AOPA Fights For Access -- And Wins
It looks like general aviation has
scored an important victory at Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in
Hailey, ID. Hailey is home to the famous Sun Valley resort, which
hosts one of the biggest and most exclusive corporate retreats.
Investment banker Allen & Company attracts major business
interests and a bevy of corporate aircraft to its annual bash in
July. Such folks don't appreciate much delay or inconvenience.
So the airport manager wanted to close SUN to VFR traffic July 5
and 10, arrival and departure days for the bigwigs. And in
fairness, he has a challenge. The airport is in a narrow canyon; it
has a one-way runway, only one full-length parallel taxiway, and a
very small ramp. So if one aircraft is taxiing out, none can taxi
in.
But you can't close an airport to one class of users for the
exclusive use of another class. And AOPA told him so.
"AOPA is seriously concerned that such operational restrictions
are being implemented solely to discriminate against VFR operations
and to provide IFR operations exclusive use of the airport," AOPA
said. "All aircraft should have equal and nondiscriminatory access
to the airport during this time frame."
So they will. The FAA will implement a Special Traffic
Management Program (STMP) for SUN. IFR traffic will need a "slot
reservation" for arrivals July 1 through 10. VFR arrivals need a
reservation for arrivals on July 5 and July 10. Slot reservations
can be obtained through the FAA's e-STMP Web site or by calling
800/875-9755. Reservations can be made no earlier than 72 hours in
advance of the requested arrival time.
Pilots should be prepared to provide their departure airport,
estimated UTC time of arrival, UTC date, call sign, and type of
aircraft. Upon completion of a slot reservation, you will receive a
reservation confirmation number. The slot reservation confirmation
number must be included in the "remarks" section of the flight
plan.
Upon making radio contact with SUN tower, pilots may be asked if
they have a reservation code, and pilots should be prepared to
provide that code to the SUN tower controllers. This reservation
does not ensure overnight parking or ramp space.
Aircraft must arrive within 15 minutes of the assigned
reservation time or they will lose their reservation and will be
denied clearance to land. Also, if this window cannot be complied
with, pilots may obtain a new slot reservation number through
e-STMP or by telephone. If a reservation requires change or
cancellation, please do so as early as possible in order to release
the slot for another flight.