In early June, I attended the meeting of this committee which meets four times a year. The committee consists of two groups: "Users" (Those with planes and hangars) and "Public" (Mainly representatives from different agencies and jurisdictions affected by the airport.)
As part of the "public" segment, Eureka has two representatives: Supervisor Nancy Sauber and Commissioner Randy Wood. This membership allows Eureka to have some input on the airport, albeit in an advisory capacity only. At least there is a means of communication which is believed to be a good thing.
Following are the highlights of my notes taken at the meeting in June:
*33,000 sq. ft. hangar being built for corporate aviation arrivals and departures should be finished in September.
*Flight school is going well. 100 flights a week for schools. Planes available for rent.
*Fuel prices up significantly.
*Want to have restaurant on site. (Holmen Field)
*Some Lakeville-based businesses are back to Airlake from other airports.
*Citation 7 is the largest jet allowed on expanded runway. Many variables such as amount of fuel and number of passengers contribute to runway length needed for safe takeoffs and landings.
*Slowing demand for hangars.
*A portion of 225th to be paved in conjunction with runway construction.
*Runway length is 4,850 ft. Asked about expanding further 150 ft. to get to 5,000. Railroad on one end and Cedar Avenue on the other. Huge cost to move Cedar was proposed before. 5,0000 ft. recommended minimum length for safe takeoffs and landings for all light corporate jets.
*MAC update-Lake Elmo runway should be done by August.
*Reliever airports meeting in the summer.
*Like to have open house to strengthen airport/community connection.
*Lakeville Lions hosted breakfast there before during Pan-O-Prog: 1,800 served and 3,000 attended.*Need to verify that hangars are used at least 50% for aviation use. (FAA requirement.) If not, the lease will not be renewed. Lease renewals are about every five years. Hangar inspections coming up.
*Use MACNOMS as flight tracker.
*To provide private viewing area and picnic table.
*Next meeting is September 8. Open to the public.
Below you will find links to the resources that were discussed in the meeting:
Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) main website: https://metroairports.org/
MAC Community Connection: https://metroairports.org/community-connection
MAC FlightTracker: https://macnoms.com/
MAC Interactive Reports: https://metroairports.org/community-connection/aircraft-noise
Airlake Airport (LVN) Aircraft Viewing Area location: https://goo.gl/maps/mg21ZKcyYaXDDC8k6
Civil Air Patrol: https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/
Lakeville Lion’s Club: https://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/lakevillemn/index.php
Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Eagle Flights for adults: https://www.eaa.org/eaa/learn-to-fly/introductory-flights-for-free
EAA Young Eagles for youth at LVN: https://chapters.eaa.org/vin25/young-eagles
Aloft Flight School at LVN: https://www.aloft-aviation.com/
