RENO STEAD AIRPORT ASSOCIATION Meeting Minutes
December 17, 2013
The Reno Stead Airport Association (RSAA) monthly meeting was called to order at 5:15p at the new Reno-Stead Terminal Building, Airport Manager’s Conference Room, December 17, 2013, as follows:
1. Welcome and Attendance: Tom Hall, President, Ken Wiegand, Vice-President, Dave Miller, Treasurer, Dan Ross, Secretary, and Tracy Rhodes, IT Manager. Board Members: Lin Manning, Mike Walsh, Steve Katzmann, RSAA liaison and member RTAA Board of Trustees, and Mike Dikun, Reno-Stead Airport Manager. Board Member(s) absent: Don Osborne, Lew Gage, Alby Redick, and Terry Matter, RARA Representative. Guests/Members: Marily Mora, CEO RTIA, Dean Schulze, COO RTIA, Robert Muerer, President of the Reno Tahoe aviation association, Col Dan Waters, Reno-Stead ANG Base Commander, Ron and Lydia Kirby, and Andy Monroe.
2. Minutes of Last Meeting: Approval of the Minutes of November 17, 2013 meetings was unanimous.
3. Financial Report: Cash on hand: $3556.66. Dave asked that all members be reminded that we are now five months into the new membership year dues are past due. The new membership year began July 1, 2013 and ends June 30, 2014, dues are $20 per year. Dues can be paid: Check or cash by mail at:
Reno Stead Airport Association
5499 Alpha Avenue
Reno, NV 89506
or PayPal from the Website (www.steadusers.org), or cash/check to Dave Miller at the Miller Speed Sports hangar.
4. Membership Report: Currently there are 75 members.
5. RTS Manager’s Report: The Terminal was officially dedicated Monday December 16th at 10:00a. Mike said the Terminal dedication went very well with 50-75 people in attendance. The building will be locked during non-business hours until all the security devices are operational sometime in early January. At that time, the mission planning room and bath rooms will be accessible from the flight line side using a code. The code will be posted as previously located. There also will be an exit only to the front side of the building parking lot available from the mission planning room. Open WiFi is available in the building now. The new terminal will be made available during and after hours for training, seminars, and other activities. Contact the Airport Manager’s Office for details. The UAV project is moving along as expected. Nevada officials have “great confidence” that the state will make the final six list. Whatever state is selected, the state economic impact of $83B is anticipated.
Mike estimates that Stead is no more than 8-10 hours from full operation after a normal snowfall of 6-10 inches. Again, just as a reminder, current snow removal priorities are as follows: Fire lanes, runway 8/26, taxiway Alpha, taxiways between hangars, runway 14/32, taxiway Bravo, in that order. If individual circumstances dictate priority attention, Mike asks that you contact him as far in advance as possible.
6. RTAA Trustee Liaison Report: Mr. Katzmann said that the Authority has selected a law firm and a RTIA Attorney of Record to manage the Airport Authority’s legal matters, approved a 3 year lease for the Reno Air Racing Association, and a 5 year option for Dassult Falcon. See the following website for more complete information on Dassult Falcon’s Reno Facility: http://www.dassaultfalcon.com/en/CustomerService/worldwide-presence/Pages/Dassault-Aircraft-Services-Reno.aspx.
Nevada remains on the top 6 list of states vying for UAV development and testing. The decision is expected shortly. The FAA is charged by Congress to develop a plan to safely integrate UAV operations into the National Airspace. No military bases will be used but will participate in development and testing.
For a complete list of current RTAA Trustees and their bios, go to www.renoairport.com/airport-authority/board-trustees).
7. RARA Trustee Liaison Report: No report, time given to Ms. Mora.
8. Guest Speaker: Marily Mora CEO RTIA. Goals of her administration is: Increase Air Passenger Service, Increase Air Cargo Operations, Optimize General Aviation Operations, Economic Development of the Airport and surrounding Economic Sphere of Influence, and as always, good customer service.
9. Webmaster Report: Tracy reported that he: Published 5 articles, deleted 15 SPAM registrations and 2 SPAM comments on the Forum, updated website software 12 times. The website had 232 unique visitors, averaging 2:20 each, and viewing 2.2 pages per visit. The busiest day was December 4, 21 visits. 90 (28%) visits by mobile devices. Most visited pages, 708, were in order: Home page, For Sale, Aviation Medical Examiners, Hangar Availability, Airport Businesses, Meet the Members, Calendar of Events, Open House Notice, and Newsletter.
10. WiFi Proposal and Action: Robert Andrews, owner of Avant Wireless, will install two WiFi transmitters for the Stead Ramp; the first will be mounted on Dave Miller’s hangar shortly and the second on the Aviation Classics MIG Hangar thereafter. Robert expects that the Miller transmitter will cover the 08 Hammerhead and quite possibly extend WiFi coverage to the Rwy 14 Hammerhead also. The Aviation Classics transmitter will cover the Rwy 27, 32, and 14 hammerheads. This has been a year-long Safety of Flight initiative of your RSAA. The intent is to provide WiFi ramp coverage to members and transient pilots using portable tablets, handheld GPSs and aircraft EFIS systems at the Reno-Stead Airport to update weather, check NOTAMs, TFRs, and file flight plans. Mr. Andrews, a pilot himself, is providing the equipment at his cost and is installing that equipment free of charge. Alby Redick, a pilot and owner of Aviation Classics is graciously funding the purchase of the two WiFi transmitters. The RSAA will partially offset the costs of the internet subscriptions. Both transmitters will be password protected with the Aviation Classics password expected to be available on AWOS and at the gas pump. The Miller transmitter’s password will be made available to RSAA members. These transmitters are intended to be Ramp Access WiFi Only and coverage is not expected to extend to hangars located south of the parking apron. For those desiring their own personal high speed internet connection, please contact Robert Andrews at: robert@avantwireless.com/. The Board approved reimbursing Dave Miller $25 per month for the Wi Fi expenses, and set a policy of reimbursing him 50% of any future costs or increases
11. Newsletter Report: The Winter Newsletter will focus on aviation economic development and advancing the Northern Nevada
aviation business sector.
12. General Discussion: Tom reiterated that all Airport Authority Board Trustees and their Staff are always welcome and encouraged to attend the monthly RSAA meetings as are all association members and tenants-at-large. The next General Membership and Safety meeting is scheduled for TBD, location TBD.
13. Next Meeting: January 14, 5:15p location: Airport Manager’s Conference Room.
14. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:37p.
________________________
Herman D. Ross, Secretary
RENO STEAD AIRPORT ASSOCIATION(RSAA)MISSION STATEMENT
To represent the interests of all Tenants on the Reno-Stead Airport including Aircraft Owners, Fixed Base Operators, Aircraft Repair Facilities, United States Government Agencies and all parties of interest;
To ensure that all Tenants have the opportunity to speak with a united voice to the Reno Tahoe Airport Authority (owner of the airfield facility), the Federal Aviation Administration and the Local Governments relative to safe and affordable flying in Northern Nevada;
To enrich and promote the reputation of General Aviation within our community; and
To promote a “Good Neighbor” policy with the Nevada National Guard, support facility improvements that enhance the Tenant experience and encourage affordable services, fuel prices and hangar rentals from all service providers operating at the Reno Stead Facility.