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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25.05.15 - Minutes, Hag Regional AirportHagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2025 Page 1 of 4 HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL AIRPORT ADVISORY COMMISSION Minutes of the Open Meeting May 15, 2025 The Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) held a public meeting on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the Hagerstown Regional Airport Terminal Conference Room, 18434 Showalter Road, Hagerstown, Maryland. Commission members present: Austin Colby (Chair), Curtis Berry (Vice Chair), Laurence Gross, George Meyer and ex-Officio County Commissioner Randall Wagner. County staff members present included Andrew Eshleman (Director of Public Works), Neil Doran (Airport Director), Giselle Butt (Office Manager) and David Douglas (Administrative Assistant). CALL TO ORDER Austin Colby called the meeting to order on May 15, 2025, at 3:10 pm. CITIZEN’S PARTICIPATION Michael Mooers and Gerald Zimmerman, T-Hangar tenants at Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR), were present questioning the justification for the 3% increase in T-Hangar rent for FY26. Mr. Mooers is asking for better communication between tenants and HGR regarding these rent increases. Mr. Mooers also had concerns regarding the condition of the asphalt (non-movement area) around the T- Hangars and the conditions of some of the bi-fold T-Hangar doors. Mr. Mooers describes the asphalt around the T-Hangars as degrading with potholes and cracks which have created Foreign Object Debris (FOD). He would like the airport to provide further servicing, upgrades and preventive maintenance on some of these bi-fold T-Hangar doors. Mr. Mooers further stated that he disagrees with the 3% increase in T-Hangar rent and suggests a 6% decrease in rent. Mr. Doran, Airport Director, addressed Mr. Mooers concerns regarding the asphalt conditions by stating there are plans using Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to rehabilitate the paved lanes between the T-Hangars. Tom Riford, Vice President of Rider Jet Center, spoke about various interviews and news articles featuring RJC including:  CNN was at the Rider Jet Center (RJC) on April 24, 2025, filming the Cirrus aircraft demonstrating the “Safe Return” program. This is the first autonomous safety system approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in which this technology allows planes to safety land themselves without pilot intervention.  The B-29 DOC History Restored Tour will be held at the Hagerstown Aviation Museum (HAM) from May 27th through June 2nd. The B-29 DOC and a P-51 Mustang Gunfighter will be on display and will be providing ride experiences and cockpit tours. (www.b29doc.com)  Aerospace and Defense Review interviewed Ben Rider, Owner, President and CEO of RJC, for an article naming Rider Jet Center a top FBO in the country. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2025 Page 2 of 4  PR Newswire had a press release celebrating South Mountain Aviation’s one-year anniversary as an aircraft maintenance and avionics company at the RJC.  Business and Commercial Aviation Magazine was at the RJC interviewing the staff regarding the 15-year relationship between RJC and LifeNet 81 Air Ambulance (Helicopter service). Planning is continuing for the Aviation Career Expo to be held on November 7th and the 17th annual Hangarfest to be held on September 20th. Mr. Riford also congratulated Mr. Leatherman on his appointment to the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County (BOCC). APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Mr. Gross and seconded by Mr. Berry to approve the minutes of the April 10, 2025, meeting. The motion passed unanimously. AIRPORT DIRECTOR’S REPORT Neil Doran, Airport Director, provided his report including that between May 6th-8th the airport completed its annual Part 139 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification inspection. The staff won an Excellence in Training award from the American Association of Airport Executive’s “ANTN Digicast” for staff and tenants completing 250+ online training programs. In June, Mr. Doran will be attending Jumpstart, an Air Service Development Conference, in Indianapolis. Mr. Doran will have meetings with Breeze Airways and Landline. Mr. Doran is also hoping to schedule a meeting with Allegiant. Mr. Doran wanted to ask for support from the AAC and the BOCC for consensus to offer to discuss during his meetings at the conference and to later develop a local Air Carrier Incentives Program (ACIP). This program allows airport sponsors to offer incentives to attract new airlines to begin service at the airport and to incentivize current carriers, such as Allegiant, to add new routes and destinations. These incentives could include waiving terminal rent, landing or ramp fees and/or having local, non-airport-sourced funds committed