APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION: By Member Ron Reed, seconded by Member Wade Richmond, to accept the meeting minutes of November 29, 2001 as written. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

1. NOISE AND OPERATIONS REPORT/AIRPORT INCIDENTS

   • November/December 2001 to January 16, 2002
   • Public Comments on Individual Complaints

   Noise Complaints - There were six noise complaints: two were about helicopters, one in Fullerton, one in Anaheim; two complaints were about single engine planes in Fullerton; one complaint was about a twin engine plane in Fullerton; and one Fullerton resident complained about two planes from Air Combat, U.S.A. Manager Propst reported that noise complaint data for the same time frame last year was not available.

   Manager Propst said that he spoke with a woman interested in purchasing a home in the Amerige Heights development, but she was concerned about airport noise. He told her that the development was in the flight pattern and that she should expect noise from planes frequently, especially during the weekends. He said he anticipates many complaints from new residents in the development.

   Public Comments - No public comments on individual complaints were made.

   Operations - Operations were reported by Manager Propst as follows: November 2001 -- 7,152, November 2000 -- 6,723, and for the last 12 consecutive months -- 92,788. He commented that this is a surprising, but positive trend, especially after the events of September 11, 2001, and considering that the South Ramp Reconstruction is still underway.

   Plane Crash of January 5, 2002 - Manager Propst briefed the Committee on the recent fatal plane crash in Buena Park that occurred on Saturday, January 5, 2002. The pilot, he explained, had his aircraft and his business based at Fullerton. He showed photos of the crash site from a recent news article, a photo of a plane similar to the one that crashed, and explained the strength and weakness of the aircraft's capabilities. He described the event in detail, suggesting that the aircraft underwent a "classic approach turn stall" while preparing to land on Runway 6, and that the pilot was most likely killed on impact. He said he did not know what caused the plane to stall. He also explained that after the aircraft lost power, it made a 95 percent vertical dive into a vacant lot, in a residential area south of Commonwealth, west of Indiana, and near the Airport Hotel. He said that the pilot was alone in the plane, and no one on the ground was harmed. A small post-crash fire was extinguished quickly, and there was minimal property damage.

   He reported that he was at the crash site for over seven hours serving as a media spokesman. He told the committee that he noticed that relations have improved between emergency personnel from Buena Park and airport staff. He also explained the procedure he followed for unofficially notifying the deceased pilot's wife based on his past experiences, and why he follows this procedure; however, he stated that the County Coroner's office makes the official notification. In response to inquiry by Member Harris, he said that emergency crews had no problem finding the crash scene.

   He discussed the "Blue Sheet" that is given to pilots, which shows airport flight patterns, noise abatement procedures, and prohibitions.

   He stated that there have been four fatal mishaps since 1992, which includes one non-aviation fatality in 1994. Government statistics for calendar year 2000 showed that there were 1,835 general aviation accidents, for a rate of 5.96 accidents per 100,000 hours of flight time, which was down from 1,855 in 1997 at a rate of 7.2 per 100,000 hours. By the end of September 2001, there had been 1,377. In calendar year 2000 only 1.3 percent (592) of the 44,186 transportation fatalities occurred because of general aviation aircraft. He stated that he is sure auto fatalities are significantly higher.

   Responding to an inquiry by Member Harris, Manager Propst said that National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) staff arrived at the crash scene about 2:30 p.m. They did a thorough investigation and clean-up. He also stated that there has not been a documented bird strike for over two years, and there have been no reports of abnormal transitory water fowl.

   Manager Propst explained that he reviewed all airport safety procedures and determined that, operationally, all is being done as safely as possible.

   Responding to an inquiry by Member Leigh Jacobs, Manager Propst explained that for several days he responded to requests for information from the media about this crash. When asked about his response to anti-airport sentiment he told them that he has not heard of any from the public, rather it has come from the media.

2. AIRPORT MONTHLY SAFETY INSPECTION

   Monthly Safety Inspection for January 2002 - Member Ron Reed conducted the monthly safety inspection for January 2002. Manager Propst reported that he was certain that Senior Airport Service Worker Charlie Ferranti repaired the concrete footings that needed fill, which Member Jeff Harris reported on last inspection.

3. FAPA REPORT

   Manager Propst reported that Jim Bunck, President of FAPA said they responded to inaccurate media coverage of the plane crash. Manager Propst said that he recommended that Eric Carpenter, a reporter for the Orange County Register, meet with FAPA members to learn more about the many services they provide.

4. MANAGER'S AIRPORT UPDATE

   South Ramp Reconstruction - Manager Propst said that he anticipates that the project will be done in about six weeks. Master Plan Update - The Notice to Proceed has been issued to P & D Aviation. They will begin the inventory phase. A planning advisory committee will be formed to work with the consultants in the planning process.

   KFI Tower Strobe Lights - Manager Propst explained that the KFI engineer has decided not to install strobe lights on the antennae. The engineer said they are meeting the required safety standards, and that maintenance costs were prohibitive.

   Airport Budget - Manager Propst said that he is working on the current airport budget, which should not change much from last year's two year budget. He will make one major change, adding a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) to rehabilitate the northwest corner ramp. He wants to put in new asphalt. He said that there is $150,000 in government grant money available this year that he plans to use for the design work and for security enhancements, specifically to upgrade the gate card system. He said he would provide the Committee with budget information at the next meeting.

NEW BUSINESS

1. PROCEDURES FOR HOT REFUELING HELICOPTERS

   Manager Propst provided members with printed procedures for hot refueling helicopters from the airport's two Fixed Based Operators, General Aviation and Aviation Facilities, Inc. (AFI). He said that he discussed these procedures with the Fire Marshal who faxed him with a copy of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard. In summary, it lists common sense procedures and verifies that the procedure is legal. He commented that he does not think it is an unsafe process, but that occasionally it is prudent to reevaluate the procedures.

   Questions from Committee Members - Responding to Member Wade Richmond's inquiry, Manager Propst said that hot refueling occurs frequently, about 20 to 30 times a day, because of the location of the airport, and it is done mostly with hurried news helicopters.

   Responding to Member Jacobs, Manager Propst explained that the Master Plan update will include an assessment of the economic impact of the airport on the community, and a rates and charges assessment. He explained that there are two philosophies on rates and charges: 1) make as much money as is needed and 2) raise charges annually. He added that with $100,000 in contingency money, he does not think it has been necessary to raise rates and charges.

   Responding to Member Jacobs, Manager Propst explained that there are no FCC and FAA requirements to have strobe lights on the KFI Tower, but it is "good business" to do so, and it reduces their liability. He reported that in 1973 a plane did fly into the guy wires.

COMMENTS FROM THE COMMITTEE

There were no comments from the committee.

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

There were no comments from the public.

NEXT NOISE AND SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING

The next meeting will be Thursday, February 28, 2002.

ADJOURNMENT - 6:50 p.m.

Recorded by: Jackie Reinsvold, Administrative Secretary