Survey Results set direction for WAPA

The WAPA Board met in November to review the survey results and to plan our next steps based upon the feedback from the Survey.

Results from the Survey were reviewed in some detail. We had 34 responses to the survey - 3 from US Mail, and the rest from the Web. (Since the meeting, one more arrived via the web, and one more from US Mail.)

Next Steps: We need more help on three committees:

• Outreach: We need volunteers to organize local efforts in national programs, EAA Young Eagles, and AOPA Mentor, and other activities
• Airport / Agency Relations: We need volunteers to represent interests of their local airports, and volunteers to commit to attending MAC, Massport, Airport Commission, and other open meetings.
• Activities: We need help in organizing flyins and other group activities

The results are described below in more detail.

Understanding the results The survey results are all ranked in decending order of interest. The average response is shown. The numbers in parenthesis are the lowest and highest response. An answer of 1 represented "Strongly Disagree", and 7 was "Strongly Agree".

Outreach

This topic seemed to generally have the highest interest. Overall 12-14 respondents indicated that they would participate in one of the Mentoring or Initial Flight programs.

• EAA Young Eagles 5.78 (2-7)
• AOPA Initial Flight (Project Pilot) 5.69 (4-7)
• AOPA Mentor 5.63 (4-7)
• Sponsor local school programs 5.59 (4-7)
• AOPA Fly a Teacher 5.42 (3-7)
• (Angel Flight) (AirLifeline) 5.38 (1-7)

It was decided that we should proceed with a committee to oganize efforts in this area. We have one volunteer. He has already made contact with one of the Worcester schools, and they are putting together an introductory aviation program at one of the High Schools which will hopefully culminate in an introductory flight for the student.

A new email list has been set up to help organize the Outreach committee. To sign up, either visit the Outreach List Webpage and fill out the subscription form, or send an email to outreach-request@worcesterapa.org and put the word "subscribe" in the subject. This list is only open to paid WAPA Members so if you have not done so, now is as good a time as any to Join WAPA

Airport Issues

This topic attempted to determine whether our efforts should focus on the airports and management, or on the surrounding communities. Clearly the Survival, Public Fear, and Business success at airports generated the strongest response. Access, Atmosphere, Fees, Neighbors and the MAC Pilot ID program were less important.

• Survival 6.08 (1-7)
• Public Fear 6.02 (4-7)
• Businesses 5.93 (2-7)

• Pilot Communications 5.51 (2-7)
• Access to Ramp 5.32 (1-7)
• GA Atmosphere 5.29 (1-7)
• ORH Fees 5.08 (2-7)
• Neighbors 4.85 (1-7)
• MAC Pilot ID 3.8 (1-7)

It was decided that we don't have any specific action to take yet without a better understanding of who we should attempt to influence. We need to get a better understanding of MAC, WAC, Massport, etc. Also, we are the Worcester AREA pilots … and should not be totally focused on ORH. We decided that the 2nd committee - "Agency and Airport Relations", should be formed with the following objectives

1. Identify individuals to attend various public meetings and report back
2. Build relationship and identity with various govt. agencies
3. Idenfity liason for airports in area Worcester, Spencer, Sterling, Oxford, Southbridge,

If you are a pilot based at one of these airports, and would like to serve as the laison for the WAPA Airport / Agency Relations committee, please send an email to relations@worcesterapa.org Also, WAPA should establish a relationship with the Fitchburg pilots association. They are an active organization and we should interface with them, but not necessarily attempt to deal with airport issues out in Fitchburg.

A new email list has been set up to help organize the Agency / Airport Relationships committee. To sign up, either visit the Relations List Webpage and fill out the subscription form, or send an email to relations-request@worcesterapa.org and put the word "subscribe" in the subject. This list is only open to paid WAPA Members so if you have not done so, now is as good a time as any to Join WAPA

From the above results in these two survey areas, we came to the following conclusion. The results are consistent. The Outreach activites, generating public interest in aviation, and encouraging Student Pilots will fit well with the concerns about Airport and Business survival. We need to get involved and keep our ear to the ground at the local airports and expend our most energy in the commmunity outreach area.

Media Relations

Interest was considerably lower in this area. 8 Volunteers for the Fly a Reporter. 2 and 3 for the Liasons

• Fly a Reporter 4.12 (1-5)
• Newspaper 4.02 (1-5)
• TV Liason 3.4 (1-5)

After some discussion, it was decided that we need to have newsworthy items before focusing too much on the Media. If we get the above two committees going, and start to see some activity, we should then focus on the media. Initially it will be up to the committees to publicize their events. It was also decided that WAPA meetings should be submitted to various papers. The clerk should send announcements of meetings to the local media.

