From: "Bob Woods" Bob.Woods@state.tn.us
Cc: "Kim Keelor" Sent: Friday, January 13, 2006 2:20 PM
Subject: SAFE request ref McMinn County Airport
Mr Witt, My name is Robert Woods and I am the Director of the Aeronautics Division of the Department of Transportation. Your e-mail yesterday (Jan 12, 2006, to Ms Keelor, requesting information regarding the current airport improvement project at the McMinn County Airport, was forwarded to me for response.
Question 1. "S.A.F.E would like to know when the State of
Tennessee first recommended the closure of the new taxiway and the (no taxi)
closure of the north 640' of the new runway to McMinn County and who that
recommendation was made too" (sic).
Answer: After discussions with the
Federal Aviation Administration, the Tennessee Aeronautics Division received a
concurrence of opinion on a revision to the marking plan previously put in place
to alleviate the line of sight concerns. On Dec 20, 2005, Mr Johnson was
contacted by telephone and informed that a revision to the marking plan would be
developed and that it was this division's recommendation that the parallel
taxiway north of the connector A-5 be closed in addition to the north 640' of
runway.
Question 2. "S.A.F.E. would like to know what permanent
remedies are currently being considered by the Department of Transportation to
fix the line of sight problems, now that the temporary solutions are in place."
Answer: The McMinn County's consulting engineering firm
is currently developing and evaluating options that may include but not
necessarily limited to modifications of the present runway profile,
modifications of allowable Federal standards as well as operational
restrictions.
Question 3. "S.A.F.E. also asks to be kept informed as to
any future meetings held to discuss these issues."
Answer:
At the present time, to our knowledge, no dates have been set yet for future
meetings to discuss options identified for the permanent solution to this issue.
Please contact Mr. Robert Beene, McMinn County Engineer, as the County is the
owner of the airport and all meetings will be scheduled by them.
Robert Woods
Robert V. Woods Director Tennessee Aeronautics Division