Airport considers runway length and strength

Plans for Truckee Tahoe Airport’s runways could impact local air traffic and noise — but exactly how is still being explored.

As needed maintenance and repair work for the airport’s runways approach, the airport district’s board of directors is considering saving money by either reducing runway length, reducing load-bearing capacity, or both.

Whether or not such measures would reduce air traffic or noise is still an unanswered question, said Mike Scott, assistant general manager for the airport district.

“Our engineer did a series of analysis on our jet population by maximum gross weight and takeoff length required,” Scott said. “But there may be unintended consequences — it’s not necessarily a shorter runway means fewer aircraft.”

Cooler temperatures make it easier for aircraft to take off, so there may be more activity in the morning and evening on a shorter strip, he said.

“Big aircraft can control their weight by reducing fuel, passengers, or luggage,” Scott said. “In some cases bigger aircraft with reduced weight can actually require less runway than smaller planes.”

Andrew Esler, a Ponderosa Palisades resident, said he doubted that the changes would reduce air traffic and noise over his neighborhood, but was in favor of limiting future growth.

“I would be happy to see bigger jets limited,” Esler said.

Bryan DeVoe, an Olympic Heights resident, said he would also favor the shortening or load-reduction at the airport.

“It would make some difference,” DeVoe said. “But at the same time they need to think about safety.”

After discussion on Feb. 28, the board decided to form an ad-hoc committee to explore the idea further, Scott said. The committee includes board members Bill Quesnel and Mary Hetherington.

Without the change, needed repairs on 1,500 to 2,000 feet of runway would cost more than $3 million, Scott said.

Federal Aviation Administration grant funding would pay for the bulk of the repairs, Scott said, likely followed by Caltrans funding.

But with the issue yet to be fully explored, and funding not yet secured, Scott said any work probably won’t happen this year.

“We’re looking at the cost-benefit of reducing length and capacity — not increasing it — looking at a mix of common aircraft affected, and we’ve identified uncertain impacts that need further analysis,” he said.

New ACAT appointments Three new members have been picked for the Airport Community Advisory Team — a public outreach group for Truckee Tahoe Airport. Robert Grossman has been selected to represent pilots, while Gaylan Larson has been re-appointed, and Andrew Terry will represent the non-pilots, said Mike Scott, assistant general manager for the Truckee-Tahoe Airport District. Tom Van Berkem, Wolfgang Dirks and Pat Northrop will also stay on as their terms have not expired.

How many operations does the Truckee Tahoe Airport have each year?

Approximately 35,000 operations occur each year. An operation is counted as either one takeoff or one landing.

Though there is not an automated count of operations, airport staff reported that in the “2006 Operations Report‚” 29 percent of operations were turbine or jet aircraft, 68 percent were piston aircraft, and 3 percent were helicopter. Additionally, about a third of all operations are performed by gliders and their tow planes between May and October.

Recent operations and business analysis indicates that about 60 percent of all activity and business occurs between late June and late September; the busiest week is in late September when the Reno Air Races are held. Though smaller, another peak due to the ski season is noticeable between Christmas and the end of March.

— truckeetahoeairport.com