The question on lips throughout the Wood River Valley's aviation community was uttered again Tuesday night and so, too, was the same answer.
What is the future of Friedman Memorial Airport, now that a site for a larger airport to replace the Hailey field has been designated?
And the answer was the same: no one knows.
The issue came up almost incidentally at the Friedman Memorial Airport Authority's monthly meeting while members were discussing approximately 20 hangar leases that would be expiring in staggered sequence during the next five years or so. Authority attorney Barry Luboviski suggested new leases should be on an annual basis, since "the last thing we want to do is to enter into deals knowing we're going to move (the airport)."
Board member Len Harlig agreed, saying new leases should be "short term, closer to market rates."
At that point, pilot Charles Matthiesen asked whether any decision had been made on the future of Friedman—that is, would it be closed or remain open as an airport for general aviation operations? A site in lower Blaine County, south of Timmerman Hills, has been picked for a possible new airport, subject to approval after intensive U.S. government studies.
Hailey Mayor Susan McBryant, who is the Airport Authority's vice chair, said that decision must be made by the city of Hailey, but has not been discussed yet. If Friedman is closed, approximately 100 acres of the field's 230 acres bought with Federal Aviation Administration funds probably would be sold. The remainder of the property, which was deeded to the city by the pioneer Friedman family, would probably revert to family ownership.
Some in the aviation community have told the authority that Friedman should be operated for smaller and corporate aircraft. That proposal has been met with explanations that FAA funds might not be available, so local funds raised through taxes would be needed to pay for the operation.
Apropos of a new airport, consultant Tom Schnetzer told the board that work is under way on documents outlining the possible capital and operating costs of a new airport and sources of financing while a new airport is under construction.
"One thing that will be tricky," Schnetzer said, "will be short term financing between (new airport) and when (Friedman) land is sold." He also said the documents would include the possibility of a local option tax and "whether we factor it in the financing plan."
Schnetzer said the documents would be completed within 45 days for submission to the FAA.
Among the assumptions for a new airport is that it would be at least 600 acres and perhaps 1,200 acres, ideally with a main runway and a shorter crosswind runway. Estimated cost is $100 million with construction at least seven to 10 years away.
