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Local pilot has concerns about Kincardine Airport By Liz Dadson |
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Chris McCullough is concerned about the poor reputation of the Kincardine Airport. The local pilot and airport hangar owner came to Kincardine council Wednesday night (Oct. 5), asking the municipality to do something.
Chris McCullough "It appears the Kincardine Airport is not considered an airport of choice to fly to," he said. "This is due to the concerns of high fuel prices, a fuel system that is not reliable, and our reputation among aviators." He asked who is in charge of the airport, especially the day-to-day activities? "My understanding is that Evans Aviation has a signed contract stating it is responsible for complete maintenance, operations and services provided at the airport," said McCullough. "Is there a job description for municipal staff and the airport service provider, separating any overlap of their duties?" He noted that the treasury department is now doing work that Evans Aviation looked after three years ago. McCullough said that proposed changes to the fuel price will not change the existing price. Last month, council agreed to allow airport manager Blake Evans some leeway with fuel prices, permitting 30 cents above the wholesale price and a five-cent discretionary range. McCullough said the current fuel cardlock system is defective and needs to be completed under warranty and up to airport standards. "The new pricing and fuel system are needed to bring business/revenue back to the airport," he said. "This can be a pilot drawing card for Kincardine and bring tourism to the area. McCullough is concerned that he signed a lease in 2010 for a hangar, with the agreement that the municipality would complete the infrastructure taxiway Delta in the 2011 budget. "This has not been completed," he said. "The municipality was supposed to do its part but did not." He also wants to know what is being done with the proposed new door and frame for the municipal hangar (closest to Highway 21) at the airport. "The airport service provider is in the process of obtaining quotes to see if it is feasible to replace the skin and motor to bring the existing door up to today's standards instead of replacing it," he said. "The repair would be a financial saving to the airport versus purchasing a new door and frame. "We need a body in place to oversee the airport to answer these questions and make sure things are covered." Councillor Jacqueline Faubert asked how McCullough would rectify the problem. "I'd like council to look at putting in place a formal body, such as an airport committee or task force to provide oversight," said McCullough. "Would we be any more confident with a committee in place?" asked Faubert. "The current process has Evans Aviation bringing information directly to council and staff."
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Acting chief administrative officer Donna MacDougall said staff believed the problems with the fuel cardlock system at the airport had been remedied. However, it is still not working properly and Edward Fuels has been contacted to fix it. Mayor Larry Kraemer said council has given Evans the ability to grant some leeway for fuel prices to make the airport more competitive. "It's a very recent proposal so we'll have to see how it works," he said. Councillor Maureen Couture asked what staff is in charge of reports from the airport, and was told it used to be the chief administrative officer, but is now community services co-ordinator Steve Murray. Couture said more must be done to promote the airport, such as Fly-In Breakfasts. Kraemer said a successful ABC Gathering was held in the summer. "It was a great event and a good promotion of the airport and the municipality. And the money raised was donated to local organizations." Deputy mayor Anne Eadie said her concern is that this business be run properly. She said she had other issues that she would prefer to discuss in closed session because they pertain to personal matters about an identifiable individual. Councillor Ron Coristine said the current airport manager has a good understanding of the aviation industry and the regulations. But council needs to be clear with him about what's being done at the airport. "We don't need another layer of management at the airport," he said. "We just need to get the fuel prices and cardlock fuel system working properly. I'm disappointed that we are still fiddling around with that cardlock system, and it still has problems." Councillor Randy Roppel said that if the municipality is not prepared to maintain the airport infrastructure properly, then it should either close the airport or sell it. Councillor Candy Hewitt said the municipality does not run the airport, it sets policy and hires a manager to run the airport. "If things aren't working, we change our policies, but allow the staff to proceed with the day-to-day operations." Councillor Mike Leggett said the new council has completed a budget and now must discuss how to deal with the governance system it has in place, and whether it wants to reinstate committees or some other structure. "Everything on the list (from McCullough) would come to council anyway," said Kraemer. "Having an airport committee wouldn't change that. Chris (McCullough) was able to come directly to council with his concerns. We have given direction to our public works manager to look into paving the taxiways at the airport. Now, we have to look into these other concerns." "We set policy for the airport and we have a contractor managing the airport," said Coristine. "Now, we butt out of his job, and let him get the airport working properly." Scrolling stops when you move your mouse inside the scroll area. You can click on the ads for more
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