Chapter 1 - IntroductionMASTER PLAN UPDATE — ORAFT
Kalispell City Airport
Chapter i INTROD[JCTION
Purpose
The Kalispell City Airport Master Plan Update has been undertaken to evaluate the airport's
capabilities and role, to forecast future aviation demand, and to plan for the timely development of
new or expanded facilities that may be required to meet that demand. The ultimate goal of the master
plan update is to provide systematic guidelines for the airport's overall maintenance, development,
and operation.
The master plan update is intended to be a proactive document which identifies and then plans for
future facility needs well in advance of the actual need for the facilities. This is done to ensure that
the City of Kalispell can coordinate project approvals, design, financing, and construction to avoid
experiencing detrimental effects due to inadequate facilities.
An important result of the master plan update is reserving sufficient areas for future facility needs.
This protects development areas and ensures they will be readily available when required to meet
future needs. The intended result is a detailed land use concept which outlines specific uses for all
areas of airport property.
The preparation of this master plan update is evidence that the City of Kalispell recognizes the
importance of air transportation to the community and the associated challenges inherent in
providing for its unique operating and improvement needs. The cost of maintaining an airport is an
investment which yields impressive benefits to the community and the region. With a sound and
realistic master plan, Kalispell City Airport can maintain its role as an important link to the national
air transportation system for the community and maintain the existing public and private investments
in its facilities.
1.2 06Jectives
The primary objective of the master plan update is to provide the City of Kalispell, Airport Advisory
Board, and local community with guidance for future development in a manner that will satisfy
aviation demands and be compatible with the environment. The accomplishment of this objective
requires the evaluation of the existing airport and determination of what actions should be taken to
maintain an adequate, safe, and reliable airport facility to meet the general aviation needs of the area.
This master plan update will provide an outline of necessary development and provide "decision
makers" advance notice of future airport funding needs so that appropriate steps can be taken to
ensure that adequate funds are budgeted and planned. Specific objectives of the Kalispell City
Airport Master Plan Update are:
*6 To preserve and protect public and private investments in existing airport facilities;
4 To enhance the safety of aircraft operations near and at the airport;
4 To be reflective of community and regional goals, needs, and plans;
4 To ensure that future development is environmentally compatible;
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MASTER PLAN UPDATE ORAF--
Ka[ispe[[ City Airport
4 To establish and prioritize future airport development and prepare a financial plan to meet the
funding needs of the proposed improvements;
4 To develop an overall plan that is responsive to general aviation demands;
4 To develop an orderly plan for growth of private -use areas on the airport;
4 To coordinate this master plan update with local, regional, state, and federal agencies, and;
4, To develop active and productive public involvement throughout the planning process.
The master plan will accomplish these objectives by carrying out the following:
.k Determining projected needs of airport users through the year 2032;
4 Identifying existing and future facility needs;
4. Evaluating future airport facility development alternatives which will optimize airport
capacity and aircraft safety; and
4 Developing a realistic, commonsense plan for the use and/or expansion of the airport.
1.5 Master Plan Elements
The Kalispell City Airport Master Plan Update is being prepared in accordance with FAA guidelines
and industry -accepted principles and practices. The master plan update for Kalispell City Airport has
seven chapters that are intended to assist in the discovery of future facility needs and provide the
supporting rationale for their implementation.
Chapter z — RECOMMENDED AIRPORT PLAN provides both a graphic and
narrative description of the recommended plan for the use, development, and operation of the
airport. An environmental overview is also provided. This chapter also includes the official Airport
Layout Plan (ALP) and detailed technical drawings depicting related airspace, land use, and property
data. These drawings are used by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in determining grant
eligibility and funding.
Chapter 3 — INVENTORY summarizes current facilities and aviation activity at the airport.
The inventory efforts are focused on collecting and assembling relevant data pertaining to the airport
and the area it serves. The inventory summarizes existing airport conditions including a brief history
of the airport, FAA classification, existing airport facilities description, airspace management,
meteorological conditions, land use, existing laws and ordinances, and existing studies. Planning
studies which may have relevance to the master plan are also collected
Chapter 4 — AVIATION FORCA5T5 examines the potential demand for aviation activity
at the airport. This analysis utilizes local socioeconomic information, as well as national air
transportation trends to quantify the levels of aviation activity which can reasonably be expected to
occur at Kalispell City Airport through the year 2032. Local economic and demographic data is
collected to define the local growth trends. The results of this effort are used to determine the types
and sizes of facilities which will be required to meet the projected aviation demands on the airport
through the planning period.
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MASTER PLAN UPDATE — DRAFT
Ka[ispe[[ City Airport
Chapter S - FACILITY REQUIREMENTS defines the physical facilities needed to
safely and efficiently accommodate the current and future aviation demands at Kalispell City
Airport. This chapter reviews the airport classification, runway length requirements, airport
dimensional standards, pavement strength, wind conditions, tie -downs and apron requirements,
navigational aids, lighting, signage, fencing, and access issues surrounding the airport. The intent of
this analysis is to compare the existing facility capacities to forecast aviation demand and determine
where deficiencies in capacities (as well as excess capacities) may exist. Where deficiencies are
identified, the size and type of new facilities to accommodate the demand are identified. The airfield
analysis focuses on improvements needed to serve the type of aircraft expected to operate at the
airport in the future, as well as navigational aids to increase the safety and efficiency of operations.
This element also examines the general aviation terminal, hangar, apron, and support needs.
Chapter 6 — AIRPORT ALTERNATIVES considers a variety of solutions to
accommodate the projected facility needs. This element proposes various facility and site plan
configurations which can meet the projected facility needs. An analysis is completed to identify the
strengths and weaknesses of each proposed development alternative, with the intention of
determining a single direction for development.
Chapter 7 - FINANCIAL PLAN focuses on the capital needs program which defines the
schedules, costs, and funding sources for the recommended development projects.
1 .4 Master Pan Process
The Kalispell City Airport Master Plan Update is of interest to many within the local community.
This includes local citizens, community organizations, airport users, airport tenants, local planners,
and aviation organizations. As the forth largest general aviation airport in Montana, the Kalispell
City Airport Master Plan Update is of importance to both state and federal agencies responsible for
overseeing air transportation.
To assist in the preparation of the master plan update, draft sections of the report were prepared at
various milestones in the planning process. The "draft -review" process allowed for timely input and
review at key stages of the planning effort to ensure that all master plan issues were fully addressed
as the recommended program developed.
Master plan update workshops were held throughout the planning process as part of the plan
coordination. These workshops were open to the public and designed to allow any and all interested
persons to become informed and provide input concerning the master plan update. Planned
workshop timing is shown in relation to the overall master update process on Figure 1-1.
Chapter i /ntrodurUnn
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Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter S
Chapter 6
4jj
and Documentation
Kickoff Meeting
September zx, 2.0I0
Public Open House
january.t8/ zoii
FAA/Owner
Review
and Comment
y` 1
Public Open House
April ��, zoxa
FAA/Owner
Review of Draft
Master Plan