can. However, with the severe icing conditions that are expected, it is possible that at some point, even with the application of de-icing chemicals, the braking action may deteriorate to the extend that we are forced to close the field.
At no time, will we leave the field unattended, but will continue to monitor and improve the field conditions as the weather allows.
HELP needed on the Viewing area!
In February, some construction is slated to begin at the new viewing area off 91st street. The first phase will be to pour a concrete pad for the gazebo. Following the completion of the slab, an Eagle Scout has volunteered to paint a diagram of the airport on the slab.
We need your help on any or all of the following: * Cash donations. * Willing to supply labor (yourself or workers). * Willing to supply concrete. * Willing to supply materials
If you can help in any of these areas, please contact Jeff Hough immediately. JeffHough@cityoftulsa.org or (918) 838-5000
RVS 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan
A briefing was held at TUL on 01-27-2010 to review and solicit comments concerning the Five-Year Capital Improvement Plan for RVS. A link to the plan document is here: RVS Five-Year CIP FY2010-15 - Draft
One significant project in the plan is to extend and widen the crosswind runway. It covers multiple budget years and is comprised of items 5, 6, 7, 8 and 13 listed in the plan.
TAA is looking for comments from users/tenants to help provide justification to the FAA.
Tulsa Airport Authority PO Box 581838 Tulsa, OK 74158
Comments need to be submitted no later than February 5, 2010.
Title 1 - Revised Draft Document (01-12-2010)
The document below is the revised DRAFT of the proposed Title 1 document. In general, the Title 1 document outlines acceptable practices and uses at the airport, along with the associated penalties and fines if applicable.
We encourage you to reveiw this document and provide feedback to Jeff Hough ( JeffHough@CityofTulsa.org ). Deadline for comments is Feb 5th.
If you have a water tap, make sure you have a shut-off valve between the main water line and your hangar! If you don't, you need to get one installed!
Several hangar owners have had frozen/broken pipes. When discovered, the airport staff tries to turn off the water between the line tap and the hangar. Otherwise, water must be turned off for the entire section until repairs can be made.
Again, if you have a water tap, make sure you have a shutoff valve between the water line and your hangar.
Plowing snow and Snowbank height
We hope this information isn't needed again for this year, but with the amount of snow that accumulated over the Christmas Holidays, we had some problems with how the snow was banked when it was plowed.
FAA Advisory Circular (AC No: 150/2500-30C) dated 12/09/08 states that snowbank height should conform to the following:
At the edge of the taxiway, the snowbank height should not exceed 6". Measuring 16' from the edge of the taxiway, the snowbank should not exceed 2 feet in height. Thirty-two feet from the taxiway edge, the snowbank height should not exceed five feet.
If you have independent contractors plow snow around your hangar, please make sure they conform to these requirements.
Say goodbye to Loran-C
The U.S. Coast Guard gave notice Jan. 7 that it will start decommissioning the long range navigation (loran-C) system beginning Feb. 8.
All loran stations will cease transmission by Oct. 1, according to the notice. While loran-C is not now widely used for navigation, government and independent agencies have recommended using an enhanced version of it, eLoran, as a national backup system for GPS. The termination of loran will leave the country without a single national backup system in the event of a GPS outage.
According to the Office of Management and Budget, shutting down loran-C will save $36 million in fiscal 2010 and $190 million over five years.
Paper Airman Certificates No Longer Valid After March 31, 2010
A little less than two years ago, the FAA announced that it would be replacing all paper airman certificates with plastic certificate that will be much more difficult to counterfeit. The deadline for replacing that certificate is approaching fast.The changes were made in response to concerns raised in the FAA Drug Enforcement Assistance Act. The purpose of this rule is to upgrade the quality of data and documents to assist federal, state, and local agencies to enforce the nation's drug laws.
The FAA reminds pilots that they will not be able to exercise flying priveleges using an old paper certificate after March 31st, 2010, except for a temporary certificate issued under 61.17 or a student pilot certificate issued under paragraph (b) of CFR 61.19 (h). Note: Certificates issued under 14 CFR Part 63 and 65 will expire March 31, 2013.
