FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here's a list of frequently asked questions about the airports in general, the powers given to an airport board, and the powers retained by Fiscal Court.

Q  Can property be seized for airport development expansion?
Kentucky Revised Statues (KRS), Chapter 183.133 gives an Airport Board or any governmental unit (Fiscal Court) the power to condemn land.  There is a Kentucky Supreme Court ruling that appears to take this power away from an Airport Board.  However, the board can simply ask the Fiscal Court to seize the property—if required.  To date, the Fiscal Court has not gone on record to rule out this possibility.

Q  How did the Airport Board get started?
In 2005, the Oldham County Chamber of Commerce formed a subcommittee to examine the possibility of building an airport. This was done at the request of then Judge/Executive Mary Ellen Kinser.  During 2006, this sbucommittee became more formalized as an airport committee.  Judge/Executive Duane Murner appointed himself as a member of the airport committee in January 2007, the same month he took office.  In March, 2007, Murner formally appointed an Airport Board, thereby removing himself from directly influencing airport board proceedings. 

Q  Who appointed the current Airport Board, and what powers does it have?
The key issue here is that airport board members are appointed by the Oldham County Judge/Executive, a power given by KRS, chapter 183.132.   Therefore, the board is only accountable to the judge/executive.  The powers of an Airport Board are set by KRS chapter 183.133 & 183.135, and include: The power to acquire land; the power to establish, maintain, and operate an airport; the power to borrow money and use any airport property and facilities as collateral; and the power to build buildings, purchase airport-related equipment

Q  Can a separate and unrestricted airport tax be levied on our property?
Yes!  KRS, chapter 183.134 states, “…Any governmental unit may exclude the [airport] tax from consideration in calculating the compensating tax rate…

Q  Do general aviation airports have the same security requirements as commercial airports?
No!  In 2004, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued Information Publication A-001, Security Guidelines for General Aviation Airports.  In the executive summary for this publication, the TSA clearly states, “The document does not contain regulatory language, nor is it intended to suggest that any recommendations or guidelines should be considered a mandatory requirement.”

Q  Isn’t this airport just another high risk investment of our tax dollars?
General aviation airports are rarely self sufficient.  The cost of maintaining an infrastructure to support an airport is a cost that the county will have to pay—year after year.  If the airport cannot generate enough revenue to support day-to-day operations, then that is an additional cost passed on to the taxpayer.  In a GRA Inc. report to the Shelby County Airport Committee, it was found that 13 airports (including Bowman Field) rely heavily on federal, state, or private grants in order to meet their annual budgets.  None of this money is guaranteed!

Q  Are other general aviation airports in/near the Greater Louisville area financially sound?
Bowman Field and Clark County Regional airport are both facing financial challenges.  They are the two largest general aviation airports in the area, and will directly compete with an Oldham County airport.  NOA is currently looking at some of the financial indicators at both Bowman Field and Clark County, and will give you an update when more information is available.

Q  How many airplanes will be based at an Oldham County airport?
The Entran study forecast that 105 aircraft would relocate to Oldham County in the first year of airport operations.  Pilots who want this airport will say there are over 200 aircraft ready to leave Bowman Field alone!  However, NOA believes both numbers are highly optimistic.  The Entran study (and some pilots) failed to take into consideration the realities of market forces.  Both Bowman Field and Clark County airports will respond aggressively to maintain their share of aircraft.  That could mean reducing fuel prices, hangar rentals, or both.  Currently, there are only 69 aircraft registered in Oldham County, but based elsewhere.  There are no guarantees that all will re-locate to and Oldham County airport.  So, the true answer to this question is, “We really don’t know.”  An unbiased, objective analysis is needed.

Q  What is the “health” of general aviation?
Any general aviation airport depends on a large number of private pilots flying in order to generate revenue to pay for the airport.  There are indications that general aviation is indeed on the decline.  Here are the two most alarming facts:
- From 2003 to 2006, flying hours have dropped by nearly 3.2 million hours, a 12% decline.
- Since 1980, there has been a 28% decline in certificated pilots.  Of particular note is a 13% drop in the number of private pilots.  Private pilot certification is the first step in a commitment to flying on a long-term basis. 

Q  Will general aviation airports increase pollution levels in Oldham County?
The short answer is yes.  There will be increased air, noise, light, and environmental pollution introduced, that currently does not exist in Oldham County.  However, the problem is that the issue of pollution has been highly politicized, and studies are used by both sides to support their positions.  It is NOA’s opinion, however, that the pollution introduced by an airport is unacceptable.

Q  I have heard that aircraft still use gas that contains lead.  Doesn’t that cause a lead hazard?
Aviation fuel contains lead, and aviation is one of the last few areas where the EPA has failed to set a timetable for change to unleaded fuel.  The use of leaded aviation gasoline results in the emission lead contaminants.  Areas surrounding airports are especially contaminated, due to the high volume of air traffic.  However, lead contaminants can end up far from airports, due to wind patterns, and deposited in farm lands, streams, and surrounding neighborhoods.  So, Oldham County residents will face a greater exposure to lead, if an airport is built.

Q  Will an airport affect property values?
Again, the short answer is yes.  However, it is more difficult to determine an exact dollar amount.  There are studies which show the level of financial impact depends on how close your home is to the airport.  NOA has a group of real estate experts working on a detailed analysis of this issue.  We believe they have more expertise than the Airport Board has to conduct this study.

Q  Is general aviation flying safe?
That depends on who you ask.  If you ask a pilot, he or she will say yes, and have facts and figures to prove it.  If you ask the folks in Corona, California, where two aircraft recently collided and rained bodies and debris across a neighborhood, you wouldn't get the same answer.  So, safety is a subjective word.  What is safe to one person may be unsafe to another.

    NOA believes that there is a higher risk of accidents in general aviation flying, when compared to commercial aviation.  In fact, the general aviation accident rate is 80 times higher than commercial aviation.  The reason for this is clear: lower experience level of the pilots flying; more takeoffs and landings are performed (where the risk of accident is higher); less weather-tolerant aircraft (can't avoid the weather as easily as airliners); and limited cockpit resources and flight support