Laserfiche WebLink
2. Methodology <br />As noted, the survey effort targeted transient pilots operating at <br />MSP and registered aircraft owners in the greater Twin Cities area. <br />These groups were surveyed because of the potential insight that a <br />"facility -user" has to offer. Operational weaknesses and strengths are <br />easily identified by those pilots operating within the Minneapolis -St. Paul <br />system of airports. <br />Both surveys were mailed and given a two -week return date. <br />Registered aircraft owner survey lists were gathered from the Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of <br />Transportation. Transient pilot lists were obtained from FBOs located at <br />MSP. <br />. Transient Pilot Survey <br />Ten questions were asked on this survey. Topics ranged from <br />stage length of trips to aircraft type involved in operations at MSP <br />(see Appendix C for a copy of the survey). <br />The survey investigated why transient pilots use MSP, and <br />asked if it would be possible for the pilots to move operations to a <br />reliever airport. If the pilot was already based at a reliever or <br />general aviation airport in the region, the survey requested <br />suggestions for improvements at that airport. <br />Because there has been much discussion regarding the need for <br />an additional reliever airport, the transient pilots were questioned <br />about where they felt an additional reliever airport should be <br />located. In addition, they were asked how the development of a <br />new major air carrier airport (as a replacement for MSP) might <br />impact their activity. <br />Registered Aircraft Owners Survey <br />This survey addressed the current and future needs of aircraft <br />owners in the region. Registered aircraft owners were surveyed to <br />provide data pertinent to their base location, operations, and storage <br />and facility requirements (see Appendix C for a copy of the survey). <br />Survey questions investigated the owner's preference for basing <br />aircraft at their current airport. The survey also investigated which <br />facilities are most in demand and what changes might be necessary <br />to meet future facility requirements. <br />A significant NAVAID change to occur within the system is the <br />upgrade to Mode C transponder equipment requirements. A <br />transponder is an airborne radar beacon receiving transmitter that <br />sends a selected signal to air traffic control. The Mode C <br />transponder is more advanced in that it sends a wider variety of <br />information to the air traffic control. This upgrade will cover a 30- <br />I-15 <br />