SU0007861 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

t { 421 Aviation Way Frederick, Maryland 21701 T. 301-695-2000 F. 301-695-2375 www.aopa.org April 3,2012 Mr. John Funderburg Principal Planner San Joaquin County Community Development'Depa anent Stockton, CA 95205 Dear Mr. Funderburg: The Aircraft Owners and PilotsAssociation(AOPA)is a not=for-profit individual membership organization of more than 400,000 pilots, AOPA's mission is to effectively serve the interests and needs of its.members as aircraft owners and pilots and establish,maintain, and articulate positions of leadership to promote'the economy, safety, utility,and popularity of flight in general aviation aircraft. Representing two tbirds.of all pilots.in the United States, AOPA is the-largest civil aviation organization in the world. In response to the Notice of Scoping Session for E-nvironmental Impact Report PA-0800.105 for the Expansion of the. Inc,Landfill Site AOPA wishes to submit tho.following concerns to be addressed in the HTR. Both concerns fail under the Land Use.section and relate to the landfill in relation to the Stockton Metropolitan Airport(SCIS). Of primary concern to AOPA and our members is the potential fox aft increase in bird activity near the expanded landfill that may result in bird strikes by aircraft and could result in significant property damage, injury and even loss of life. 'The new section of ilio landfill i$directly tinder the extended runway centerline and approach for Runway 29 at SCK. Despite actions taken to _ minimize bird strikes they still occur, 17 since.the beginning of 2010. We are concerned that the number of interactions between aircraft operating normally to the airport and birds attracted by the landfill will increase. We respectfully request that the Plaiuting Department give full consideration to that and consult With wildlife experts to determine the increased risk to aircraft and best possible mitigation practices consistent with Federal Aviation Administration and state guidelines and compatible land use criteria. Our other concern.is,thc potential impact the added acreage will have_on��instrument approaches to Runway 29. As you may bo aware,the PAA takes into account local terrain when they develop instrument approaches and apply a safety margin to ensure separation of aircrall and terrain, In general, torrain does not usually change but at a landfill, it is possible for it-to grow in height and in doing so decrease the safety margin, The h'AA then must raise the height that an aircraft can descend to over the terrain featiue and in doing so may make the approach useless AIRCRAFT OWNERS AND PILOTS ASSOCIATION