AIRPORT
ANALYSIS
After you read the Analysis,
click HERE to read our evaluation
This report takes an objective look at
the Proposed Oldham County Airport Report (hereafter referred
to as the feasibility study). Simply
stated, the facts in the feasibility study do not support the
conclusions.
Executive Summary
In this report, you will find a discussion that
supports the following statements:
- The feasibility study primarily
uses a survey to determine the initial number and type of aircraft
that might be based in Oldham County. The survey simply
asks if a pilot would consider moving/basing his/her aircraft
to Oldham County. There is absolutely no commitment from
this type of survey, so there is nothing to lose by responding
positively. A more accurate determination of aircraft
basing would be to construct a “generic” Kentucky
airport, and adjust it for Oldham County population and median
family income variables.
- Sources of revenue—fuel
sales, hangar rental, and flight training operations—are
assumed to provide the bulk of the revenue to pay for the operating
costs of an airport. However, market forces will dictate
what can be charged for fuel, hangars, and flight instruction. The
general aviation pilot is very sensitive to price changes, and
will shop for the best rates. This will impact the airport’s
ability to dictate fuel prices and keep its hangars at 100% occupancy.
- One
of the weakest sections of this feasibility report is its business
user survey. Out
of 415 delivered surveys, only 5 aircraft owners (1%) said they
would use an Oldham County airport. Only one said he would
move his aircraft to Oldham County. All other responses
in this section of the feasibility study came from the same 5
surveys! Finally, all survey data came from businesses
already in Oldham County! Based on such a small survey
sample, it is impossible to extrapolate any conclusions on the
amount of revenue generated by corporate flying activity.
- There
are several items not adequately addressed in the feasibility
study, or not addressed at all. A
discussion of market response to an Oldham County airport is
missing. We will compete for aircraft with surrounding
airports. Each airport relies on its customer base to hopefully
cover most of the annual operating costs. Additionally,
no meaningful discussion concerning environmental impact of aircraft
is attempted. Finally, the first page of the
feasibility study attempts to sell the airport as a safety measure
for aircraft maneuvering over Oldham County. In fact, the
risk of an aircraft accident on Oldham County soil goes up considerably
once an airport is built.
- There
are some unfavorable trends in general aviation that must
be considered before building an airport: Since 2000,
there are fewer student pilots, private pilots, and commercial
pilots receiving certification. From
2003 to 2006, there has been a 3.2 million hour decrease in general
aviation flying, especially in single engine and multi-engine
piston aircraft. -OUR EVALUATION-
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