Title
Development Services Department and Department of Transportation recommending the Board consider the following:
1) Receive a presentation by Federal Aviation Administration on the proposed Mather Airfield aircraft arrival route;
2) Provide direction to staff to continue participating in this process; and
3) Direct staff to return as required for further direction. (Est. Time: 1 Hr. )
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: None
Background: The Development Services Department and Department of Transportation have engaged in discussions with the City of Folsom, Sacramento County Airports, and individuals representing various sub-entities and levels of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in order to develop a regional solution to address the concerns with the operation of Mather Airfield.
The Development Services Department and Department of Transportation have brought the aforementioned entities to the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors to provide the Board and the community with the status of where we are in the process and to present a "Standard Terminal Arrival Route" (STAR) for the Mather Airfield. The STAR is one component of the regional solution to address the concerns of various community members.
The STAR is a published procedure followed by aircraft on an instrument flight rules flight plan, just before reaching the destination airport. A STAR usually covers the phase of a flight that lies between the top of descent from cruise or en-route flight and the final approach to a runway for landing. The STAR is intended to improve safety, minimize communication between aircraft and the control tower, and minimize fuel consumption.
The program to establish a STAR follows an 18-step process and requires approximately one year to complete. The Directors of DOT and DSD have participated in meetings on the proposed STAR, beginning in September 2010. Meeting minutes from two meetings are attached. The need for community outreach was discussed further at the April 14, 2011 meeting, where the FAA volunteered to provide a presentation on the STAR to both the City of Folsom and County of El Dorado.
This presentation is intended to provide information on the STAR. Subsequent to this meeting, County staff will participate in presenting this same presentation to the Folsom City Council.
Action to be taken following Board approval: Development Services and Department of Transportation will continue to participate in the STAR process, returning as needed to the Board for further direction.
Contact: Roger Trout/ x5369