Airport Newsletter July 2019

Posted on July 30, 2019


Update on current operations and workplan for future years for Gnoss Field

The Department of Public Works will provide a County Airport update to the Marin County Board of Supervisors on July 16. The staff report[External] and the presentation slides[External] are available online.

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for future Runway Extension

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been working on a “Supplement” to the Final EIS that was published in 2014 for the future Runway 13/31 Extension . As of this update, a public meeting date of August 22nd, 2019 has been scheduled by the FAA. The meeting location is the Novato Marin Humane Society Auditorium. For more information please see the related website[External].

Reminder – Wildlife Hazard Management Plan (WHMP)

As of October 2018, airport staff has implemented the FAA approved Wildlife HAZARD Management Plan and will perform non-lethal wildlife control as needed. Staff will identify and respond in a timely manner to hazardous wildlife and hazardous situations that are identified or reported to airport staff. Airport staff will primarily be using harassment techniques and pyrotechnics such as using blanks for a starter pistol and loud Bangers and Screamers for larger flocking birds. As always, please notify staff of any unusual wildlife hazards and report all animal strikes that occur on airport.

Self-Serve Fuel Island Update

CB Aviation is the fuel provider at Gnoss Field. The Self-Serve Fuel unit was to be installed within 9 months of the start of their lease April 16th, 2018. However, there have been some additional setbacks with permitting issues. CB Aviation is still working closely with their consultants to complete this project.

Taxiway Maintenance

On Monday July 8th, The County Roads Department began work on the full-length parallel taxiway for crack seal repairs. Taxiway closures will be been in effect until the completion of this project. Please check daily Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for updates.

Aircraft Storage Permits and Insurance

Please update your information with current aircraft and contact information on your hangar space at Gnoss Field. Per the County Aircraft Storage Permit for habitually situated aircraft:

  • “All Permittees agree to disclose all aircraft he/she has caused to locate on the Airport and shall be financially responsible for these aircraft or for any other access onto the property granted by this permit. Any owner shall furnish the County, in advance of arrival of the aircraft, evidence of financial responsibility in the minimum. requirements of: $1,000,000 combined single limit coverage with exception of per/passenger sub-limit of $100,000.”
  • Also, county staff is preparing to contact all hangar owners that have no aircraft assigned to their hangars. Per the aircraft storage permit Item 9 (c.): “Principal and primary use of permit space shall be for the storage of aircraft only. Use of the space for any other primary purpose will result in revocation of the permit.”

Trash and Recycle Bins

Please read the signs posted on each dumpster for accepted trash and recycle items. The left dumpsters are for trash items only and the right dumpsters are for approved recycle items only. Our service provider will not pick up the containers if items not posted on the signs are placed within the dumpsters and recycle bins.

Night Operations

Please make sure that while on the Airport Operations Area (AOA) at night, your vehicle headlights are on LOW-BEAM. Many pilots who fly out of Gnoss Field require low light environments for night flights.

Please Slow Down

On the Airport Operations Area the Speed Limit is 15 MPH. There have been a couple of close calls recently due to cars going too fast and not yielding to other vehicles and taxiing aircraft. Aircraft staff have been notifying tenants and their guests to slow down. Upon a second or third notice from staff for excess speed, your vehicle access may be revoked for non-compliance.

Vehicle/Trailer Parking on the AOA

All vehicles must be parked inside your hangar for overnight flights. There is no long-term parking on the airport AOA. Vehicles that are parked on the AOA for extended periods of time (overnight) will receive notice that vehicles parked overnight should be inside your hangar or the long-term parking areas outside the AOA. Upon a second notice of parking violations, your vehicles may be towed at the vehicle owners’ expense.

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