RENO STEAD AIRPORT ASSOCIATION Meeting Minutes
March 11, 2014
The Reno Stead Airport Association (RSAA) monthly meeting was called to order at 5:15p at the Nevada Army Aviation Briefing Room, March 11, 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: Alby Redick and Don Osborne. Guests/Members: Marily Mora, President/CEO for the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority.
2. Minutes of Last Meeting: Approval of the Minutes of February 11, 2013 meetings was unanimous.
3. Financial Report: Cash on hand: $3637.56. 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. Membership Report: Currently there are 77 members.
5. RTS Manager’s Report: Taxiway C rebuilding project was approved by the RTAA Board of Trustees. Weed abatement is in full swing at the present time. Look for the spray trucks along the sides of the runways and overruns. The Collins Foundation B-17, B-24 and P-51 are expected shortly, see the Airport Manager for exact arrival time. Since the UAV announcement, 1 to 2 companies per week have made inquiries about business hangar/land for building availability. The Terminal Building will continue to be locked during non-business hours until all the security devices are operational, awaiting updated card reader. During normal business hours, the mission planning room and bath rooms will be accessible from the flight line side. The goal is to have the flight lounge available after hours by card lock (the same card issued to tenants) or 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 Building will be made available during and after hours for training, seminars, and other activities. Contact the Airport Manager’s Office for details. UAV activity over the last month has increased. Lease inquiries are showing greater detailed interest, a Range Control Manager has been assigned and his office will be on the bottom floor of the Terminal. He is expected to be in place before next month. 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 reported that the FAA has made $4.3M in matching funds (93.25% of the cost)available to rebuild Taxiway C and install edge way lighting. The Board of Trustees approved the proposal. There are currently 31 hangars available at the Reno-Tahoe Airport. 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: The Race insurance bill came last week, no price mentioned but Mike did say that Christmas came early for RARA. Planning for the 2014 Air Race is proceeding as normal. The current schedule of events is as follows: PRS is set for June 12-14 and Race Week is September 6-14 with all race aircraft on site NLT September 6.
8. Special Event: The business meeting ended early so the assembled RSAA could hear a “what we do” briefing by Col Dan Waters and immediately followed by a tour of the facility and a “up close and personal” look at the various helicopters used by the unit. The briefing and the tour was very impressive and President Hall thanked Col Waters for his time and efforts.
9. Webmaster Report: Tracy reported that he: Published 2 articles, added 4 items to the website calendar, deleted 12 SPAM registrations and updated the website software 5 times. The website had 317 unique visitors, averaging 1:48 each, and viewing 2 pages per visit. The busiest day was March 4, 31 visits. Most visited pages, 884, were in order: Home Page, For Sale, Aviation Medical Examiners, Hangar availability, Airport Businesses, Calendar of Events, and Newsletter.
10. WiFi Proposal and Action: Robert Andrews, owner of Avant Wireless, installed the first of two WiFi transmitters for the Stead Ramp and it is up and running. The first WiFi transmitter is mounted on Dave Miller’s hangar and the second on the Aviation Classics MIG Hangar. 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 after completion of initial testing. 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 next Newsletter will focus on the Reno-Stead Nevada Guard unit.
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 April 8, 2014, at the Terminal Building Conference Room.
14. Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 5:45p.
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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.