The Louisville Regional Airport Authority Board of Directors recently approved the five-year (fiscal years 2013-2017) capital plan. The plan, which includes FAA and LRAA funding, estimates that the Airport Authority will spend approximately $140.5 million on capital projects ($129.6 at Louisville International and $10.9 million at Bowman Field).
As part of the plan, the Board approved a new Airport Layout Plan for Bowman Field, reflecting changes made to the to the airfield during the past 13 years and the new, more stringent FAA airspace safety standards (TERPS) that are now in effect at Bowman Field.
As part of the plan, the Board also approved the Bowman Field Airport Area Safety Program. The program, designed to comply with the new safety standards, also includes measures to minimize, as much as possible, the impact on our neighbors' trees that now may protrude into the newly protected airspace.
Next steps include publicly requesting proposals for a team to oversee the program. The selected team will then conduct a detailed, property-by-property survey, with the results forwarded to the FAA for their determination as to what measures must be taken to comply with the new standards.
The Bowman Field Airport Area Safety Program has been designed to protect aircraft and surrounding neighborhoods and to minimize, as much as possible, the new standard's impact on our neighbors' trees:
- There are NO current or future plans to add a runway or extend the two existing runways at Bowman Field.
- Complying with the FAA safety standards that are new to Bowman Field will NOT allow larger/heavier aircraft to use the airfield.
- These safety standards will NOT change the altitude at which aircraft arrive or depart Bowman Field; the standards simply provide an extra cushion of airspace for safety.
Other major projects part of the five -year capital plan include funds for the Authority's voluntary relocation and sound-insulation programs, runway safety-area enhancements and the extension of Taxiway "E" at the Louisville International Airport.
Visit this link for a document that includes a map of the areas where trees might be impacted by the new safety standards. The document also includes frequently asked questions and answers about the proposed program—including those from our neighbors. (updated on 1/18/12)
Visit this link to the FAA site (beginning on page 100) for more information about departure surfaces.
Visit this link for the Bowman Field Airport Area Safety Program
January 4, 2012 Presentation - Bowman Field Airport Area Safety Program
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