... View All News Stories on the WAPA Web...

Upcoming Events

• 5 Aug 2008 - Glider Flying Group Event at Sterling
• 9 Aug 2008 - Cookout at GDM

Complete calendar of events...

---

---

The Pilot and the Chart Maker. VFR Charts From the Expert

    02 Aug 2008 - (r1 - 02 Aug 2008 - 01:57:45 - GeorgeClark)

George Clark writes: ... Jim Adams wrote in with the August Safety Seminars. This one is a "Don't Miss" Program. Topic: VFR charts, all you ever wanted to know and a whole lot more. Presented by the Chart Wizard himself, Richard R. Neher.

The seminar is presented 4 times in the region:

• Westover - Monday, August 4, 2008 at 7:00 pm
• Plainville - Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 7:00 pm
• Bridgeport - Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 7:30 pm
• Fitchburg - Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 7:00 pm

Details at http://www.faasafety.gov/

Click here to read more...

---

Wind turbine proposal interferes with ORH approaches

    02 Aug 2008 - (r2 - 06 Aug 2008 - 01:33:37 - GeorgeClark)

George Clark writes: ... Eric Waldron contacted me to let us know that the FAA is considering a proposal by the Tersian Carmelites to install a large wind turbine on Asnebumskit Hill, 2 NM northwest of the Airport. The proposed turbine will extend 425 feet AGL (1690 MSL), and the FAA has determined that any height exceeding 200 feet would be a Hazard to Air Navigation.

https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=558373

The changes to instrument approaches would be significant.

• Runway 29 takeoff minimums increase:
  • Current: 300' with 2 mile visibility or standard with 250'/NM climb gradient to 1,300'
  • Revised: 700' with 3 mile visibility or standard with 268'/NM to 2,000'.
• Runway 33's minimums increase
  • Current: 700' with 2 mile visibility or standard with 320'/NM climb gradient to 2,000'
  • Revised: 700' with 2 miles or standard with 612'/NM climb gradient to 2,000'.
• Four approach minimums would be increased -
  • RNAV Runway 29 minimums would increase from 1,361' to 1,616';
  • GPS Runway 33 minimums would increase from 1,340' to 1,680'
  • NDB Runway 11 minimums would increase from 1,680' to 2,020'
  • The circling approach minimums for Category D aircraft would increase from 1,720' to 2,040'.

I'd also consider it a VFR hazard. On busy days, I've had my downwind leg extend towards Asnebumskit hill or even beyond. At 1690, that's not very much margin for error. And for the departure minimums, 612'/NM is a rate of climb of over 900 FPM with a 90 Knot groundspeed.

Deadline for comments is Wednesday 8/6/2008 Comments must be relevant to the effect the structure would have on aviation, must provide sufficient detail to permit a clear understanding, and must contain the Aeronautical Study No. 2008-ANE-100-OE, and must be received on or before the 6th. Comments can be submitted electronically at https://oeaaa.faa.gov/oeaaa/external/searchAction.jsp?action=displayOECase&oeCaseID=558373 (Create an account and log in to comment) or in writing to: Federal Aviation Administration; Air Traffic Airspace Branch ASW-520; 2601 Meacham Blvd. Fort Worth, TX 76137-0520

FAA Documents:

• Wind_Turbine_Notice.pdf
• Wind_Turbine_Hazard_Notice.pdf

Click here to read more... to see Eric Waldron's letter

---

Mass Sales Tax Exemption Repeal Update

    01 Jul 2008 - (r1 - 01 Jul 2008 - 23:13:19 - DavidLibbey)

David Libbey writes: ... Budget bill reported out of legislature conference committee did NOT include repeal of the aviation sales tax exemption.

Click here to read more...

---

New ORH Letters to Airmen published

    15 Jun 2008 - (r1 - 15 Jun 2008 - 19:39:30 - GeorgeClark)

Mel Turmelle writes... Here are the revised Letters of which I wrote in March/April. Please make them available to all users. Letter to Aimen 08-1 merely advises to be prepared for an intersection departure. Aside from the date, there is no change on Letter 08-2.

Letter 08-01 [PDF] (MS Word) states:

The purpose of this letter is to eliminate runway incursions at the Worcester Regional Airport through user familiarization with the described preferred taxi routes. General Aviation aircraft are expected to depart from the intersections unless otherwise requested of, and approved by Worcester Tower. Caution: Be alert to runway crossing clearances. Your readback of all runway holding instructions is required.

Letter 08-02 [PDF] (MS Word) describes the non-movement areas on the airport.

Click here to read more...

---

An "Arresting Experience" to avoid

    12 Jun 2008 - (r2 - 14 Jun 2008 - 02:58:54 - GeorgeClark)

George Clark writes: ... At Wednesday's WAPA meeting, Airport Manager Eric Waldron and others from Massport presented plans for construction at ORH over this summer. Two major projects are being undertaken -

• Installation of an EMAS - "Engineered Material Arresting System" at the approach end of Runway 29. (The other end will be done in a couple of years.) This system is used to provide the equivalent 1000' overrun area on runways where it is geographically or practically impossible to obtain the required overrun. The system consists of crushable concrete blocks of increasing thickness out from the runway end. Here is a Video of the overrun system [esco.zodiac.com]. One note... if you run into it, you (or your insurance) will most likely be held liable for repair of the system. So don't do that.
• A major resurfacing effort on Runway 11-29 West of the Delta taxiway, and a new runway lighting system. The new centerline lights will require trenching the entire length of 11-29. Work on the remaining 4000' of the runway will be done in a later project.

This work will be done during regular working hours, and results in an extended runway 11-29 closure beginning in mid-August.

Other news from the meeting; One of the new flight schools was introduced to the members. Bill Allen of Emerson Aviation was introduced to the attendees. The school will be located in the Swissport building, and once the new school is up and running, anyone who has turned in an Amity issued Airport Badge will be eligible for a reissued badge for the remaining valid time at no additional charge. Note that Amity issued badges are no longer valid and must be turned in to the Airport per TSA regulations. Also, ORH Master Plan was presented, and there was some lively discussion of some of the happenings at ORH.

Click here to read more...

---

What's your favorite source for weather?

    12 Jun 2008 - (r1 - 12 Jun 2008 - 04:10:17 - GeorgeClark)

George Clark writes: ... There are a couple of new sources for weather and flight planning out there.

The Unisys weather [weather.unisys.com] site offer up a number of graphical products. The web site states "The intent of this weather site is to provide a complete source of graphical weather information. This is intended to satisfy the needs of the weather professional" Want to talk about the terrible weather you dealt with at OSH 2 years ago? Look at the historical archives for daily weather graphics going all the way back to 1997.

And how about "Bird" forecasts? Check out the USAF's AHAS and BAM (That's the Avian Hazard Advisory System and Bird Avoidance Model. It has nothing to do with the sound that a bird-strike makes.) These sites can alert you to the probability of bird activity. Or even a view of actual bird strikes in our area

Click here to read more...

---

New TAF Format Coming

    06 Jun 2008 - (r1 - 06 Jun 2008 - 11:54:41 - DavidLibbey)

David Libbey writes: ... Effective November 8, the coding format for all TAF's will change. In addition, TAF's for certain airports will be provided for a 30 hour period vs. the current 24 hour period. See a summary at: http://www.aviationweather.gov/notice/taf30.php>.

Click here to read more...

---

-- GeorgeClark - 29 Apr 2005