and available to reimburse any new entrant airline for their qualifying start-up marketing expenses during the first two years of service. Mr. Doran spoke with Dan Spedden from the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) regarding his support of the airport. He mentioned a willingness to go before the BOCC to ask for some increase in in the local hotel/motel tax dollars available for airline support. For instance, the initial $50,000 committed to attract Allegiant airlines has not changed since 2008 and dollar for dollar buys less than it once did. Perhaps this annual $50,000 could be increased to $80,000 to reflect cost inflation. These funds could be used for marketing efforts to assist the incumbent airline and/or also to attract new airlines to the airport. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2025 Page 3 of 4 Mr. Doran also provided an update on various projects around the airport:  The airfield painting and rubber removal project has been completed.  The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA) expansion project is moving forward. Consultants were out on May 14th to collect soil samples, and their findings will be submitted to the FAA and the Maryland Department of the Environment for their review. This is part of the environmental documentation needed to complete the final, NEPA steps in the federal approvals process.  Airport staff is cleaning up storm damage and working on potential insurance claims due to the high winds experienced a few weeks ago.  The design phase of the Terminal Expansion Project is now nearing completion.  The bidding process for the Digital Air Park Sign and NW Utilities Projects is complete, and construction of both projects is expected within Calendar Year 2025. Mr. Doran also spoke with Ashish Solanki, from the Maryland Aviation Administration, who stated HGR may be eligible for an MAA grant to cover 75-80% of the cost to complete a new siting study for a replacement Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) facility. The FAA recently determined that the previous Siting study completed in 2016 is now too old. The Governor ‘s office has also taken an interest in this project which could help accelerate the funding and scheduling of this project. HGR is also continuing a strong marketing push during the months of April, May and June 2025. The airport is working with Volaire Marketing, Ogden Digital and WVRC radio. The Washington County Marketing & Public Relations department is also using their own separate marketing funds to promote the airport. Shannetta Griffin, the new Executive Director/CEO of the Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA), is planning a tour of the airport soon. Allegiant released their flight schedule through mid-November and there is a modest increase in flights over the next few months. The commission then had a general discussion about appointing a new member to the AAC due to the vacancy left by Mr. Leatherman who had been recently appointed to the BOCC. AIRPORT OPERATIONS REPORT Mr. Bolanowski was unable to attend the meeting. In his absence, Mr. Doran provided an update that the airport passed a recent Allegiant inspection with no issues and that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) inspection is scheduled for June. Mr. Doran also wanted to share with the commission that he receives numerous emails praising the great work of the airport’s Airline Station Leader Tina Smith. Hagerstown Regional Airport Advisory Commission Meeting Minutes of May 15, 2025 Page 4 of 4 AIRLINE SERVICES UPDATE Ms. Smith was unable to attend the meeting. No update given. COMMISIONER UPDATE Mr. Wagner, County Commissioner, deferred his time to Mr. Leatherman. Mr. Leatherman gave parting remarks stating it was a pleasure for him to serve on the Airport Advisory Commission with such a great group of people. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT UPDATE Mr. Horowitz was unable to attend the meeting. No update given. AAC MEMBER UPDATES Mr. Colby informed the board that the Hagerstown Aviation Museum (HAM) had an invitation to host the B-29 DOC History Restored Tour from May 27th through June 2nd. The B-29 DOC along with a P-51 Mustang Gunfighter will be conducing flights for three days during the event. The 51st Annual East Coast Military Vehicle Rally will also be held during that time on May 30th and May 31st. Both events are expected to draw large audiences. An Open Airplane Day & EAA Young Eagles Flights will also be held this weekend. The US Air Force National Museum completed a site survey and provided HAM with the recommendation needed to move forward in the certification process. This should allow the museum to receive a Fairchild A-10 aircraft. Museum representatives with also be attending the annual Oshkosh air show at the end of June. ADJOURNMENT Motion made to adjourn by Mr. Gross. Motion was seconded by Mr. Berry. The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.