Surprise Retirement Party for Vic Johnston

Sunday November 5 at 2:00pm

• There will be a surprise party for Vic Johnston in John Gill’s hanger.
• It will be a potluck so please bring a dish to pass.
• You will need to bring your own service (plates etc.)
• Drinks will be provided.
• Please invite those you think may want to come celebrate with us.
• Remember, it is a surprise. So don’t say anything to Vic if you see him

8D4 RUNWAY PICS

President’s Message - November 2006

MESSAGE FROM PAUL KOVALAK

I would like to let you know about a proposed tower that would be dangerously close to instrument approaches into 8D4. I am attaching a letter (page 2) I sent to the MDOT aviation and to the FAA. We are encouraging all pilots to send letters to these two agencies with their concern.

The addresses are:
Federal Aviation Administration
Great Lakes Region
Air Traffic Division, AGL-520
2300 E. Devon Ave.
Des Plaines, IL 60018
Linn P. Smith
Michigan Department of Transportation
Bureau of Aeronautics and Freight Services
2700 East Airport Service Drive
Lansing, MI 48906-2100
All letters or communications should reference the following:

FAA Airspace Case # 2006-AGL-6153-OE
Paul C. Miller - Sparta Airport, Sparta, MI

Paul Kovalak
cell: 616-240-4289
p k o v a l a k @ c i t y s i g n e r e c t o r s . c o m

Paul's Letter

Federal Aviation Administration
Great Lakes Region
Air Traffic Division, AGL-520
2300 E Devon Ave
Des Plaines, IL 60018

Re: FAA Airspace Case # 2006-AGL-6153-OE
Paul C. Miller – Sparta Airport
Sparta, MI

Linn P. Smith:

As the president of the Sparta Area Pilots Association with over 60 pilot members, I am writing this letter to voice our concern in this matter.

It would appear that this tower is within the airspace designated for the VOR-A approach into 8D4. Roughly speaking, it is about 3.55 miles from the end of the runway with a tower height of 1124 feet. This is within the area inside of the EATUN intersection, 4.7 miles from the end of the runway. The approach after EATUN allows a MDA of 1360 feet.

This proposed tower represents an obstruction with a clearance of less than 250 feet on the approach.

Please use this letter to voice our concern over this proposed tower and its possible impact on the only approach available to most of us at 8D4. If the tower is installed as proposed, it could create a very dangerous situation.

I can be reached on my cell phone at 616-240-4289 to answer any concerns or comments.


Paul Kovalak
President,
Sparta Area Pilots Association
Paul C Miller Airport
156 East Division
Sparta, MI 49345

Next Meeting 5-24-06

When: Wednesday May 24th, 2006 at 7pm

President’s Message - May 2006

MESSAGE FROM PAUL KOVALAK

Do you ever hesitate about going into controlled airspace? Don’t know what to say or how to say it without sounding like an idiot? What the heck is Clearance Delivery anyway? For whatever reason you don’t go into towered airports or use ATC services, these services really do make for safer filing and open up additional opportunities.

Grand Rapids ATC controllers have agreed to come to our May 24th meeting to talk to us about tower and ATC operations. They will put on a short PowerPoint presentation and then have a question and answer period to go over any ATC subject you would like to talk about. This is a great opportunity to get to know your local controller and find out the answers to all those questions and more.

Airport runway update

Last month I had the opportunity to sit in on the pre-bid meeting between the bidding contractors and MDOT Aviation, the engineers and designers, the village, and Vic. All of the bid documents were reviewed and questions answered. It was good to see so much interest in our little project by so many quality contractors. Several points to bring to your attention:

1. Tree removal is a very large part of this project

2. The runway will be closed during part of the 90 day contract period and we will NOT be able to fly from Sparta

3. The runway will slope up to the west with a difference of about 30 feet from end to end.

4. The direction will change to 7 - 25

5. During construction, the runway will be open part of the time and there will be construction equipment to watch for.

6. There will not be a parallel taxi way in this phase

7. Plan on being closed during parts of August, September, and October.

I will keep you posted as to when the contract is let and when construction is to start so that we have a much time to move our aircraft as possible.

Airport Managers position update.

The Village is getting a lot of interest in the Managers job. I understand that multiple calls are coming in every day to enquire about the job. They have also received several quality, qualified applications. I hope the Village will allow us to sit in on the interviews. Please let me know if you would be willing to attend.

Membership:

If you haven’t paid your dues yet, please do. I think it’s the best $10 you can spend to help keep your airport a fun place to keep your aircraft. Even if you don’t have an aircraft at the moment, what a great way to stay in touch and bum a ride once in a while.

We’re looking for ideas for future meetings. Please let me know.

Paul Kovalak
cell: 616-240-4289
p k o v a l a k @ c i t y s i g n e r e c t o r s . c o m

Meeting Minutes, 4-24-06

Wednesday, April 24th, 2006 at 7pm

Meeting was called to order by Paul Kovalak at 7:10.

No minutes were read or approved due to loss of minutes during a computer crash.

The Treasurers report was given by Paul Zimmer, moneys in checking were $734.87.

It was brought up that we still need to get bylaws written and approved. Marv Weinrich had assembled some bylaws that could be used as a guide.

New officers for the year 2006 were voted on. All present officers will remain with the exception of Mark Raymond for Vice President. Dorn Jaffas volunteered and was accepted for that position.

Dues for the year was discussed and a decision for it to remain at $10 was voted on and accepted.

Skip Meyers, who is head of the Sparta village airport board and Sandy Keech-Chambliss who is a member of the village council and head of the hiring board, attended the meeting to answer questions and get our views on what qualities were needed in the new airport manager. Some requirements that all parties agreed on were
1. be a pilot
2. be a village employee
3. understand general aviation
4. be able to write grant applications

Work on the runway should start mid-July with the actual airport closure being 45 to 60 days starting in August. No decision has been made as to what if any compensation will be given to pilots with hangers on the field for loss of use.

There was a discussion of whether we wanted to sell hotdogs and drinks during the RC air show again this year. A decision was made to do so and volunteers were sought to help plan. Kathy Hakeem volunteer to be in charge.

Meeting adjourned at 8:17pm

Important Meeting 4-17-06

MESSAGE FROM
THE ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

WHEN: Monday, April 17th, 2006 at 7pm

This next meeting is very important for all of us to attend. At this meeting, we will elect new officers and discuss upcoming events.

However, the most exciting agenda item is discussing the future airport manager with the Village. Sandy, the Chair of the Selection Committee and Skip, the Airport Committee Chair have asked if they could attend out next meeting to get to know us and to get our ideas and comments as related to selecting a new airport manager.

I am very pleased that they want to meet with us and listen to us!

For this reason alone, we need as many members as possible to attend this meeting. I hope each and everyone of you can make it.

Hope to see you there.
Paul Kovalak

PS: If you are unable to attend , please call me or e-mail me with any comments that you may have in referance to what qualities the new airport manager should or should not have.

Paul Kovalak
cell: 616-240-4289
pkovalak@citysignerectors.com

Board Meeting 2/6/06

The next SAPA Board Meeting is on February 6, 2006 at 7:00pm