AAAE NEC 52nd Annual Conference

August 14th - 18th, 2010 · Burlington, Vermont

We are excited about the sessions that will be offered during the conference. Burlington’s theme, Talking Off in the “Green” Mountains will showcase our commitment towards a “Greener” way of business that we hope will impact the trend towards innovative methods and thinking to conserve and maximize limited resources.

Come and explore Burlington, which Forbes, Inc. ranked second as “one of the Prettiest Towns in America.” Take some time to enjoy the Green Mountains and the Lake Champlain region. There are many attractions in the Champlain Valley including Vermont Teddy Bear, Ben & Jerry’s Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms and the popular resort areas in the Green Mountains less than an hour away.

For more information visit: www.necconference.org
Hotel Reservations: Sheraton Burlington Hotel & Conference Center

From The Cockpit

Our President’s Message

I think most people will agree there is a very distinct feeling you get when you suddenly realize how fast time is passing. For example, a few weeks ago I received an email telling me that my high school classmates were planning a reunion. At first, knowing that it isn’t a milestone year in terms of our graduation date, I was a little perplexed. It was only when I replied that I learned of the reason for this “off year” reunion..….. age. 2010 is the year most of us will turn 60. WOW! Talk about time flying. But, honestly, I can’t wait for the reunion. Those were four great years.

In another dose of reality it occurred to me that there are less than two months left before our annual chapter conference in Burlington, VT …….and the end of my term as chapter president. Again, I’m really looking forward to the conference, seeing old friends, making new ones and all the other things that happen when we get together. But, talk about that feeling of time passing…..where did it go?

Involvement with the chapter comes in many different ways. Basic membership and support are always a great start and make up the heart and soul of the association. Committee work or the desire to participate as a chapter officer can be further satisfying and these areas offer added benefits, both personally and to the Chapter. In the end it is very rewarding. All it takes is time and the desire to participate.

At this point you’re probably wondering where these seemingly random thoughts are going? High school classmates…….the annual chapter conference……involvement with the chapter……. What’s the common thread? Well, as I see it, the answer is “friendship”.

The careers we have chosen revolve around one of the most challenging industries of modern times. Aviation is dynamic and ever changing. From major events like 9/11 or the recent economic impact on airline schedules and the resulting capacity reduction at our airports, the fact is that we can not handle it alone. Nor are we expected to. We need our friends. Friends are the people we know, the people we can count on. Friendship. We never know where or when our paths may cross or how long, for one reason or another, these friends will be in our lives. But friends are the people we know we can call upon, the people who are there for us. So it is friendship that brings my thoughts back to the AAAE……and especially the Northeast Chapter.

Above all else I believe that the greatest value we receive from our participation in AAAE and, specifically, the Northeast Chapter, comes from the friends we make and the friendship we experience as we travel together along our separate career paths. I can’t think of a better group of capable and willing friends who are always there, always willing to help.

A mentor earlier in my career told me that participation in AAAE would be one of the best investments I could make with my time. He was right. And so, before any more of this valuable time passes, I want to take this opportunity to simply say “Thank You” to everyone who has been there when I knew I couldn’t do it alone. I only hope you feel the same about the people you have met through your participation in AAAE. And, please, don’t ever hesitate to let me know if I can return the favor of your friendship. It means a lot. See you in Burlington !!!!!

The Balchen / Post Award

At the 44th Annual International Aviation Snow Symposium on April 28th, 2010 in Buffalo, NY; awards were presented to the “Snow Crews” of the airports in the Snow Belt for their dedicated efforts in maintaining their airports in safe and operational status during the 2009 – 2010 winter season. This is the 34th consecutive year that such awards have been presented. All categories of airports – Commercial, General Aviation and Military - compete for these awards.

The 2009 – 2010 awards were presented to the following airports:

Military Airport
Winner:
ELMENDORF AFB (PACAF)
3rd CIVIL ENGINEER SQUADRON
Honorable Mention:
ELLSWORTH AFB (ACC)
28th CIVIL ENGINEER SQUADRON

Small General Aviation
( Less than 50,000 operations per year )
Winner:
Southwest Michigan Regional Airport, Benton Harbor, MI
Honorable Mention:
Niagara Falls International Airport, Niagara Falls, NY

Large General Aviation
( Over 50,000 operations per year )
Winners:
Centennial Airport, Englewood, CO
Teterboro Airport, Teterboro, NJ
Honorable Mention:
The Ohio State UniversityAirport, Columbus, OH
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport, Broomfield, CO
Worcester Regional Airport, Worcester, MA

Small Commercial
( Less than 100,000 operations per year )
Winners:
Greater Rochester International Airport, Rochester, NY
Honorable Mention:
Burlington International Airport, Burlington, VT

Medium Commercial
( 100,000 to 200,000 operations per year )
Winners:
Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh, PA
Honorable Mention:
General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, WI

