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July 2011 Reporting Points from the Salina Airport Authority


SLN Airport Reporting Points
July 2011
In This Issue
<< Hundreds turn out for AAR Career & Networking Fair at Salina Airport
>> Moody's assigns rating to SAA
<< Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range to host Open House to thank Local Community
>> CAV displays FIKI, Float combo
<< Salina kids fly free all summer long
>> Ft Riley CAB adopts Salina schools as part of Army Adopt-A-School Program
<< Aviation bachelor's degree options soar at K-State
>> Lift

In the Spotlight


Scheele

The Salina Airport Authority welcomed Kristin Scheele to the team in January as a public affairs and communications intern.

Scheele, a recent graduate of Kansas State University Salina has been working part-time at the Authority since May. She continues to create several marketing pieces for the Authority that have been viewed on local and national levels.

"It has always been a dream of mine to see my work published and viewed by thousands of people," said Scheele. "My dreams are coming true. I have a feeling this is just the beginning."

Scheele started her quest to further her education in the professional pilot program at K-State Salina in the fall of 2007. Once she received her instrument rating, she decided to follow her passion for photography and design.

Some of Scheele's accomplishments while at the Authority include a national SAFECON ad, local marketing materials, publications in the local paper, and marketing materials at the 2011 Paris Air Show.

"I love the Salina Airport Authority, they have become my family," she said. "They allow me to grow as a person, develop as a professional and be a part of once in a lifetime experiences. Thank you to the Authority staff for making my time at the airport a world class experience."

Tower UpdatesControl Tower

  • Two new tower employees will be arriving soon. One is coming from Cheyenne, Wyoming Tower, and one is a retired FAA controller from Wichita. Blake Hanson will be here on August 1 and Don Thompson will start on August 15. Jo and Tim Morrison are leaving for Salt Lake City where Jo will work in the tower and Tim will be employed at the Approach Control facility. We have enjoyed working with them and wish them good luck with their new FAA career.

  • We at the tower encountered an emergency Thursday and Friday not related to air traffic. Our cab air conditioner went out. We recorded 99 degrees in the tower Thursday and Friday. If we sounded grouchy on those days, we are sorry but it was difficult to cope with the heat. Thanks to FAA for staying on the problem until it was fixed. For unknown reasons, I found a lot of work that needed to be done in the office!

  • If you are making a touch and go or a stop and go in a small aircraft following a large aircraft in the traffic pattern, you will hear the controller instruct you to "maintain visual separation" from the traffic in addition to issuing a wake turbulence advisory. Telling a VFR pilot to maintain visual separation from another aircraft sounds like odd phraseology to use. Previously, the phase has been mostly associated with IFR traffic. My point is that if you hear the controller say "maintain visual separation" now, he is complying with the new procedures.

Thank You,

Bruce M. Boyle

Manager, KSLN FCT

On the Flightline

Harrier


A Marine Corps Harrier stops for fuel at America Jet at KSLN.

Control TowerCongratulations

Josh Muller,

Kevin Peterson

&

Michael McIrvin!

You won $50 off your next flight on SeaPort Airlines!

To enter drop your business card in the bowl at the SeaPort Airlines Counter.


SeaPort

SeaPort AirlinesControl Tower

PC-12 interior.

At comparable prices, if you could cut your travel time in half, and not have the general hassles of the full airport experience, wouldn't you do it? Hassle free, convenient, affordable, and most importantly-FAST. This is a new option in business and leisure travel.

SeaPort offers daily scheduled flights in the Northwest and Mid-South like the old airlines, but with a notable absence of what makes flying today slow and miserable. How?

  • No TSA hassles at any of our locations.
  • Affordable fares.
  • Our own private terminals.
  • Arrive 15 minutes before your flight, even with check-in bags.
  • Free airport parking. (Mandatory Valet in Portland)
  • Complimentary shuttle service to and from the main terminal in Portland, Memphis & Kansas City.

Commercial air travel in today's climate is difficult at best. The airports are becoming more crowded, have longer lines and with the tighter budgets, speed and convenience seem like a thing of the past. Until now.

The way travel was meant to be, with all the conveniences of private air travel, but without the big price tag. Isn't it about time?