Social Activities

• Regular flyins 5.7 (2-7)

Quarterly events won out at 20:3 for the 23 respondents indicating a preference. 29 respondents indicated that they would participate in a flyin, but only 2 would help organize one. We really need more interest in this area if this is going to be successful. One or two people can't run the whole show. So now is your chance to help. A new email list has been set up to help organize the Activities committee. To sign up, either visit the Activities List Webpage and fill out the subscription form, or send an email to activities-request@worcesterapa.org and put the word "subscribe" in the subject. As with the others, this list is only open to paid WAPA Members so if you have not done so, now is as good a time as any to Join WAPA

Flyin type leaned toward informal (1=informal 7=formal, avg. response 3.17, range 1-6

We decided that at the next meeting we should pass around a "Phone List" for fly-in activity. email interest has been low, and a phone-a-thon approach may be more effective.

We had the beginnings of an activity committee in April (one Volunteer) and need to get some additional help in this area.

• Pancake Breakfast, 4.7 (1-7)

Pancake breakfast had less support. 11 respondents would attend.

• Poker Run 4.17 (1-7)

Poker Run had the lowest support. 2 respondents would help organize one, and only 8 would participate.

Merchandise

• 12 - T-Shirt
• 11 - Golf Shirt
• 7 - Baseball Cap
• 5 - Coffee Mug
• 4 - Jacket
• 2 - Luggage Tag
• 1 - Logo Pin
• 0 - Key fob
• 1 Write-in for a beer mug.

The size distributions were:

• 2   Small
• 3   Medium
• 11  Large
• 9   X-Large
• 3   XX-Large

The board decided to go ahead with the setup for embroidered Golf/Polo shirts and T-Shirts, and we hope to be ready to take orders at the December meeting.

Survey Comments

• I can only speak about ORH. Increasing citizen contact with the airport would be of great benefit in my opinion. The restaurant space in the terminal building should be leased out to build traffic at the airport. The increased traffic is the benefit to the airport, not the rental income. An almost empty facility does not attract attention. Building traffic is very important. Another possibility is actively working to attract based aircraft to the airport. Since the cost to provide a tiedown is zero, and there is room for a large number of additional aircraft at the Foxtrot area, why not reduce the rent of the tiedowns in an effort to attract more aircraft to the airport? Naturally, this would increase fuel and maintenance sales on the field. Obviously the existing tennants on the field would expect their rent to be reduced if new tennants were offered lower rent. The whole picture would have to be balanced. Just as obvious is that price is not the only criteria that draws or repels tennants. I am simply suggesting that more traffic at the airport would be very beneficial to all involved.

• I honestly don't know but would be happy to brainstorm about it

• If fly-ins or similar activities are going to be successful, the destination has to be attractive. I would be happy to help with an event but can't say specifically which would be best without more information

• Being in the news is very important. My work schedule makes being a liason impossible but I think it's a great idea.

• I wish I had more time to participate, but it's not likely, with twin boys having been born in mid-June. I'm supportive but can hardly find time to fly let alone help in other ways

• I'm not sure. I am a renter. I don't know what problems someone who owns and hangers an aircraft at ORH might have. As a renter, I haven't really come across any problems with the airport

• Some of the activities surveyed above require space in which to conduct the activity. How likely is it that that space will be available at ORH? Maybe WAPA could team up with another association, such as the Fitchburg group. Fitchburg airport seems more accomodating to GA.

• Suggestion: attempt to identify (from WAPA members) the potential usage for a FAA aproved flight simulator device for Worcester area pilots/students to log time, IFR training, and so on

• ORH needs activity at the airport to support FBO, Restaurant, schools, etc. Sell autogas to those with the STC. Lower the 100LL price. Unfamiliar with the MAC badge plans

• How can WAPA do any kind of fly-in event while having to meet with Massport security requirements

• I have been up and down the East Coast by plane. Every airport I visited was helpful and cooperative. Worcester Airport and their security measures are a joke and only serve to harrass GA pilots and tenants!

• ORH Access passes that operate the 2 gates need to be reissued to tenants and tiedown customers with rules that make sense. Swissport should not have to escort people to their hangars who have been here for 20 years

• WAPA should speak for the membership and pressure MassPort to grant us the access we had before 9-11. Clear us and leave us alone

• Governors council member should be flown

• No, but I strongly believe that GA could generate positive PR if we were to participate in some of the programs noted above. I'm especially interested in AngleFlight but don't know how I can contribute as a VFR pilot. So…info sessons would be a plus

• I did not rate Pilot Communications as I don't know to what this refers.

