Heightening the Role that GA Airports Play in Disaster Response …
… is the target of a new study being directed by professor James Smith of the American Public University System. Dr. Smith, who is also president of the airport/disaster consulting firm Smith-Woolwine Associates (www.swith-woolwine.com) , on Tuesday addressed a conference call hosted by the Airports Committee of the National Air Transportation Association.
As many in industry know, general aviation airports often play central roles in disaster response. Getting supplies and response personnel to an affected region can frequently be accomplished more directly by accessing a GA facility, rather than by using a larger commercial airport which may be much further away from where the aid is needed.
Mike France, director of regulatory affairs for NATA, says the association “is very pleased to be assisting Dr. Smith in his research into the role of general aviation airports during disasters. This type of research helps to quantify what those of us in the industry have known for a long time, that general aviation airports provide many benefits both economically and logistically to their surrounding communities.
“It’s very important for members of communities surrounding GA airports to understand the value that their airport can play in a disaster situation”
To accomplish his task, Dr. Smith plans to survey some 500 GA airports by March 1 while also conducting ten site visits to airports. Regarding the latter, he is looking for airport recommendations, using the following criteria …
… an airport that has had a successful or unsuccessful experience with a disaster mission;
… airports that want to get into the disaster response arena and are curious about what it will take; and
… airports that have encountered barriers to developing a disaster response regimen.
During a phone conversation following the NATA meeting, Dr. Smith asked for my thoughts on some airports that might be good for site visits, particularly in the West and Southwest. Thinking first from an infrastructure perspective, my recommendations were Alliance Airport north of Ft. Worth; Double Eagle Airport west of Albuquerque; and, Reid-Hillview Airport in San Jose.
Now he’d like to hear from the folks who are actually operating GA airports or tenant operations. He can be reached at (540) 763-3068 (office); (540) 239-1206 (cell); or jfsmith@swva.net.
Thanks for reading. jfi
Thank you, Dr. Smith, for initating this study. Its value can’t be overstated, especially if sufficiently comprehensive, per John’s comment! I echo Ed’s view that local authorities often do not fully comprehend the value of GA airlifts, not until the post-disaster debfief. Hence, pilots, CPA and GA airport managers are making an effort to further such awareness in the various quake-prone regions along the West Coast; a comprehensive study would lend valuable emphasis and credence.
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The California Pilots Association has been involved in promoting our GA Airports for use during disaster recovery since the 1989 Bay Area earthquake.
Many of our members worked as pilots and volunteers helping move supplies to Watsonville California, from various Bay Area GA Airports, which was closed off due to highway damage. We have since published, and distributed, a high level “Earthquake Airlift How To” guideline which can be used to organize local airport pilots and volunteers in the event of another disaster.
Unfortunately, the feedback we have received has been that local authorities are not interested in GA’s assistance. However, the many pilots and other volunteers that helped in the 1989 earthquake did what was needed without local government’s official blessing, and it worked very well. And, they are ready to do it again if required.
The url (www.swith-woolwine.com)in the article by John Infanger contains a typographical error. The correct URL is “www.smith-woolwine.com”.
Emailed Dr. Smith after reading this. I think I have some data and information for Dr. Smith on this topic from recent experiences here. I will try another way.
Washington State completed a Longterm Air Transportation Study (LATS) in July this year. Disaster relief and airports was a consideration, though most data was heresay and annecdotal. I am encouraged that a comprehensive and statistically sound study will be implemented. I hope the study will examine both POTENTIAL disaster relief roles, as well as HISTORICAL and ACTUAL roles played by airports in Western states and elsewhere.
Thank you, John, for explaining the study to the whole range of GA and certificated airports and for soliciting site visit candidates. I’ll keep you posted of progress on the study and the publication of the final report.