Maynard/Kalispell City AirportFrom:
Maynard, Michael K [MMAYNARD@wilbursmith.com]
Sent:
Thursday, October 23, 2008 12:40 PM
To:
jpatrick@kalispell.com
Cc:
airport@kalispell.com
Subject:
Kalispell City Airport
Attachments:
Kalispell City Airport.doc; 1 Kalispell City Airport'doc
As you are aware, the Montana Aeronautics Division is conducting an economic impact study of Montana's system of
airports. Our firm is nearing completion of the study and would like you to review materials and facts and figures
regarding your airport before we go to print. Attached are two Word files which describe your airport's location as well as
a narrative on the Qualitative Benefits (other benefits) your airport provides to your community. This data was gathered
during extensive field work and airport management surveys. These materials will be used in a brochure developed for
each airport. Also, if you have any digital photos of your airport you would like included in your airport's brochure please
email them to me. Photos of aircraft operations, people working at the airport and the airport's sign are welcome.
Below is a table that provides part time and full time employment figures for businesses and government agencies
operating on your airport. The list of tenants was collected from each airport sponsor. Tenant employment numbers were
collected from respondents to our Tenant Survey as well as Wilbur Smith Associates and Morrison Maierle staff visits to
airports. Other data such as tenant payroll and sales were collected but is considered proprietary and cannot be shown
on a per business basis.
Please review these materials and respond with comments and questions within 10 days of receiving this
correspondence. If we do not hear back from you we will assume the materials are to your satisfaction. We appreciate
your participation in this study.
Thank you,
Mike Maynard
Sr. Aviation Project Manager
Wilbur Smith Associates
6600 Clough Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45244
v. 513.233.3700 ext. 260
f. 513.624.5182
m. 513.503.3155
city
Airport Name
Business Name
Full
Time
Part
Time
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
Barret Aviation
0
1
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
Jay Bilmayer
0
1
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
Pete Gross
0
1
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
T & L Properties
0
1
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
Commercial Placeholder
0
0
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
Northern Lites Aviation
2
0
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
Montana Diamond Aire
4
3
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
Red Eagle Aviation
6
4
Kalispell
Kalispell City Airport
US Forest Service
60
0
Total 72 11
In addition to the economic benefits described above, Kalispell City Airport provides
access and services that promote the well being of the local community. The airport is
primarily a base for recreational flying, corporate aviation, law enforcement activity, and
forest and rangeland firefighting activities during the warm months of the year. The
airport is also used extensively for aerial wildlife surveys and as a gateway for visitors to
the area's resorts. Helicopter and airplane flight instruction is another regular activity at
Kalispell City Airport as are charter service and scenic tours.
Kalispell Regional Medical Center in Kalispell, Montana and Northern Rockies Medical
Center in Cut Bank, Montana utilize Kalispell City Airport as well. A survey of 35
hospitals in Montana gathered data to obtain information relating to how often hospitals
use airports in Montana to bring in specialists from out of the area, as well as how often
airports are used for patient transfer. Survey data indicated Kalispell Regional Medical
Center uses Kalispell City Airport and Glacier Park International Airport 24 times per
year on average to bring doctors and specialists to the hospital to conduct clinics. These
doctors fly in from Kalispell and Missoula. The hospital also uses Kalispell City Airport
360 times per year on average for emergency patient transfer via air ambulance.
Other aviation activities that occur occasionally at Kalispell City Airport include
agricultural spraying, aerial inspections of pipelines and electric transmission lines,
search and rescue operations, medical shipments and patient transfer, aerial photography,
real estate tours, banner towing, sky diving, and hot air balloon and ultralight aircraft
operations.
According to airport management data, the major airport users include Barrett Aviation,
Northern Lites Aviation, B&B Properties, Red Eagle Aviation, and Diamond Aire. FAA
data indicates Air Center of Salt Lake, Bear Hollow Properties, Big Wave Construction
Inc., Cumberland Corp., ETCO Incorporated, Standard Construction Inc., Stewart Homes
Inc., and Western States Equipment utilized the airport during the past year.
Kalispell City Airport is located one mile south of Kalispell, Montana, in Flathead
County. In the Kalispell area, visitors are treated to a city that prides itself on its modem
art studios, galleries, restaurants, shops, bed and breakfast inns, and offices mixed among
historic homes and buildings. Kalispell is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, with limitless
recreation opportunities and spectacular scenery found in the surrounding mountain
ranges, National Forest lands, and nearby Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park.
Kalispell is the county seat of Flathead County.
Kalispell has a population of approximately 19,432. Major employment sectors in 1131
area include health care and social assistance, accommodation and food servic
construction, and education services. Largest employers in Kalispell area inclu
Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Plum Creek Timber, Semi -tool, Flathead Vall
Community College, Kalispell School District, and Teletech. I
The 134-acre airport's primary runway, Runway 13/3 1, measures 3,600 feet in length arE
60 feet in width. The airport, with 64 based aircraft, experiences approximately 38,4
aircraft operations annually. I