PC-12

Wings Over Salina

Donate Today



Quick Links
Salina Airport Authority
Contact InfoWing graphic
Melissa McCoy
Public Affairs & Communications
Salina Airport Authority
Office: 785.827.3914
Fax: 785.827.2221
www.salinaairport.com

From the XD's desk:

Congress leaves FAA & Airports Up in the Air

The U.S. Congress has failed to pass legislation to keep our nation's only high speed, mass transit system funded and operating with proper management. Members of Congress left Washington, DC for a summer recess without at least passing a continuing resolution that would keep aviation user fees and Federal Aviation Administration programs in place. Since 2007, Congress has passed 20 extensions of the FAA's authorization legislation over the past four years. Apparently, a 21st extension was too much for Congressional leadership to handle.

Failure to pass a 21st extension will result in a month long shut down of the FAA. An estimated $200 million in aviation user fees per week are being lost (the nation's airlines did not lower fares when the ticket tax expired, they are pocketing the amount equal to the expired tax) resulting in the shutdown of current a future airport improvement projects.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker of the House John Boehner should recall the members of Congress to Washington, DC during the August recess and settle the FAA Reauthorization issue. Congress should not have recessed this week before taking action to keep the nation's air transport system running safely and efficiently.

Tim Rogers, A.A.E.
Executive Director

Hundreds turn out for AAR Career & Networking Fair at Salina Airport

The Associated Press

AAR

Hundreds of job seekers have applied for work with AAR Aircraft Services, even before the company has officially decided whether it will expand its operations to Salina.

The aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul business is expected to decide in August or September whether it will expand to Salina. It is considering moving into facilities currently used by Hawker Beechcraft, the Wichita airplane maker that plans to close its Salina operation by the end of February.

Mike Boswell, 67, of Salina, was among at least 240 people who filled out applications with AAR Aircraft Services at a job fair Monday. The company hopes to have more than 500 applicants by the time the job fair ends Tuesday.

Boswell, who was laid off in September after 15 years at Hawker Beechcraft, said it would be good for him and the community if AAR came to Salina.

"This is really what we need here, with the airport and runway," he said. "There's a lot of good workers here."

AAR Aircraft said if it moves to Salina, it would lease one hangar and could eventually expand to a second hanger with a connecting building between.

The decision will come after AAR secures a maintenance contract with Pinnacle Airlines, said Anita Brown, AAR's senior human resources manager.

"Once they have work solidified, then we will come back in August or September, conduct interviews, and make offers," Brown told the Salina Journal.

After that, the company would obtain equipment and set up for a February 2012 start of operations, she said.

Greg Dellinger, AAR's director of recruiting, wouldn't say how many jobs might be offered but told the Journal it takes 75 to 100 for a maintenance line.

AAR, a nearly $1.8 billion company, employs about 6,500 people in 60 locations in 13 countries. It grew 35 percent in the past year, he said.

Salina's decision to build a $7 million hangar at the airport helps the city's bid, Dellinger said.

"If they hadn't pulled the trigger and took the collective risk, we wouldn't be here," he said. "That's a testimony of the spirit of Salina to build something for its economic well-being."

Moody's assigns rating to SAA

Moody's


Moody's Investors Service has assigned an Aa2 rating to the Salina Airport Authority's $11.9 million Taxable General Obligation Bonds Series 2011-A and $2.5 million General Obligation Bonds Series 2011-B. The Aa2 rating applies to the Authority's outstanding general obligation unlimited tax-backed debt of $12.9 million.

"Moody's reaffirming and assigning the Aa2 credit rating for the Salina Airport Authority is something we are proud to report," said Jeff Thompson, Board president. "The Moody's rating is confirmation to Salina citizens and municipal investors that the Salina Airport Authority is financially strong."

Read on...

Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range to host Open House to thank Local Community

Flyer

Military aircraft will take to the sky for aerial gunnery demonstrations and public displays Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range.

Saturday's events serve to recognize local support of the training missions taking place at Smoky Hill.

