Laserfiche WebLink
u <br />4 -3 <br />1 <br />Appendix A summarizes the pilot survey. Part of the data <br />' <br />developed in the survey were related improvements to the <br />airport. That 568 of the pilots surveyed felt that a <br />lighted paved 3,300 L.F. airport was a needed improvement <br />and 208 felt that a paved 2,800 L.F. airport would. be <br />sufficient. The next closest item pilots felt was needed <br />' <br />was fuel and maintenance services with 188 indicating this <br />item as a priority. It was found that 16 aircraft were <br />based at the Gateway at the time of the survey. The <br />majority of the aircraft are single engine except for two <br />(2) twin engine craft. <br />4.3 Users view of Facilities <br />Comments from pilots using the airport were received through <br />the pilot survey form. Those comments focused primarily on <br />' <br />the lack of and /or on the inconsistency of ground services. <br />Safety items that drew concern were related to the dirt <br />runway and lighting. Dust and stones kicked up from prop <br />motion causes safety problems and potential damage to air- <br />craft. A major need expressed was for a paved runway sur- <br />face. The airport does have a TALS lighting facilities, <br />however, a number of pilots were concerned about that <br />lighting system. <br />The pilots in the survey wanted better service from the FBO. <br />' <br />That service consists of fuel, maintenance and repair faci- <br />lities and rental aircrafts. Lack of hangar facilities were <br />a major problem perceived by the pilots. <br />Such items as snowplowing and upkeep on the access road also <br />brought negative comments. Pilots surveyed from the area <br />expressed that the location of Gateway North was a key <br />reason for using the airport, but for those who used the <br />facilities and then left for better facilities, those indi- <br />viduals cited the lack of ground services as the major issue <br />for leaving. <br />The businesses surveyed who had used the airport expressed <br />' <br />the need for better facilities, paved runway and more consis- <br />tent ground services. <br />' <br />4.4 Aviation Related Business Survey <br />A survey of local businesses was made from an area including <br />the Cities of Anoka, Ramsey and Elk River. The Anoka and <br />' <br />Elk River Chamber of Commerce were helpful in supplying <br />names of area businesses and attempting to identify those <br />directly related to aviation. The Chambers of each area <br />' <br />furnished a letter of support signed by the Chambers' presi- <br />dents that accompanied the business survey form. <br />u <br />4 -3 <br />1 <br />