[JYO] Fwd: IMPT Dominion Power Powerlines -- Impact on Leesburg Airport Pilots?

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Ed,
 
You may recall I contacted you last Friday afternoon (via Instant  Messaging) 
about an issue that may hold some interest to you as a pilot.  I  am sorry I 
was unable to contact you, as promised, this past weekend.  I  was given your 
name by Steve Murphy, another private pilot who has recently  relocated his 
aircraft to , and now flies out of, Leesburg Airport.
 
I imagine you are likely a local resident, and as such, you may be familiar  
with the current debate going on in Western Loudoun County concerning the  
construction of the powerlines to which I am referring.
 
In fact, this evening there will be a public hearing at the Loudoun County  
Offices on this very subject.  All of which brings me to my point:  It  would 
seem that the Leesburg Airport (meaning the management, as employees of  the 
Town of Leesburg) have taken little or no interest in the impact of these  
powerlines on the pilots based at the facility.  This perplexes me for  several 
reasons.
 
1) the powerline poles are 120 feet in height, and the current recommended  
route has them running only 50-100 feet outside of the "buffer zone" (probably  
not the correct term) that the airport requires to be obstruction free at the 
 southern end of the runway.
 
2) that same recommended route has a 120 foot tall tower planned along the  
high point of the ridge along Hogback mountain approximately 2 miles due west 
of  the airport.  The math, in short form goes something like this:
    - Northern end of Leesburg runway at an elevation  of approximately 385'
    - High point of Hogback mountain in the area I am  discussing has an 
elevation of 614' 
    - Utility pole planned at 120' in height at or very  near that same high 
point
    - Accordingly, the top of this proposed obstruction  will be at a height 
of 734'
    - This same location is clearly in the area where  Class B pilots have a 
1,500" flight ceiling
    - Pilots must remain 500" above the highest  obstruction
    - Pilots will have to maintain minimum  altitude of 1,234' while 
traversing the ridge
 
    ==> Therefore, construction of the  monopoles at this location will 
create a viable flight envelope of only  266'
 
There is much more to discuss regarding this matter, and I would welcome a  
direct conversation with you should you wish to speak.  My main interest at  
this point is whether or not any of the above represents a concern to you, or  
your fellow pilots.
 
I can be reached at 703 362 0591 via cell if you would like to talk.   If 
there is a concern on your part, I would love to discuss.
 
Regards,
 
Mike Rombach
 
MIKE ROMBACH
VP,  Product Marketing
8MikeRombach@xxxxxxx (703-265-1599 Ê208-977-6425 (eFax)





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