RENO STEAD AIRPORT ASSOCIATION Meeting Minutes
January 14, 2014
The Reno Stead Airport Association (RSAA) monthly meeting was called to order at 5:15p at the new Reno-Stead Terminal Building, Conference Room, January 14, 2014 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: Lew Gage, Mike Walsh, Terry Matter, RARA Representative, Steve Katzmann, RSAA liaison and member RTAA Board of Trustees, Mike Dikun, Reno-Stead Airport Manager. Board Member(s) absent: Lin Manning, Don Osborne, and Alby Redick. Guests/Members: Dean Schulze, COO RTIA, Robert Muerer, President of the Reno Tahoe Aviation Association, Mike Barrow, Carmen Gage, and John Parker, American Racing.
2. Minutes of Last Meeting: Approval of the Minutes of December 17, 2013 meetings was unanimous.
3. Financial Report: Cash on hand: $3573.66. Dave asked that all members be reminded that we are now seven 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. Webmaster Report: Tracy reported that he: Published 3 articles, deleted 14 SPAM registrations and updated the website software 9 times. The website had 241 unique visitors, averaging 2:25 each, and viewing 2+ pages per visit. The busiest day was January 13, 25 visits. Most visited pages, 757, were in order: For Sale, Aviation Medical Examiners, Hangar Availability, Airport Businesses, Calendar of Events, and fuel prices.
5. Membership Report: Currently there are 76 members.
6. RTS Manager’s Report: The Terminal Building will continue to be locked during non-business hours until all the security devices are operational, scheduled for the end of 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 now a reality as Nevada was chosen as one of six states to develop facilities to design, manufacture, and test fly UAVs. Interested companies are making inquiries into land and building space on the Reno-Stead Airport. Mike expects that, as things stand now, that there will no or very limited impact on RTS day-to-day operations. A few “work arounds” may be required as the UAV program matures.
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.
7. RTAA Trustee Liaison Report: Mr. Katzmann said that the FAA has made $4.3M in matching funds available to renovate Taxiway C and install edge way lighting. That is 93.5% of the costs to renovate the taxiway. The Board of Trustees are studying the proposal closely. No decision yet. Additionally, The Board of Trustees is studying a plan to purchase land south of the airport for aviation development, no details available at this time. For a complete list of current RTAA Trustees and their bios, go to www.renoairport.com/airport-authority/board-trustees).
8. RARA Trustee Liaison Report: Planning for the 2014 Air Race is proceeding as normal with an emphasis on raising the necessary funds. He gave an example of costs increases, insurance coverage before the 2011 crash was approximately $250K per event, this year $1.25M. Terry answered questions about the recent departure of the CEO saying when seeking funding, one must cut expenses where possible.
9. Guest Speaker: Tim Brill unavoidably delayed.
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 and the second on the Aviation Classics MIG Hangar. 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 WiFi 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.
12. General Discussion: President Hall 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.
13. Next Meeting: The next General Membership Meeting is scheduled for February 11, 2014, Reno-Stead Terminal Building Conference Room (upstairs).
14. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 6:34p.
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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.