Can Friedman Memorial Airport make more of a fuss over pilots of general aviation aircraft—that is, smaller, privately owned airplanes—to increase their business with the airport?
Maybe.
At an airport authority meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 4, airport Manager Rick Baird reported that general aviation business in fuel sales and in landings and takeoffs at the airport was down an estimated 26 percent for July, August and September relative to the same period last year. Baird and Ron Fairfax, an airport authority member and pilot, blamed some of the on the economy and high fuel prices.
However, Baird said he discovered that tower controllers had unwittingly scared away some business by suggesting training flights and touch-and-go landings be conducted at other airports. That had the effect of aircraft landing elsewhere to refuel.
"Anything we can do to attract more of them (general aviation)?" authority member Len Harlig asked.
Fairfax's response was simple: "Promote the airport." He added that Friedman has the reputation of "big iron" (large luxury VIP jets), which he said was "an intimidation factor." Smaller-plane pilots may have developed the perception that Hailey is an airfield reserved primarily for celebrity jets and the like, with higher fuel prices and little room for smaller private planes.
Friedman does have a steady business in corporate and charter jets. During the Allen & Co. media-tycoon conference each July, the airport is swamped by scores of jets, often creating delays in landings and takeoffs.
After recommending discussions with general aviation pilots about their attitude toward Friedman and any problems they encounter, the board suggested that Harlig take on the mission. Harlig said he and Baird would meet with Charles Matthiesen, of the Blaine County Pilots Association, who attends virtually every airport authority meeting, then report with results and recommendations.
