My 2 cents:
I oppose giving government any more money in aviation fuel taxes or any other taxes. Until government cuts to essential services only, I will not support additional taxes for anything. I will give up aviation before it gets more expensive to fly...and I'm on that edge now.

Let me ask this...I pay the State of Oregon $40/year for my aircraft registration. The FAA has their own aircraft registration program. I can access the FAA Aircraft Registration Database online...can't the State of Oregon do the same? Without it costing me $40/yearly? Why the duplication?

Maybe they could use whatever part of that $40 they needed to support their registration services, and spend it on airport maintenance instead?

Rant off.

Lonewolf wrote:My 2 cents:
I oppose giving government any more money in aviation fuel taxes or any other taxes. Until government cuts to essential services only, I will not support additional taxes for anything. I will give up aviation before it gets more expensive to fly...and I'm on that edge now.

Let me ask this...I pay the State of Oregon $40/year for my aircraft registration. The FAA has their own aircraft registration program. I can access the FAA Aircraft Registration Database online...can't the State of Oregon do the same? Without it costing me $40/yearly? Why the duplication?

Maybe they could use whatever part of that $40 they needed to support their registration services, and spend it on airport maintenance instead?

Rant off.

I feel your pain Lonewolf. I just can't accept them closing my little slice of heaven.

Cheers...Rob

Rob,

I know. I hope they don't close PCS also. The politics of it all sets me off.

Lonewolf wrote:Let me ask this...I pay the State of Oregon $40/year for my aircraft registration. The FAA has their own aircraft registration program. I can access the FAA Aircraft Registration Database online...can't the State of Oregon do the same? Without it costing me $40/yearly? Why the duplication?

This didn't sit well with me either, but after inquiring, it turns out that money is earmarked for search and rescue operations specific to aircraft in Oregon. It has very little to do with registration per se and more to do with resources for aircraft rescue that are funded by the pool of owners themselves... I guess.

Zzz -

I was of the understanding that Search & Rescue was to be paid for by the additional $12.00/year that we pay for an 'Oregon Pilot Registration', which is over and above the yearly aircraft registration fee.

From the ODA website:

"Dedication of Oregon Pilot Fees to Air Search & Rescue. Pursuant to ORS 837.035, proceeds from Oregon Pilot Registration fees are deposited in a dedicated account which funds Air Search & Rescue through the Department of State Police, Office of Emergency Management. This revenue stream is dedicated to funding all expenses incurred in conducting activities authorized under ORS 401.555 to search for lost planes, as well as search and rescue of lost persons. The funds are also used to provide pilot survival education and training."

Lonewolf wrote:Zzz -

I was of the understanding that Search & Rescue was to be paid for by the additional $12.00/year that we pay for an 'Oregon Pilot Registration', which is over and above the yearly aircraft registration fee.

From the ODA website:

"Dedication of Oregon Pilot Fees to Air Search & Rescue. Pursuant to ORS 837.035, proceeds from Oregon Pilot Registration fees are deposited in a dedicated account which funds Air Search & Rescue through the Department of State Police, Office of Emergency Management. This revenue stream is dedicated to funding all expenses incurred in conducting activities authorized under ORS 401.555 to search for lost planes, as well as search and rescue of lost persons. The funds are also used to provide pilot survival education and training."

I found this on oregon.gov:

www.oregon.gov wrote:ORS 837.040 requires every Oregon resident who owns an aircraft that is based or flown in Oregon, or any non-resident who owns an aircraft based or flown in Oregon, or any owner of an aircraft used for commercial operations in Oregon must register that aircraft with Oregon Department of Aviationwithin 60 days of being subject to registration. Fees from aircraft registration help the Department of Aviation provide airport improvements and maintenance at public use airports across Oregon, as well as provide aviation system planning and other activities to strengthen the state-wide aviation system.

Still a brewing topic, don't forget.

http://www.crbizjournal.com/news/articl ... f887a.html

What is the latest on this, Rob?

