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On August 18, 2003, the Concord Chamber of Commerce held an Airports Forum that included local, state and national aviation experts. The turnout was excellent with approximately 100 members of the public in attendance. Contra Costa County Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier, Mount Diablo Pilots Association President, Diane Cole and People Over Planes President Hal Yeager were also in attendance.
The panel highlighted the importance of the County Airports in the national aviation system. Speakers included Spencer Dickerson of the American Association of Airport Executives, Joe Rodriquez of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Austin Wiswell of Caltrans and Keith Freitas with Contra Costa County Airports. Panel members discussed the transportation value of Buchanan Field and Byron Airports in the local, state and national transportation systems.
Some of the highlights of the meeting included the fact that both Buchanan Field and Byron Airports are part of the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). On a national and regional basis both Buchanan Field and Byron Airports accommo
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date smaller and slower aircraft that would only add to the air traffic congestion delays at San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose International Airports. Mixing a Cessna 172 (landing speed of 60 knots) with a Boeing 747 (landing speed of 154 knots) could paralyze the air traffic system at any given Airport. That would be like mixing motorized scooters on your local freeways. What would that do to the morning commute?
A question from a member of the public summarized the evening's topic: "What is the value of the land so we can determine if building homes on the property would be more valuable than the airport?" Members of the panel responded by stating that it's not an apples-to-apples comparison. It would be like trying to compare the value of land under a state highway. That land serves transportation needs, but since a highway doesn't make money, the state would make money selling the land for development. However, that action would not support the transportation needs of the state or region. The same can be said for the value of an airport and its associated land.
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