Large Commercial
( Over 200,000 operations per year )
Winners:
Chicago O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL
Washington Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC
Honorable Mention:
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, Detroit, MI

Northeast Airports Are a Gas!

by Ann B. Crook A.A.E., Airport Manager Elmira-Corning Regional Airport

The Marcellus Shale is a massive natural rock formation that stretches from the Southern Tier of New York through Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. Recent advances in horizontal drilling technology and hydraulic fracturing “fracking” have made it economically viable extract the natural gas from the rock formation. The fracking process involves breaking up the shale beds deep below the earth’s surface. As the shale is broken, natural gas is released into wells. The Marcellus formation is the largest natural gas play in North America and is estimated to contain enough natural gas to meet the entire national demand for a two-year period. To date the productivity of Marcellus wells has exceeded initial expectations.

The potential impact that this industry can have on our airports is immense. The Bradford Regional Airport in Pennsylvania has a gas lease with 32 wells currently in operation. This lease, which provides an initial cash bonus in addition to on-going royalties has made this small airport financially robust. Williamsport Regional Airport and Allegheny County Airport Authority in PA are also experiencing dramatic growth as a result of the burgeoning natural gas industry.

Marcellus Shale drilling activity is currently focused in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Activity is expected to accelerate rapidly after New York State finalizes new regulations on the horizontal drilling and fracking. Despite this, we have experienced remarkable growth at the Elmira Corning Regional Airport in Upstate New York associated with the gas industry. For the last year we have accommodated four CRJ charters per month between ELM and Oklahoma City. Who would have ever guessed that that would be an air service market? Those regular charters have now expanded to include Pittsburgh and Clarksburg, WV. These are all locations that need transportation links to the gas company headquarters in Oklahoma. Our regular airline flights have also been filled with gas workers. Last year one flight that was slated to be cut was salvaged when we demonstrated to the airline that the gas industry relied on that flight and their use was growing. Corporate charters activity has also grown as demonstrated by our 44% increase in fuel flowage this year.

Even non-aeronautical activity is increasing on the heels of the drilling activity. Parking lot revenues are up 20% as license plates from gas company states (TX, OK, LA, etc.) account for 15% of our usage. The bar serves an early-morning crowd prior to our gas charter flights. Even terminal advertising has experienced increased demand as gas service companies are looking to reach out industry executives.

Obviously the benefits associated with increased activity and a consistent revenue stream is enticing. But there are risks too. In considering working with an energy company an airports must work closely with the FAA to avoid issues with compatible land use, airspace interference, environmental compliance, and grant assurance problems. Since this industry is new in this region airport sponsors and FAA alike are learning the ropes and educating each other to issues and solutions. For more information, visit: www.ChemungChamber.org

Students Gather at the 82nd Annual AAAE Conference

by: Steve Adams, A.A.E., Chair, AAAE Academic Relations Committee

The recent AAAE Annual Conference in Dallas presented many opportunities for Student Chapter and Academic Members of AAAE. Those present acclaimed the attendance and participation a resounding success. 66 Student Chapter members attended the conference, a new record! These students represented 15 Student Chapters from universities across the nation.

The students participated in a number of sessions and activities geared to them throughout the conference. These sessions were initiated and coordinated by the AAAE Academic Relations Committee. Among the offerings were sessions on networking, how successful Student Chapters were organized, as well as tips on preparing for the interview process, which session included mock interviews.

The popular mentor program was repeated this year and was a major success due to the participation of a myriad of volunteer aviation professionals representing various positions at a cross section of airports and the aviation community. A good number of Northeast Chapter members served as mentors and some presented as well in the mentoring session, to include our own Steve Korta, Al Pollard, Wayne Pennell, and Marshall Stevens, so the Chapter Executive Committee was well represented. The students availed themselves of the opportunity to relate to their mentors as well as be introduced by those mentors to other airport, consultant, and vendor associates.

At least 10 student members joined the Northeast Chapter Business Meeting and were warmly welcomed by the Chapter members. The students were apprised of opportunities to obtain free registrations to the NEC Annual Conference in exchange for some of their time assisting at the event. This news was met with much enthusiasm.

It was a banner year for the student program and planning for next year’s Annual will begin shortly to grow on this success and make it an even more valuable experience next year. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the many NEC members who gave so graciously of their time, not only at the conference, but for many, their contributions to the Committee and our student members throughout the year.

Information on the Academic Relations Committee and resources available to students can be found on the Committee’s webpage at www.aaae.org/arcommittee.

Students from CUNY York College and Farmingdale State College gathers for a picture after the regional AAAE meeting.

The four ladies in front are Mical, Hanna, Melody and Justine From left – Dr. Aceves, Kurt, A student from Embry-Riddle but he’s blocked, John (Behind the Embry Riddle student), Steve Korta, Arlington and Fahad

Solving the BWI ILS Dilemma

A crew from Liberty Mountain Resort and Conference Center took a "snow day" to assist Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport with snow recovery efforts.

