CHO Receives Certificate of Achievement

CHO just won its 19th Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its FY 2010 comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR).  This award is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management (especially for our very small administrative staff). 

In keeping with our staff’s vision, the CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program including demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.  Amazingly, CHO was one of only two airports in Virginia to produce a CAFR and receive the certificate of achievement in FY 2009, and one of only thirty-three airports in the United States to produce a CAFR utilizing the GFOA guidelines.

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CHO Teams up with 97.5 3WV for the 2011 Pepsi Spring Tour

As part of the promotion of the airport’s newest airline American Eagle, CHO has taken it’s show on the road. “Getting the word out about our new airline (American Eagle) and the jet service to Chicago O’Hare starting June 9th is exciting and extremely important” states Jason Burch, Director of Air Service & Marketing for CHO. 

Jason spent part of his Friday on May 6th live on the air with DJ Luke Church from 97.5 3WV at the Mill Creek Exxon to discuss the benefits of the new service for Central Virginia.  “I’m not only having a great time with many of our current and hopefully future CHO passengers, but I’m getting a chance to brag about how even more convenient CHO has become with it’s competitive fares right now. For example, with American, you can get to Chicago for $178 as of this morning”.

Airport staff were also on hand to help promote the “CHO Summer Flyaway for 4” that CHO will provide by way of the new service. You can still register for the “Fly Away” package as well as prizes from additional sponsors, including a kayak from Appomattox River Company by attending one of the remaining stops of the Tour.

For more information about Tour dates and other details click here.

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Summer Travel

This was not a stellar weekend for aviation.  First a computer failure at United Airlines resulted in at least 31 flight cancellations (and an ensuing impact).  Second, a bomb threat from an individual at an airport ticket counter in Dayton OH resulted in flight delays at Reagan National.  Finally, summer storms continued their routine assault on summer travelers.

Did you know that summer storms have a more significant impact on travel than winter storms?  Winter storms tend to be more predictable because they can be forecast with greater accuracy.  Summer storms tend to be the pop-up variety.  Winter storms tend to be, well, winter storms.  How often do winter storms include intense lightning?  Summer storms create conditions on airports that most of us don't want to be in - water, metal and lightning.  Rest assured I am not a disgruntled customer fussing at the flight attendant because boarding was delayed while lightning danced around the aircraft ramp.  Summer storms especially wreak havoc over major hubs where a return to normal operation is usually a tedious process.  Aircraft must return to a normal patter after being diverted or delayed so the impact may last hours beyond the storm event.  The U.S. Department of Transportation reports bad weather is responsible for 60% of all airline delays.

What does this mean to a traveler?  Patience certainly keeps blood pressure in check but a few moves may prevent a storm encounter.  Buy tickets for early morning travel.  Storms tend to be more intense in the afternoon when the temperature has increased.  F;lying earlier in the day also builds in more opportunities to make changes before frequencies run out.  Build in time for delays - don't schedule the second leg of a flight close to the first leg arrival time.  It's a lot more fun to leisurely stroll to the gate with a coffee than run and find it has been delayed or cancelled due to storm.  Leave enough travel time to accommodate a delay or cancellation (e.g. if you are flying to a "job interview" of a lifetime, for heaven's sake don't go on the last flight available to make it there on time).

Finally, fly with the right attitude.  Going with patience and a positive outlook certainly makes for a better time for you and your planemates.

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Unique Aviation:  Airport Fights Mother Nature with CASPER

Seeding fog?  No, that doesn't mean planting.  CASPER?  Not the friendly ghost.  Combined, however, a creative response from an airport to a natural phenomenon that limits the airport's ability to serve its customers.

Rogue Valley-Medford International Airport (MFR) is a commercial service airport located in Jackson County, Oregon.  With over 630,000 annual passengers, It is served by four commercial airlines while three fixed base operators provide general aviation services.  Due to its geographic location, portions of the Rogue Valley experience temperature inversions during the winter which produce signifcant fog and can last for weeks (see wikipedia).  Visibility is reduced and as a result aircraft operations at the Airport can be severely impacted.  Rather than accept this limitation and its economic impact on the surrounding region, the Airport staff has developed a fog-reducing system known as CASPER, “cable attached system providing effective release”.  This system, created in the airport operations shop, disperses dry ice particles over fog, which in turn bind to the fog particles causing them to freeze and dissipate.  The seeding is completed using a remote-controlled vehicle pulling a helium balloon and replaces an older system that required using an aircraft to seed the fog.  Safety testing has been completed, and the FAA has certified the use of CASPER.

Saving time and fuel, reducing risks and eliminating an impediment to successful aircraft operations.   A huge win-win for this Airport and the region it serves.  What unique system or process being used in airport operations have you heard about?

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