[JYO] Words from Jim Haynes...
- From: FlyboyEd@xxxxxxx
- To: jyo@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 9 Jun 2006 20:44:03 EDT
Another way of looking at Crosstrail
Every problem and situation has several sides and several potential
solutions. Key to any situation is having the correct information and the
real
facts. I respectfully ask that you consider the following in your
consideration
of the Crosstrail property adjacent to JYO:
The Leesburg Airport has a few problems - the largest of which is a huge
financial drain on the Town of Leesburg. The airport lost $537,000 in 2005
which was an increase from $501,000 in 2004. The Town Council is concerned
about
this. Some have asked me how this loss could be turned into a profit, or at
into least a breakeven situation. Their suggestion was that perhaps
increasing the personal property tax on airplanes to the same tax rate for
farm and
construction equipment, etc., charging landing fees and other user charges
might be a solution. I said I disagreed. My solution is Crosstrail.
Crosstrail will make it possible for companies that own business jets to
locate in the Class A office space that the Peterson Company is planning to
develop. Their executives and employees can live in Crosstrail, shop in
Crosstrail, and even walk or bike to work, eat in fine restaurants, and enjoy
entertainment. Think Reston Town Center or Petersonâs Fair Lakes
development.
Neither of these communities is near an airport, which market research shows
will
be a strong selling point to major corporations. These are the companies
that own and operate business jets. The Peterson Company has a Gulfstream.
Two hundred or even 300 small airplanes will never make the Leesburg Airport
profitable. A few business jets will. My business has given me the
opportunity to work with almost every major general aviation airport in the US
and
many smaller ones. I understand what works and what does not. I have been
following the Crosstrail development for over a year and have studied it
carefully. I am convinced it will be the biggest boost to the airport since I
negotiated the deal to bring the Flight Service Station to the airport the
early
1980s. The Flight Service Station will be gone in February.
The Peterson Companies does not want to see the airport stagnate or close as
some have suggested. The airport is a key part of their marketing plan.
Bringing major companies to our community will make the Leesburg Airport a
center for business aviation. No longer will we have to wait 16 years for
life-saving improvements like a glide slope and a control tower.
Through the fence operations can be very successful if managed correctly. I
have seen it work very well and not work well. I can say the same for
airport management.
Noise and safety are two other issues that are being misrepresented. As
pilots you know that you do not fly inside the Greenway on a downwind to 35.
Your downwind leg is west of the Greenway. An occasional plane may fly over
the airport to the downwind for 17, but this is rare and not the standard
pattern. These planes would be above pattern altitude and below the Class B
airspace. You also know that an off-airport landing or accident is extremely
rare. This has never happened on the Crosstrail property, at least in the
last
30 years that I can attest to. Lawn mowers in Crosstrail will make more noise
than airplanes. Noise contours compiled by the FAA confirm this.
I urge everyone who has any interest in the Leesburg Airport to spend the
time to study the facts as I have done. You are welcome to disagree with me,
but please do so with knowledge and not just with emotion and conjecture.
Finally a personal note - I spent 12 years of my life managing and
developing the Leesburg Airport on a full-time basis. I did it 24/7. It was
my only
job. I poured hundreds of thousands of dollars of my own money transforming
the airport from a bankrupt recreational airfield into an airport capable of
handling business jets. This airport is in my blood. No one wants it to
succeed more than I do. I will do everything I can to ensure success.
Jim Haynes
_jhaynes@xxxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:jhaynes@xxxxxxxxxxx)
(703) 777-4142
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