EDITOR:
Our airport usage continues to get rapped by a few with a differing agenda than the majority. A recent letter being from someone seemingly not interested in the details or, for that matter, the necessity to increase the wheel weight for our main runway. The answer seems pretty straight forward. The FAA, contributing 95 percent of the airport funding, demands Minden-Tahoe comply with others in the category of airports.
The letter writer's statement is that "a chunk ... went to rebuild the main runway." Not so. It was spent for a more than 2-inch overlay on the existing runway. "Rebuild" surely differs from "overlay." Like highways, runways develop cracks and splits. Unlike highways, runway cracks can be dangerous, so the FAA requires a 2-inch overlay minimum to securely seal and smooth out existing cracks. In 2002, NDOT certified the runway at 75,000 pounds and stated the same number again in 2008. The overlay was in 2004, so has nothing to do with any change in runway certification. No mystery or curiosity here.
Some criticize the intent to concentrate glider operations on the east side. But this will create a safer environment for the soaring community, as well as increasing operating efficiencies. The power aircraft folks will appreciate it as well. If that's not believable, try landing on the runway while also watching the glider landing on the cross runway, hoping he can stop before he gets to the intersection at the same time you do. The east side will see a runway shift (not lengthened) further east which will greatly assist in glider/power plane separation. That change will result in a decrease in noise level from departures (tow plane) on that runway - they'll be higher over homes.
There has been reference to a "new runway" - it will be a short runway solely for glider use on cross wind landing days. Another safety feature promoting sport aviation.
There have been many people, spending hundreds of hours of time carefully evaluating the needs and necessities of the Minden-Tahoe Airport, in the best interests of Douglas County. Along comes a fellow, during an informational briefing by these informed people, making a statement that the commissioners should just fight the FAA and do nothing further with the airport. He made up for his late arrival at the CVIC meeting by leaving early.
That same fellow states, "Near as I can tell" $1.9 million will be spent for expansion, etc. Perhaps taking a few minutes to determine how that money will really be spent might save the conjecture.
We are fortunate to have a cadre of knowledgeable people ready and willing to address our airport needs, keeping the airport a genuine attribute, as well as the profit center it is.
It's a serious matter that deserves our well considered evaluation and attention.
Dick Young
Gardnerville
