Willow Run airport is in trouble

[Porky]

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090915/BIZ/909150322/1001


The future of the airport is unknown.

 

[LR25]

YIP would be a far better place in this down economy if one of the biggest operators, USAJet would have been smarter in business, not to mention alot more pilots, mechanics, office personel, etc,.

But to do that, your goodtime lunch buddies would of had to bring in the talent, which inturn would directly threaten thier very own existence, sort of a catch 22. So it was better for CH and crew to just do status quoa and see if they could ride on pure luck alone. I'm sure the uppers at this point are doing ok even in this downturn, but others that were directly effected by the poor decision making are probobly not fairing so well. Porky, even you had to know you couldnt ride thier shirt tails forever.

 

[PUNISHER]

That sucks! Where will pilotyip go after they turn his home into a Home Depot or a Wall mart? He will be like the forest creatures when the loggers come in and cut all the trees down.

 

[pilotyip]

1. Below is a message from David D. Maria, the Willow Run Airport Director:
“There was a news article in the in the press on Tuesday regarding the future of Willow Run Airport, Wayne County Airport Authority. The current economic climate has brought about many challenges to the Airport and our tenants. The tone of the article indicated that the Airport Authority was considering closing Willow Run. In response to the article, our CEO Lester Robinson provided the following statement:

"In late spring, Airport Authority senior management met to review our strategy for Willow Run Airport and determined that closure of the airport was not a viable option for the foreseeable future. With the budget we have proposed for Willow Run in fiscal year 2010, we believe that the airport will soon approach the break-even point."

2. Here are few other facts that our esteemed attorney discovered as he looked into the issue:

a. The airport has received and continues to receive federal funds and each funding agreement carries the requirement that the airport remain open. The County cannot unilaterally decide to close the airport.

b. The FAA would have to agree to a closing only after that agency determines that the General Aviation community would not be harmed. They would also need to conclude that interstate commerce would not be affected. That will be difficult and time consuming given the T-Hangar population on this airport and the difficulty and cost associated with Metro Airport for General Aviation. Further, everything this company does involves interstate commerce.

If Wayne County elected to close Willow Run, it would take years to get that done. In the meantime, business leaders at the YIP would certainly take action long before a planned closure. If the airport closed, jobs and the associated tax revenues would be driven out of Wayne County. Ann Arbor and Detroit City airports are surrounded by residents who will not stand for airport expansion and they are wholly unsuited for this airports population. Jobs and tax revenues would most likely migrate to Oakland County or Toledo, Ohio, neither of which are politically acceptable.

BTW USA Jet is bring back a 3rd DA-20 to add to the growing activity at what was once the world's largest airport in terms of poured concrete. over 38,000 feet of runway by 150' most likely built for the B-32 which was most likely to follow the B-24 if the England fell.

 

[GittinFatter]

Back in the 80's and 90's when Willow Run was busy 24/7, we needed the long runways for the hub operation and auto charters. We had every model DC-8 coming and going through every kind of weather; some legal, some not; and then the various widebodies showed up through all kinds of weather. We sure could have used some more pavement then. Now that the airport is basically dead, we get the runwway extensions. WTF?

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

The rwy extension started 2 or 3 years ago.

cliff
NBO

 

[pilotyip]

Longer RW

Back in the 80's and 90's when Willow Run was busy 24/7, we needed the long runways for the hub operation and auto charters. We had every model DC-8 coming and going through every kind of weather; some legal, some not; and then the various widebodies showed up through all kinds of weather. We sure could have used some more pavement then. Now that the airport is basically dead, we get the runwway extensions. WTF?

Michigan State Senator Bruce Patterson killed a deal in the 90's to extend RW 23L/5R to 10,000'. He promised the homeowners in nearby Canton Twp that he would keep these nasty, noisy airplanes from disturbing their sleep at night. He won and YIP lost business as operators moved to other airports to support their operations. There is a plan to extend old RW 27R to 9,700, with the change of RW 27L to taxiway "H" old 27R is now just plain old 27. The RW is supposed to be extended 2,200’ to the east and will be mostly a west T/O runway only. There will be no straight in approaches to the extended 27 due to the proximity of KDTW. BTW KYIP is still a great Warbird airport because is has RW’s in six directions, great for avoiding severe X-winds in a tail dragger.

 

[carl p]

Man, I remember when that place was hoppin back in the day. Spent far too much time going between YIP and the Super 8 doing GM charters for the Hawk.

 

[100-1/2]

LR25-

Please, take a grammar class before further postings. Redneck or Cargo Pilot; I cannot tell, either way it likens unto one of those people [still] proudly displaying an Obama-Biden '08 bumper sticker while the country is full throttle with 40 degrees of brown-side showing in the AI. In simpler terms, you are almost proud to embarrass the rest of us.

100-1/2

 

[Victor Meldrew]

2. Here are few other facts that our esteemed attorney discovered as he looked into the issue:

a. The airport has received and continues to receive federal funds and each funding agreement carries the requirement that the airport remain open. The County cannot unilaterally decide to close the airport.

Thats exactly what they said about Chicago Meigs! Didn't stop the commie Daley from making his waterfront parkland though.

 

[Pilot Doc]

Thats exactly what they said about Chicago Meigs! Didn't stop the commie Daley from making his waterfront parkland though.

Meigs had not received federal funds and so the city was not obligated to keep it open. All they had to do was give notice to the FAA of the closure. (They didn't and got some slap on the wrist fine.)

 

[ableone]

LR25-

Please, take a grammar class before further postings. Redneck or Cargo Pilot; I cannot tell, either way it likens unto one of those people [still] proudly displaying an Obama-Biden '08 bumper sticker while the country is full throttle with 40 degrees of brown-side showing in the AI. In simpler terms, you are almost proud to embarrass the rest of us.

100-1/2

You are in no position to criticize the grammar of others.

 

[iaflyer]

a. The airport has received and continues to receive federal funds and each funding agreement carries the requirement that the airport remain open. The County cannot unilaterally decide to close the airport.

If the funds are repaid to the FAA, the obligation to keep the airport open goes away I believe.

 

[pilotyip]

$55m

If the funds are repaid to the FAA, the obligation to keep the airport open goes away I believe.

They have spend $55M, I don't know where they would get it to pay it back. Keeping the airport open is their cheapest option. Blue skies, dad

 

[Victor Meldrew]

When the price becomes right, Connie will buy it

 

[Porky]

When the price becomes right, Connie will buy it

This is something that could happen.

 

[pilotyip]

would that be bad?