07/28/82 Buley/Request for InformationU.S. Department
of Transportation
Federal Aviation
Administration
July 28, 1982
The Honorable LeRoy E. McDowell
Mayor of Kalispell
P. 0. Box 1035
Kalispell, MT 59901
Dear [Mayor McDowell:
In response to your recent request for
Kalispell City Airport to be included
(NASP), the following is provided.
Northwest Mountain Region
Colorado, Idaho, Montana,
Oregon, Utah, Washington,
Wyoming
17900 Pacific Highway South
C-68966
Seattle, Washington 98168
information on the potential for the
in the National Airport System Plan
The purpose of the NASP is to provide users with adequate access to the national
transportation system. This function is performed adequately by Glacier Park
International Airport (GPIA) for this location. There are no provisions in
NASP criteria to include a second airport that is less than 23 minutes driving
time from another NASP airport, except for relievers. This criteria is based
on cost/benefit analysis and we cannot support the expenditure of limited
federal funds at two locations for a relatively small community such as
Kalispell, when there are so many other communities needing airport develop-
ment throughout the State of Montana.
Additionally, Kalispell City cannot be consideredunder a -reliever classifica-
tion as GPIA does not in itself qualify from a capacity standpoint to necessi-
tate a reliever, nor is it in a metropolitan area.
The foregoing has nothing to do with physical dimensional standards, which
quite likely can be met at the City airport site with the expenditure of
sufficient funds, We recognize this airport is somewhat more convenient to
some users, however this same situation exists in many locations throughout
the country, and in response to our query to Washington Headquarters' personnel,
they assured us that similar situations such as exist at Kalispell have not
been given consideration for inclusion in the NASP.
Another factor which we believe should be recognized, is the potential for
eventual environmental problems, due to this airport's proximity to an expand-
ing community over the next 10-20 years.
If the city feels strongly about retaining this airport in view of the above,
we feel it should be developed with local funds, with whatever assistance may
be offered by the State Division of Aeronautics.
If the decision to improve the facility is pursued, we would point out that
the strength of the existing pavement as stated in the 1979 Mini -Master Plan
accomplished by TAP, Inc., is in error. This pavement is in fact evaluated
to 4,000 lb. total aircraft gross weight on single wheel gear, and construc-
tion costs would be increased considerably over those stated in the report to
upgrade the pavement to 10,000 or 12,500 lbs., the normal standard for a
Utility airport.
If we can be of further assistance, please call either myself or Dave Wingfield
at (206) 767-2633.
Sincerely,
5r- George L. Buley
Chief, Planning and
Programming Branch, ANM-610
cc:
Mike Ferguson
HLN-AFO