Runway plan will make airport safer

This letter is in response to Mr. Blake's letter in Sunday's Daily Bee about the runway at Sandpoint Airport. Yes, there is a plan to move the runway to the west by 60 feet. That is only one of four options and it is called Alternative 4. Alternative 4 would also require that we close the runway for three months during the summer for construction.

For that reason and others the Airport Advisory Board is reviewing all the alternatives just not No. 4. I would like to see approval of Alternative 2b. This plan calls for no changes to the runway but would add a full length taxiway to the west side of the airport.

This allows Quest and other companies with hangers on the west side to gain access the runway without the need to cross the runway mid-field. I am sure you realize the dangers of mid-field crossings.

As for our airport, it is growing just as fast as the rest of Bonner County. Flight operations are up including larger jets. Our airport needs to be prepared for future growth. Quest Aviation is manufacturing a wonderful state of the art aircraft right here in Sandpoint. Airports bring jobs and tax revenues to Bonner County and we all need to stand behind our airport.

All the alternatives require FAA approval and funding and approval of Bonner County. To say Alternative No. 4 is our only option is not correct.

As for FAA spending, I'd rather our aviation tax dollars be spent here in Bonner County instead of Miami and San Francisco. We need to upgrade our airport, approaches, AWOS and remote communications equipment, just to name a few.

Being an airline pilot for 34 years I realize the importance of airports, large and small. I am sure you remember the recent tsunami in Indonesia, it was the local airport that came to the aid of thousands. It is the first place people turn when local infrastructure fails on a large scale. Airports help local communities with disaster relief, border patrol, medical flights, forest fires, flight instruction and overnight mail just to name a few.

If you would like to know more please attend the Airport Advisory Board meetings which are held the third Monday every month at the courthouse.

SOL PUSEY

AAB Member

Sagle