Public Notice of Intent to File a Passenger Facility Charge Application at the
Wilmington International Airport
Located in
Wilmington, North Carolina
This Notice is Effective August 31, 2015
Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 158.24, the New Hanover County Airport Authority (“Authority”) (“Authority”), owner and operator of the Wilmington International Airport (“Airport”), hereby provides public notice of the Authority’s intention to file an application to use Passenger Facility Charges (“PFCs”) at the Airport (“PFC Application No. 7”) to fund, in whole or in part, certain PFC-eligible Airport Improvements.
The Authority intends to use a $4.50 PFC per revenue enplaned passenger to fund two PFC-eligible Project Work Elements (“PWEs”) with PFC revenue on a “Pay-As-You-Go” basis. The following sets forth the PWEs included in the Authority’s PFC Application No. 7, including a description of each project, justification for each project and the estimated total PFC revenue the Authority will use for each project.
PFC Application No. – Financial Information
With its PFC Application No. 6, the Authority received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) to undertake a program of capital improvements to be funded with a combination of Federal and State grants-in-aid, a County loan and passenger facility charge (“PFC”) revenues. The Authority is applying to the FAA for the authority to use PFC revenue being collected in PFC Application No. 6, as amended, to pay the PFC eligible costs associated with 2 project work elements (“PWE’s”) that were approved for Impose Only and for which the PFC’s of which are being collected. One of the PWE’s included in this PFC Application No. 7 is being funded with a combination of a Federal AIP grant and PFC’s and the other is being funded with PFC revenue only.
The proposed charge effective date for PFC Application No. 7 is October 1, 2019 and runs concurrently with PFC Application No. 6. The estimated Charge Expiration Date for PFC Application No. 7 is estimated to be August 1, 2024.
The public is invited to provide written comment through September 30, 2015 to:
Mr. Jim Morton
Director of Finance
New Hannover County Airport Authority
Wilmington International Airport
1740 Airport Boulevard
Wilmington, N.C. 28405-8062
Or by e-mail to jmorton@flyilm.com
PROJECT TITLE: PWE 6.26 Runway 24 Pipe Ditches – Construction
Type of Approval Requested
[ ] Impose Only [ X ] Use [ ] Impose and Use
Financing Plan
Project Cost: $5,080,000
Are there in hand or do you anticipate receiving AIP Grant Funds for this project?
In Hand: AIP Grant No. 3-37-0084-50 Amount $4,572,000
Future: Entitlement/Discretionary: Year:___________ Amount $
PFC Amount: $508,000
Project Description: This project will include the site work and construction of pipe ditches on the approach end of Runway 24. There are several large open drainage ditches beyond the end of Runway 24 that have grown up with vegetation which is interfering with the Runway 24 glide slope and Runway 6 ISL localizer antenna signal. Some of these ditches have previously been determined to be jurisdictional waters and wetlands.
Project Objective: This PWE is eligible pursuant to 158.15(a) and will preserve safety and capacity at the Airport and for the national air transportation system. Due to the nature of the open drainage ditches flora and fauna have become a safety issue. There is degradation of the glide slope and the Runway 6 ILS localizer antenna signal resulting from the dense vegetative growth interfering with aircraft landings. Furthermore, a wildlife hazard assessment identified the open ditches as wildlife habitat areas creating hazards such as runway incursions. Completion of this PWE keeps the Airport in compliance with Part 139 and to remain in compliance with14 CFR Part 171.261. Runway 6/24 is the longest and predominant runway and is 1,000 feet longer than Runway 17/35. If the glide slope is compromised, the Airport cannot land 8.9% of its flight with cross winds at 10.5 knots. If wind is coming from west to east aircraft must land on runway 24. In other words, with the glide slope compromised, the Airport could lose approximately 8.9% of its capacity in wind conditions.
Project Justification: The Runway 6-24 ILS was installed several years ago as in connection with the Runway 35 RSA/Threshold Displacement project. There are several large open drainage ditches beyond the end of Runway 24 that have grown up with vegetation which is interfering with the Runway 24 glide slope and Runway 6 ILS localizer antenna signal. These ditches, some of which have previously been determined to be jurisdictional waters and wetlands, are very difficult to maintain and have attracted wildlife. This project will mitigate the signal degradation, improve airfield conditions and maintenance, and reduce wildlife habitat areas on the approach to Runway 24.
PROJECT TITLE: PWE 6.27 Security Fence Replacement
Type of Approval Requested
[ ] Impose Only [ X ] Use [ ] Impose and Use
Financing Plan
Project Cost: $500,000
Are there in hand or do you anticipate receiving AIP Grant Funds for this project?
In Hand: AIP Grant No. ___________ Amount
Future: Entitlement/Discretionary: Year:___________ Amount $
PFC Amount: $500,000
Project Description: This project will replace a significant portion of the Airport perimeter security fence (not included under PWE 6.20) which is 6 feet high and installed in 1987. This new segment will be a height of eight feet plus three strands of barbed wire on top of the fence as required by the TSA. A description of the location of the perimeter security fence is depicted on the Airport property map, included Attachment “I” of this PFC Application.
Project Objective: This PWE is eligible pursuant to 158.15(a) and will preserve and enhance security at the Airport and for the national air transportation system. Completion of this PWE keeps the Airport in compliance with 14 CFR Part 139 and remain in compliance with its TSA approved Airport Security Program as required by 14 CFR 1542.
Project Justification: The perimeter security fencing is only 6 feet high, is old and in disrepair. This section of fencing needs to be replaced to comply with the Airport’s Security Program and TSA rules and regulations which require eight foot security fencing in accordance with the TSA directive. The Authority has coordinated with the TSA on the need and justification of the Project.