Wednesday, Dec. 19th.
I'm going. The wx this time of year usually isn't good to fly. I'll drive and have room for 3 friends. PM if you want to carpool. Probably spend the night and come home in the morning. Nice double queen room $54.00 a night.

If it closes we will never get it back. Loosing Pacific City would be like loosing Johnson Creek!

Thanks for agreeing to speak out to save Pacific City airport from closure. Here's a brief report on the status of the airport closure.

The Oregon Dept. of Aviation is considering closing or selling many of the State managed nonfederally funded airports it manages because of a serious budget shortfall. The ODA budget is funded via pilot and airplane fees, as well as AV gas and jet fuel taxes. The agency receives no General Fund dollars for its budget. Because of the recession and reduced air flight, its budget is in severe decline.

In order to reduce costs to the Oregon Dept. of Aviation, the agency has begun the process to evaluate the State managed airports for financial and safety issues. The Aviation Board has established a goal to divest itself from many of the small airports that generate no income and pose liability to the State. Pacific City immediately rose to the top of the "cut" list because of safety concerns.

A couple of pilots who own property in Pacific City learned of this potential airport closure and began spreading the word among pilots, Pacific City businesses and civic leaders, the local Chamber of Commerce as well as County Commissioners and District Senators. Articles about the potential closure have been printed in the Pacific City Sun and the Tillamook Observer newspapers. The word is getting out and we are hopeful that a large group of concerned citizens will show up at the upcoming meeting of Tillamook County Commissioners, in Pacific City, on Wednesday, Dec. 19th.

Tillamook County Commissioner Tim Josi has scheduled a tour of the Pacific City Airport at 3pm on the 19th. Dept. of Aviation staff will participate in the tour. The public is invited to join in the walk of the airport, and to hear of ODA's concerns with encroachment of the airport safety overlay zone. The County Commissioners will then hold their monthly meeting at 5pm at the Kiawanda Community Center (Senior Center) in Pacific City. Once again, the public is invited to attend the meeting.

We are encouraging concerned pilots and citizens to sign up to speak during the County Commission meeting on the 19th. If you are unable to participate in the airport tour or Tillamook County meeting, would you be willing to send a letter or email expressing your thoughts to Mitch Swecker, Director of the Oregon Department of Aviation; Tillamook County Commissioner Tim Josi; and long-time airport advocate Senator Betsy Johnson?

Also, we'd greatly appreciate it if you could encourage others who love Pacific City's airport to speak out on its behalf.

Here's contact information for key decisionmakers for this issue:

Mitch Swecker, Director
Oregon Dept. of Aviation
3040 25th St. SE Salem, OR 97302-1125
Phone: (503) 378-2340
e-mail: [email protected]

Commissioner Tim Josi, Chairperson
Tillamook County Commission
Tillamook County Courthouse
201 Laurel Ave., Tillamook, OR 97141
Phone: 503-842-3403
[email protected]

Senator Betsy Johnson
District Address:
PO Box R
Scappoose, OR 97056
District Phone: 503-543-4046
[email protected]

Thanks for considering our plea for for help. We hope to see you at the airport tour and County Commission meeting in Pacific City on Dec. 19th. Together let's fill postal and email in-boxes with hundreds of notes of concern and support. Please spread the word!

John Dunlap & Robyn Holdman
Rob Burson

Realized I missed some info:

Tillamook County Commissioner Tim Josi has scheduled a tour of the Pacific City Airport at 3pm on the Wednesday December 19th. Dept. of Aviation staff will participate in the tour. The public is invited to join in the walk of the airport, and to hear of ODA's concerns with encroachment of the airport safety overlay zone. The County Commissioners will then hold their monthly meeting at 5pm at the Kiawanda Community Center (Senior Center) in Pacific City. Once again, the public is invited to attend the meeting.

Again I have room for me and 3 friends in my truck. Staying over night. Motel is $54 for 2 queen beds so $27 each to share a room. Call or PM if you want to truck pool. I got the diesel and 1 room.

Hope to meet you there.

