Flying high in Vernon

by Kate Bouey - CASTANET Dec 14, 2015 / 5:00 am

A report to city council says activity at Vernon Regional Airport has increased 37 per cent in the past five years and is expected to continue that upward trend. The report sets out four options for growth in a draft Vernon Regional Airport Master Plan, but the authors are cautious about any expansion of the sole runway.

-Option one focuses on maintaining existing airport assets, with improvements for safety and security reasons. Runway rehabilitation, the construction of a new terminal building, a new gate and signage would cost an estimated $986,400.
-Option two would go farther, also adding new hangars along Tronson Road, a new taxiway and a dedicated helipad.
-Option 2.b suggests a similar plan, as well as lengthening the runway to 1,219.2 m (4,000 feet) by diverting Vernon Creek through a new culvert. Total cost of those improvements is estimated at $7,227,300.
-Option three includes all of the above improvements, plus the expansion of Apron 1 toward the east and the acquisition of a number of properties to the east of the airport, between Okanagan Landing and Tronson roads at an estimated cost of $11,063,300.

While no recommendations are made, planners warn of any runway expansion.

“Extension of the runway to 4,000 feet has a doubtful viability,” state the report's authors. “At an estimated $5.2 million, the runway extension represents a very large investment for the community, and such an investment should provide a very clear benefit. “Based on the economic impact analysis for various development scenarios, the runway extension offers only a marginal increase in economic activity and would have a detrimental impact on surrounding neighbourhoods, particularly with regard to noise and development potential. “The current runway length also meets the needs of approximately 97 per cent of aircraft movements at the airport, and would fulfil most of the airport's needs for the next 20 years.”

Figures show 130 aircraft were based at the airport in 2014, most single engine, general aviation used by private owners. Within commercial use aircraft, Kal Aviation operates two turbo jet aircrafts, Okanagan Skydive operates two aircraft, and Coldstream Helicopters and Advantage Helicopters operate three helicopters each, the report says.

Planners stress this is a preliminary document to allow council input. It also comes ahead of a Jan. 15 meeting with the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) to discuss the draft proposal. The draft plan includes estimates for anticipated demand for services and requirements over the next twenty years, including:

61 per cent in increase in aircraft movements (15,482 movements in 2015 to 24,980 in 2035)
36 per cent increase in fuel sales (535,825 litres in 2015 to 730,496 in 2035);
37 per cent increase in the number of aircraft based at the airport (130 in 2015 to 178 in 2035)
90 per cent increase in the number of tie downs required (44 in 2015 to 84 in 2035)
35 per cent increase in land required for airport uses (45,137 square metres in 2015 to 61,078 square metres in 2035).