There are two ways to replace an airmen certificate. You can request a replacement certificate online, which requires that you register with Online Services.Or you can mail an Application for Replacement of Lost, Destroyed, or Paper Airman Certificate form OR a signed, written request stating your:
- Name - Date and Place of Birth - Social security number and/or Certificate number - The Reason you need the replacement - You must include a check or money order for $2, made payable to FAA, for each certificate you request.
FAA Warns About Ice, Snow and Slush as Winter Approaches
Even small amounts of this stuff affects aircraft performance.
Winter officially began Dec-21st, but there has already been snow in the upper midwest and the Texas Panhandle so the time to begin planning for winter flying is now. To that end, the FAA has issued an Information for Operators (INfO) advisory focusing on small accumulations of ice, snow, frost, and slush on aircraft surfaces, and their effect on aircraft performance.
The circular states that, despite FAA and industry publications cautioning pilots on the adverse affects that small amounts of contamination can have on the aerodynamic performance and control of aircraft, aircraft accidents and fatalities continue to be attributed to this cause. Some pilots and operators still mistakenly believe that aircraft are safe to fly with small amounts of frost or other contaminants adhering to the aerodynamic and/or control surfaces. Additionally some operators and pilots mistakenly believe that contamination that is not on or near the leading edge of the aerodynamic surface (e.g., the upper surface of the wing) is not a factor.
According to the advisory, accident investigations, follow-up research, and experience show that even very small amounts of frost, snow, ice, or slush on the aerodynamic and/or control surfaces of the aircraft can cause significant loss in lift and flight control capability. These very small amounts of contamination disrupt the smooth airflow over the airfoil surface and cause loss of lift or effectiveness of control surfaces. In several fatal accidents this loss of lift and controllability was not apparent until the aircraft climbed out of ground effect; at that time the aircraft began un-commanded roll and/or pitch movements from which the pilot could not recover. Any amount of contamination, no matter how spotty or thin in feel and sight, nor its location, must be removed from all aerodynamic and control surfaces prior to flight.
Currently the best way to detect small amounts of contamination is by looking at, and touching the surfaces. One way to detect frost, snow, or ice is to test by scraping a fingernail or a similar implement across the aircraft airfoil surfaces. Consider the airfoil contaminated and remove the contamination prior to flight if any portion of the surface looks or feels any different than it does when it is dry, or when wet on an above freezing day. When testing, consider that what might appear to be very small spots of contamination well aft of the leading edge of the airfoil surface can magnify separation of the smooth airflow over the airfoil surface. It must be removed prior to flight. Even the feel or appearance similar to ultra fine sandpaper on the airfoil is not acceptable.
The FAA recommends that directors of safety, directors of operations, and aviation instructors ensure that their pilots and students understand that even small amounts of contamination can adversely affect the aerodynamic and control capability of the aircraft. They should emphasize the best practices for detecting small or thin amounts of contamination on the aircraft they operate.
Pilots should become familiar with the appearance and feel of their aircraft's aerodynamic and control surfaces when dry and just wet so they have a reference to use as a baseline when checking for contamination. When conditions favor frost development and/or ground icing, pilots should be alert for small and/or thin amounts of contamination on the aerodynamic and flight control surfaces. Aircraft operating procedures should clearly convey that any and all frost, snow, ice, and slush contamination, no matter how spotty or thin, must be completely removed prior to flight.
Safe Flying!!!!!
Show your support for Riverside Airport "PERMANENTLY"
Here is an opportunity to enhance our airport and permanently show your support for Riverside Airport. Also, with the Christmas season approaching, this would be and excellent gift for those "hard to buy" family and friends.
Here is the link that gives you more information about "GA Serves America"... and a link for you to write your own story about how general aviation has played a roll for you and your company/family and community.
Please take the time to read about it and write it when you can.... Each of you has a great story to share, and its invaluable information to the policy makers across the nation.
Runway 1L Middle Marker has been decommissioned at KRVS
On 10/07/2009, the FAA notified the TAA that they have decommissioned the middle marker for Runway 1L at Richard Lloyd Jones, Jr. Airport effective 10/4/09. The FAA further advised that this change will not reduce the instrument approach minimums. The FAA made this change as a cost saving measure that will reduce their maintenance costs.
It is always a good practice to check NOTAMS...... FREQUENTLY.
For additions or corrections, please send an e-mail to webmaster@jraa.org
