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United States Pilots Association |
The City Council of Branson, MO, met last night to once again vote on whether or not to allow a 25-story hotel to be built within 2.2 miles of the M. Graham Clark/Taney County Airport (PLK). Among the presenters, who appeared to be equally divided between pro and con, USPA VP for Communications (also MPA VP) JC Zalog spoke in behalf of the two organizations, focusing on the possible negative effect the structure would have on the airport.
Among JC's comments are the following:
"The proposed site of this building puts it 2.2 miles from the M Graham Clark/Taney County Airport. This proposed building could interfere with the airport’s airspace. If the airspace is affected, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) could take one or more of the following actions:
M Graham Clark/Taney County Airport could be closed.
Instrument Approaches could be shut down or removed. Instrument approaches allow aircraft to arrive at the airport during times of low visibility and/or low cloud cover.
Construction of the proposed building could be halted.
The proximity of this building to the Skaggs Hospital heliport may also prevent trauma patients from arriving by air from life flight helicopters.
Federal Aviation Regulation 77.13 requires submittal of FAA Form 7460 prior to “any construction or alteration of more than 200 feet in height above the ground…”.
It may be that this FAA 7460 study has already begun. If it has not, it must be completed prior to construction.
We request that the building permit for this 300’ building be contingent upon the FAA 7460 study finding no impact to the existing airspace or instrument approaches for the M Graham Clark/Taney County Airport.
The M Graham Clark/Taney County Airport is essential to the tourism and economy of Branson. This airport is the only General Aviation facility servicing the Branson area. Any restriction of its use would have serious and detrimental effects on the economy of Branson and the surrounding area."
The vote cast by Council members was tied, and was then broken by the Mayor who voted in favor of the construction.
Jan Hoynacki, Executive Director
United States Pilots Association