Gates will open to the public at 8 a.m. with flying activities beginning at approximately 10 a.m. The aerial displays are tentatively scheduled to include the following aircraft: A-10 Thunderbolt, F-16 Fighter Jet, B-1 Bomber and B-52 Bomber. An AH-64 Apache helicopter will be on static display.

Entrance is free; food and refreshments will be available for purchase. Visitors are welcome to bring in coolers. However, no alcohol is permitted on the premises. Lawn chairs are encouraged as seating will not be provided.

Read on...

CAV displays FIKI, Float combo

CAVAviators very seldom will be flying in ice one minute and landing on water the next, but at Oshkosh AirVenture 2011 CAV Aerospace is exhibiting a Cessna Caravan with the unique dual capability to do both.

The Cessna Caravan is already a very talented turboprop. With floats it covers just about any amphibious mission, from fishing in forested mountain streams to landing in Gulf Stream waters. With the added capability of flight into known icing with the TKS ice protection system, the venerable turboprop with floats gains yet another dimension.

"I haven't seen another like it," says CAV Aerospace President Kevin Hawley. "It stands out even here at Oshkosh, a gathering known for one of a kind airplanes. We are delighted to be able to add to its capabilities even further with the addition of TKS flight into know icing."

Read on...

Salina kids fly free all summer

Kids Fly Free

Click for PDF

Preparing for your summer trip? Why drive when you can fly the kids for free?

SeaPort Airlines announces the launch of a new summer program, Salina Kids Fly Free! From June 21 to Sept. 30 children 14 and under are eligible to fly free with an accompanying adult* when traveling between Salina, Kan. and Kansas City, Mo.

"SeaPort is always looking for ways to become even better partners with the communities we serve. Providing the opportunity for kids to fly free for the summer is a way to help make air travel from Salina even more affordable," says Rob McKinney, president, SeaPort Airlines.

Read on...

Ft Riley CAB adopts Salina schools as part of Army Adopt-A-School Program

Fort Riley's Combat Aviation Brigade has adopted five schools in Salina to participate in the Army's Adopt-A-School Program. They are Kansas Wesleyan University, St. John's Military School, Stewart Elementary, Schilling Elementary and Sunset Elementary.

SMAC

The Adopt-A-School Program is an initiative to further the success of the Army Community Covenant, which Saline County signed in August 2010 with the Combat Aviation Brigade. The covenant enables brigade and battalion commanders to provide communities in the Flint Hills Region with a unique understanding of their Division and Army Post and allows the community to give back to the soldiers. This effort was developed in recognition of the fact that the majority of American's today do not have a family member associated with the military.

The mission of the Adopt-A-School program is for the soldiers to routinely contribute military resources and services to schools in order to nurture the intellectual, emotional and physical growth of children. Through interaction with positive role models, the program helps ensure children succeed and live their dreams. A few of the ways a soldier may volunteer his or her time is by tutoring, coaching, serving as a test proctor, guest speaker, participating in field trips or school programs.

"Salina is a community that values partnerships and at USD 305 we're looking forward to partnering with the Fort Riley Combat Aviation Brigade," said Bill Hall, USD 305 Superintendent. "By bringing students and soldiers together in a positive way, the gains from this partnership will be shared by the USD 305 students, soldiers, and their families. We appreciate this opportunity made possible through the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce."

Read on...

Aviation bachelor's degree options soar at K-State

Aviation education is taking off at Kansas State University Salina this fall, with new bachelor's degree options.

Four new bachelor's degree options are being added: unmanned aircraft systems, avionics, airport management and air traffic control. The university already offers bachelor's degrees in professional pilot and aviation maintenance.

The new degree options came about from the growth of the certificate programs K-State already offered in those areas, according to Kurt Barnhart, head of the department of aviation.

Avionics"Expanding the certificate programs into full bachelor's degree programs equips our students for the demands of the industry and allows them more options when pursuing a career in aviation," Barnhart said.

Read on...

Lift

I feel about the airplane much as I do in regard to fire. That is, I regret all the terrible damage caused by fire. But I think it is good for the human race that someone discovered how to start fires, and that it is possible to put fire to thousands of important uses.

- Orville Wright, asked during WWII if he ever regretted being involved in the invention of the airplane.

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