AirTAP spring activities
The April issue of the Exchange included an article about AirTAP, a new program CTS is administering in partnership with Mn/DOT Aeronautics and the Minnesota Council of Airports (MCOA). AirTAP is a statewide assistance program for aviation personnel developed to offer practical instruction by knowledgeable and experienced trainers, as well as a range of helpful information, materials, and resources.
The first AirTAP training sessions, covering airport pavement maintenance, were offered in Rochester, Willmar, and Duluth. Attendees included airport maintenance personnel, engineers, and managers. This course offered information about pavement distress identification and rehabilitation, but was specifically targeted at airport loading conditions, specifications, typical materials, safety, and operations. Based on the positive feedback received, the pavement maintenance course may be offered on an ongoing basis. Watch the Exchange for future dates and locations.
AirTAP also sponsored sessions at the MCOA Aviation Symposium in April. Jeff Stewart from WSB & Associates moderated a panel discussion on "Marketing Your Airport." Panelists Brian Rycks from St. Cloud Airport, Glenn Burke from South St. Paul Airport, and Tom Drake from Red Wing Airport provided diverse ideas about marketing an airport to the community as a valuable resource, as well as to businesses and users. Attendees were provided with a packet of information summarizing the presentations.
Cheri Marti of CTS presented a session about AirTAP needs and accomplishments to date. During this general AirTAP session, participants contributed ideas for a vision for AirTAP and what they would like to see it become in the next three years. Identified priorities for potential future programs include airport lighting and inspection, ice and snow control, equipment maintenance and purchasing, rate and charge setting, marketing and economic development, and development of an airport manager's networking group.
A four-part program on project funding and development was offered through AirTAP this spring. The four sessions were: "Airport Funding—A State and National Perspective," "How Do I Go About Doing an Airport Project?", "Revenue Generation," and "Hiring a Consultant/Project Management."
These sessions were designed to complement the general aviation entitlement sessions that Mn/DOT Aeronautics presented. A concerted effort was made to provide sessions around the state, and they were held in Bemidji, Rochester, St. Cloud, Willmar, Brainerd, and Mankato. Attendees were airport managers, consultants, and board members or decision makers.
All materials developed to date, including a summary of airport pavement maintenance issues, the project funding and development notebook, and highlights from the material presented at the four-part project funding series, will be made available through the AirTAP program later this fall. An AirTAP web page is also under development. For additional information about AirTAP and upcoming program offerings, call Cheri Marti, AirTAP director, at 612-625-5829, or Jeff Stewart, project consultant with WSB, at 763-287-7184.
— Ann Johnson