After back-to-back storms that dropped record breaking amounts of snow on the area, the Airport and the Federal Aviation Administration asked the resort to help clear snow near important navigational equipment.

Mechanics and operators from Liberty brought a PistenBully 600 ski slope and trail grooming vehicle to BWI Marshall Airport to help clear snow near the Airport's Runway 10-28 glideslope antenna.

"I want to acknowledge and thank Liberty Mountain Resort for lending their equipment, their expertise, and most importantly, their employees," said Paul J. Wiedefeld, Executive Director of the Maryland Aviation Administration. "This was an innovative, outside-the-box solution that brought an important navigation technology back online here at BWI Marshall. The Airport, the FAA, and the airlines are appreciative of the fine work performed by the entire Liberty team."

The glideslope is a critical component of an Instrument Landing System (ILS), the ground-based technology that provides precision guidance to aircraft approaching and landing on airport runways. The ILS is particularly needed for aircraft operations during poor weather.

The glideslope technology provides vertical guidance to aircraft approaching a runway for arrival. Glideslope systems are sensitive to uneven terrain near glideslope antenna equipment. The heavy snow this week at BWI Marshall affected the accuracy the glideslope technology.

The crew from Liberty Mountain Resort and Conference Center used the snowcat to remove snow near glideslope antenna, located alongside Runway 10-28, one of the major air carrier runways at BWI Marshall Airport .

Newly Accredited John Panarello, A.A.E.

John Panarello began his aviation began his aviation training as a private pilot earning his instrument rating which led to his employment with Pan Am World Services in airport operations performing airfield safety, weather observation and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting duties. He has 19 years experience in airport management and is currently the Manager, Airport Services at Teterboro Airport with AFCO AvPORTS Management LLC. He has overall responsibility for the airports’ operational, maintenance, environmental and noise abatement functions as wells as the organizations’ Quality Management System certified to 9001:2008. John is assisting with the development of the airports SMS as part of the FAA’s Pilot Study and is a member of the Teterboro Industry Working Group. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree – Aviation Management from the College of Boca Raton.

Newly Accredited Members since August 2008:

Ashish Solanki, A.A.E.
Director, Office of Regional Aviation Assistance
Maryland Aviation Administration
410.859.7064
asolanki@bwiairport.com

Jennifer Klass, A.A.E.
Director, Office of Regional Aviation Assistance
Director, Business Development and Training
AAAE
703.824.0504
jennifer.klass@aaae.org

Ann B. Crook, A.A.E.
Airport Manager
Elmira Corning Regional Airport
607.739.5621
acrook@co.chemung.ny.us

James R. Gill, A.A.E.
CFO & Treasurer
Pittsburgh International Airport
412.472.3512
jgill@pitairport.com

Huntley A. Lawrence, A.A.E.
Deputy General Manager
PANYNJ
973.961.6261
hlawrence@panynj.gov

Ahmed Shihadeh, A.A.E.
Engineering Manager
Rhode Island Airport Corporation
401.737.4000
ashihadeh@pvdairport.com

Kevin Bleach, A.A.E.
Manager, Aeronautical & Technical Services
PANYNJ
212.435.3727
kbleach@panynj.gov

Pascal Cohen, A.A.E
Airport Terminal Superintendent
Buffalo Niagara International Airport
716.630.6060
pascal_cohen@nfta.com

Kevin Daugherty, A.A.E.
Airport Manager
Frederick Municipal Airport
301.600.1423
kdaugherty@cityoffrederick.com

John Duval and Mark Brewer

Past NEC President John Duval, A.A.E. completed his term as AAAE Chair at the 82nd AAAE Annual Conference in Dallas in June. Keeping the Northeast Chapter represented on the AAAE Executive Committee Mark Brewer, A.A.E., also an NEC Past President, was elected to the Secretary/Treasurer position.

John announced his departure from airport management but not from the aviation industry. John has assumed the position of National Aviation Director for Austin Commercial, a large construction firm responsible for many of the structures visible in the Dallas skyline. He can be reached at310 421-0269 and jduval@austin-ind.com All the very best to John in his new endeavor and Mark in his move into the national chairs.

New A.A.E., C.M. Modules Available

The newly rewritten Body of Knowledge modules and testing materials for AAAE's Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and Certified Member (C.M.) program candidates have been released.

The new modules are available both in hard copy and online. The online versions are available, here

Candidates who have been working with the retiring, 15-module set can test on them until Sept. 30, 2010. The retired modules are still available online, but are no longer being produced in hard-copy format.

AAAE's Board of Examiners approved the re-writing of the modules to streamline them and update the content. The new modules debuted on June 1, while the testing materials became available on July 1.

Questions on the modules or A.A.E. or C.M. programs can be addressed to AAAE's Accreditation Department at (703) 824-0500 or via e-mail at accreditation@aaae.org.