Coalition Weighs in on New Hangar

1. The light GA community does not seem to feel that MA’s existing T-hangar and ramp are “garbage”.  In fact, it appears to be a usable resource in high demand built with government funding at a location designated for light GA services.  MA’s actions may subject the County to FAA penalties.
2. MA’s failure to comply with NEPA regulations or obtain FAA approval before converting an aviation facility to storage and car-parking – all while claiming exemplary behavior – make it unwise to accept its other claims at face value.
3. MA claims that new hangars eliminate certain flights, but it was very careful to avoid stating that their facility’s level of overall operations has decreased or would decrease in the future.
4. MA is not sharing information sufficient to test their claims, including who uses their existing new hangar.  Without such data, the County can’t assess the value to Westchester-based businesses or analyze the additional flights the new based aircraft make that would offset any eliminated flights.
5. Once built, the airport has no way to constrict the use of a new hangar without running afoul of FAA regulations.  Even were MA to make good on its rosy flight projections, the County will have no ability to hold MA or future lessees to these pledges over time.  
6. The County cannot grant expanded hangar facilities to MA and expect it to end there.  FAA regulations mandate fair and non-discriminatory treatment of similarly situated airport operators, and multiple lessees have proposed expansions of their own.
7. The County can generate larger-scale solar energy and produce good construction and operation jobs at the airport without expansionary concessions to tenants.

George Klein

Steering Committee Chairperson

Coalition to Prevent Westchester Airport Expansion