• ORH is my local airport. Why not try to set up a series of meetings with airport management to focus on how to promote GA at ORH? I'd also be interested in comparisons of GA conditions at ORH with those at airports where GA is perceived to be truly welcome.

• Holds meetings at those airports, perhaps rotate meetings among area airports

• I've found it very difficult to make it to WAPA meetings - but I believe that we would really benefit from promoting GA in the central MA area. Doing something for others eg AngelFlight is a good way to get positive publicity

• fly a reporter is a double-edged sword. It could either help or hinder our cause depending on many variables

• It seems that general aviation (everything from private flying, flying clubs, etc. to business jets) is the best future that ORH has - substantial airline service looks very unlikley.

• Other than the effects of the 9-11 aftermath, the situation has improved with the current airport manager and the change to management by Massport. Tiedown and hanger fees seem reasonable

• In general, I think it is better to select a few activities and do them successfully, than to try to do too much. Also a balance between service-oriented and fun activities is good. I'm sorry that right now I can't volunteer to help. With reference to the question below, I think one meeting per month is plenty except for committee meetings regarding specific events, activities. More member participation at meetings, like trip reports, reports on experience with a new aircraft, experience with new equipment, etc. would be good to get the members introduced to each other. At present those who know each other stand around and talk, and those who don't know the others don't have much opportunity to get to know them. Keep up the good work

• WINGS day. Pilots can do entire wings certification in one day. Lots of instructors available. 2 - 3 safety seminars throughout the day

• Worcester could use a Pilot Operations Program. This would be a program to talk with pilots who have difficulty flying in and out of the worcester airport. Many recent incidents of pilots who don't know where they are or don't know how to speak on the radio present significant dangers to all pilots flying to and from the airport

• 60M - Neigbors and MAC restrictions

• 60M - Reduction in MAC intervention

• Communication to all based owners and non owners. E mail is great. The more you communicate locally - the more aware all owner and non owner pilots will be and the easier it will be to mobilize action. If the group acts collectively to help all area airports it will positively reflect back on to Worcester and help with the struggles there

• Pilot recurring training sessions, i.e. regs reviews, airspace reviews, etc

• I'm not clear on the purpose of WAPA. (Is WAPA?) If the purpuse is to advocate on behalf of area pilots, then some of these items become important. If we are mainly a social organization, then other issues take priority. I'm not sure the WAPA membership is in agreement on our purpose and goals as an organization. For the record, I think WAPA should: 1) Position itself for the benefit of local pilots 2) Offer things pilots want to see/hear such as a. recreational events b. training events c. social events Trying to influence public policy, or major airport policy is a realistic goal for the organization. Just my .02

• Maybe WAPA could hold an airplane wash or something similar to raise money

• try to get area airports to hold wapa meetings or fly ins

• First concern is that of not having any public tie down for out of town aircraft to park. Swissport is the current transient parking area and they charge a ramp fee of $7 for parking and have only a few actual tie downs. 2nd there is no public phone on the airport so when Swissport is closed there is no access to a phone to call the airport police to escort pilot and passengers off the airport. The landing fees and parking fees are excessive and there are no landing fees for single engine aircraft but for twins that may be the same weight and price? The fuel prices are to high and there is no competition amongst FBOs for fuel or other sevices. Only one flight school at ORH. No restaurant or anything regarding social clubs for pilots to gather

• Participate with the local group that has been trying to create a Robert Goddard park in the vicinity of the airport

• As a renter pilot, these (Atmosphere, fees, fear, ramp access) don't appear to impact me on a day-to-day basis.

• More official, ie city, emphasis on GA since it doesn't look like the airlines are interested in ORH

• Participate in functions with groups / associations at the local airport

• Note on pancake breakfast - I would provide labor

• Additional meetings should be specific committee meetings, (not general membership)

• ORH needs a wash-pad. Hanscom has one. No charge. Flyin, hose available.

• ORH needs signs, phone, restroom access, available 7x24. How to exit/enter after hours, etc. Security should monitor CTAF after hours and provide guidance on how to exit.

• Attend the Amity ground school to talk up WAPA to students. This may get some new blood who would be candidates for mentoring.

• WPI is planning an Alumni fly-in for Sept. 2003. Maybe WAPA could be involved with this in some way.

• Which fees are Swissport and which are set by the airport. We need to understand this further.