Cheers...Rob

Getting down to crunch time. If some of you Oregon guys don't get on this with me and the airport goes bye bye I don't want to hear any bitching. I can't do this by myself!

Call me V 0three-VII 20-one9oneVII

What time is the county commissioner's meeting? I will be in Portland for the day and cannot make the tour, but could probably drive down for county meeting. EDIT: Nevermind, shoulda read your previous post better.

Rob;

Thanks for keeping this in our headlights. PFC is one of the favorite $100 omelets for us SLE boys.
I'll make every effort to be there.

Tom

hangartrash wrote:Rob;

Thanks for keeping this in our headlights. PFC is one of the favorite $100 omelets for us SLE boys.
I'll make every effort to be there.

Tom

Thanks Tom keep spreading the word!

G'Day...Rob

OregonMaule wrote:Realized I missed some info:

Tillamook County Commissioner Tim Josi has scheduled a tour of the Pacific City Airport at 3pm on the Wednesday December 19th. Dept. of Aviation staff will participate in the tour. The public is invited to join in the walk of the airport, and to hear of ODA's concerns with encroachment of the airport safety overlay zone. The County Commissioners will then hold their monthly meeting at 5pm at the Kiawanda Community Center (Senior Center) in Pacific City. Once again, the public is invited to attend the meeting.

Again I have room for me and 3 friends in my truck. Staying over night. Motel is $54 for 2 queen beds so $27 each to share a room. Call or PM if you want to truck pool. I got the diesel and 1 room.

Hope to meet you there.

Cheers...Rob

I have not got any takers on my offer to keep this place open. That's a bummer. The offer stands. I am leaving Troutdale tomorrow at 11:30 ish

I don't want to hear any bitching from you Oregon guys if and when it closes.

G'Day...Rob V 0three-VII 20-one9oneVII

OregonMaule wrote:

OregonMaule wrote:Realized I missed some info:

Tillamook County Commissioner Tim Josi has scheduled a tour of the Pacific City Airport at 3pm on the Wednesday December 19th. Dept. of Aviation staff will participate in the tour. The public is invited to join in the walk of the airport, and to hear of ODA's concerns with encroachment of the airport safety overlay zone. The County Commissioners will then hold their monthly meeting at 5pm at the Kiawanda Community Center (Senior Center) in Pacific City. Once again, the public is invited to attend the meeting.

Again I have room for me and 3 friends in my truck. Staying over night. Motel is $54 for 2 queen beds so $27 each to share a room. Call or PM if you want to truck pool. I got the diesel and 1 room.

Hope to meet you there.

Cheers...Rob

I have not got any takers on my offer to keep this place open. That's a bummer. The offer stands. I am leaving Troutdale tomorrow at 11:30 ish

I don't want to hear any bitching from you Oregon guys if and when it closes.

G'Day...Rob V 0three-VII 20-one9oneVII

I can't make it to the coast for a meeting that early. However I did get some emails off today to the ODA and the county commissioners, so hopefully that helps a little.

Rob, I'm in.....checking weather tomorrow, I want to fly down.
Ceiling looks like it could work, but some pretty good winds forecasted.

Terry wrote:Rob, I'm in.....checking weather tomorrow, I want to fly down.
Ceiling looks like it could work, but some pretty good winds forecasted.

hey terry i'm driving. my plane still in the shop. wx looks a bit on the edge of reasonable, remember i fly for fun and plan not to die in a wx related f up. the walk is at 3 which is where we try to show how nearly impossible it would be to hit a building. the council meeting is 5 dark. no flyE home in storm, dark, mountains. FUN NOT! me go to sportsman pub after for dinner and grog. i can swing by mac on my way. cheers

Rob, Posted a couple of emails, hope it works out!!
GT

Pacific City, Wednesday
Overcast with rain. High of 48F. Windy. Winds from the South at 30 to 40 mph with gusts to 55 mph. Chance of rain 100% with rainfall amounts near 0.9 in. possible.

Yep, not my kind of scud running.

Is there anything that us non-locals can do to help?