#AirportAuthority to work with Autocross to submit plan to #FAA With the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority now back in business, they have unanimously agreed to revisit the idea of hosting the National Road Autocross on airport property. The PHAA decision earlier this year to not allow the autocross to hold its motorsports event at the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport for the first time in ten years touched off a firestorm of debate and hard feelings which has lasted for several months. With the PHAA denying the request due to concern that non-aeronautical events at the airport could jeopardize Federal Aviation Administration funding for the upcoming runway renovation project, supporters of the autocross have said their events would not, nor have they ever, restricted air traffic at the facility. Thursday, NRA president John Felton appeared before the Airport Authority, asking them to support the submission of an event plan and safety plan to the FAA to see if the regulatory body considers the autocross a danger to future funding. The reason were being so persistent isnt that were making a penny on this, but we see its been beneficial to the community, he said. According to a release issued by the NRA in September, the event would involve Taxiway A and B at the airport, and not require the closure of the airport to air traffic. In bringing the subject up Thursday, PHAA chair Dr. Gregg Wolff read the following prepared statement: Airports are facilities dedicated to aviation-related activity first and foremost. The PHAAs first priority is safe and efficient operation of this facility as an airport. Our fundamental goal, the instrument that has driven decision making for the last 14 years, is to complete our airport improvement plan and this board remains absolutely committed to it. This cannot happen without federal grant assurance funding. Calling the disagreement between the PHAA and the NRA a stalmate, Wolff proposed that the Airport Authority consider submitting an updated autocross event description, safety plan and necessary documentation to the FAA for review. The PHAA retains final authority as it relates to approving the event or any suggested modifications to it, since there are multiple concerns with the event, Wolff said. \He then cautioned the Autocross representatives that they would have to modify their operations in 2017 when construction begins on the runway, and Felton said that was understood. Wolff estimated the work would take at least four years to complete. He asked the NRA members to keep their minds open to new possibilities to work together with the PHAA to develop a long-range relocation plan to the mutual benefit of the airport and the autocross ... This event will absolutely need to be modified in the near future, so why not work on it now, he concluded.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 08:30:43 +0000
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