FAA Reviewing Airspace Request
Gladstone Partners, LP, a
Pennsylvania limited partnership has announced plans to open a
cargo airport near Humbolt Industrial Park in Hazleton, PA.
The FAA is currently reviewing the airspace request, agency
spokesman Jim Peters said Wednesday. Applicants must identify all
schools, churches and obstructions that fall within large
trapezoid-shaped sections at the end of each runway. The agency
will review potential obstacles such as buildings and power
lines.
"The size of the trapezoid varies and increases with the size of
the aircraft using the runway," he told Hazelton's Times
Leader.
Gladstone's application proposes a 13,000-foot-long asphalt
runway that's 200 feet wide, Peters said. "That would make it one
of the longest runways in the country," he added.
The FAA will also evaluate how potential new flight patterns
will mesh with the current air traffic system and whether aircraft
can take off and land safely from both ends of the runway.
Luzerne County Commissioner Greg Skrepenak said Wednesday that
he "loves the airport concept" but "owes it to the public to gather
more information before creating an authority." During a public
hearing earlier this month, concerns were raised about the rush to
create an airport authority.
"On the surface, everything looks so good, but we had to slow
ourselves down and make sure we proceed cautiously with optimism,"
Skrepenak said.
The proposed airfield was referred to as the Luzerne County
Authority Airport on the FAA application.
Gladstone told the FAA that
25 single- and 25 multi-engine aircraft would be based at the
facility, Peters said.
The FAA confirmed receipt of the application but won't estimate
a time frame for a decision, Peters said.
"It's driven by workload and resources," he said.
Once airspace clearance is granted, no other FAA permissions are
needed to construct the facility because the application indicates
that no federal funding will be sought for the $1.6 billion
project, Peters said.
However, a myriad of local and state level permissions will be
required. For example, a usage license must be obtained from
Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation's Bureau of Aviation to
indicate the facility meets an extensive series of regulations and
safety standards, said bureau representative Brian Gearhart.
Gladstone hopes to stimulate the Hazelton economy and predicts
the airport will eventually provide 4,500 jobs through air cargo
airlines, customs services, security companies and bonded
warehouses according to a company press release.
The annual income potential from goods and services associated with
the airport is estimated near the $17.1 billion mark.
"Simply put, we're talking about an industry that can lead to
more than 150,000 jobs that pay family sustaining wages here in
Luzerne County," said State Representative Todd A. Eachus. "This
brand-new cargo-specific airport has been discussed since 1999 but
now our mix of government officials from all levels and dedicated
private investors... will get this project moving and put the
greater Hazelton area to work."