Airport Solution

By Chuck Bahde

Regionally Distributed Airport Plan. (ReDAP).

With the recent swearing in of the five member interim board of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority the process for deciding our airport future begins. Mayor Murphy said in his State of the City address, "this is our last best chance to solve the airport issue, We are running out of sites, We are running out of time, it is now or never". Some argue simplistically to close Lindbergh Field. Others say that Miramar, which is under military control, is our only choice for a new airport. However, it's dangerous to bet the economic future of our region on the "possibility" that Miramar will become available for civilian use. Another idea being considered is expansion of Lindbergh. with a north side terminal. Many believe that this terminal would add little capacity for the quarter billion dollar investment. The hidden agenda is to "pave the way" for a second runway that would further impact to all neighboring communities.

I would like to outline an airport solution that can be implemented within a realistic time frame, with minimal negative impact on our residents, with reasonable financial restraint, and dependent on the military abandoning one of its important bases. This solution would be a Regionally Distributed Airport Plan (ReDAP) with Lindbergh Field continuing as the main airport to serve our domestic needs. Implementation would begin with first improving efficiencies of operation at Lindbergh without major expansions.

1.Update the air traffic management system used by all United States airports. The current computer and software system currently used for traffic control is 30 years old and very inefficient. The Boeing Company is developing a satellite navigation system that pinpoints aircraft locations. Such a system would increase potential airport capacity by 45%. Boeing is willing to pay for initial costs because with increased airport capacity they will sell more airplanes!

2. Eliminate non-commercial flights at Lindbergh. In 2000 these flights accounted for 10% of airport activity. In a distributed system, private use would be restricted to smaller local airports that would be improved to handle these additional flights.

3. Sell Lindbergh's prime landing and take off times to the highest bidder. This would provide incentive for spreading flights more evenly throughout the day. Prime times would require higher ticket prices, while flights at less busy times would have lower prices. Passengers would then choose from a greater range of ticket prices and departure times.

4. Strictly enforce flight pathways, airport curfew hours, and airplane noise reduction regulations. Increase fines to discourage violators. Fines for breaking these rules are only $1,000. to $5,000. and have not been evaluated for over ten years. . Sound proofing programs for homes under the glide path should continue and be paid for by the airport operator.

5. Upgrade airport parking lots with efficient computerized a red light/green light system developed in Switzerland that would make vacant spaces easier to find. This signal system directs cars to the closest available space and eliminates futile searches.

With improved efficiencies of operation, Lindbergh field will be able to fulfill its long-term role, as our primary airport for our domestic air transportation.

As the solution to our international and air cargo needs we can join with our largest regional partner, Tijuana. A Spanish consortium, in partnership with the Mexican government, has already begun the first phase of major airport improvements at Rodriguez Field. This consortium has ambitious expansion plans to accommodate huge amounts of passengers and cargo. The long-term plan calls for a bi-national terminal and a new port of entry near Brown Field. The terminal would be built astride the border and have its own passenger, cargo and parking facilities to allow passengers from the USA easy access to Rodriguez field.

There are many good reasons for using Rodriguez field as a major part of ReDAP.

1. Future population growth and development will be focused south of I-8, particularly on Otay Mesa.

2. The recent rejection of Brown Field as a cargo airport has eliminated the problem of crowded, shared airspace with Rodriguez Field.

3. An airport located at the border ties in well with other regional transportation elements.

A. Funding has been committed to link freeway 805, via route 905, to the Otay port of entry.
B. The Trolley could be extended from San Ysidro to the new terminal.
C. Rodriguez Field is adjacent to the railroad line that runs from cargo terminals on San Diego Bay, east through Tecate, Campo, Carriso Gorge and on to Imperial Valley. This vital east line, completed by John D. Spreckels in 1919 is worthy of restoration. San Diego would again be directly linked to major rail shipping lines avoiding detours through Los Angeles.

Ultimately, should Miramar become available for joint civilian use with the military then it could be considered as the airport solution for our domestic needs. Should Miramar become available for exclusive use as a civilian airport then it could be considered as an all-inclusive solution for our domestic, international, and cargo needs. As of now, Miramar is an uncertain location and we cannot base our economic future on uncertainty. We must chose a realistic solution that can be implemented in the near future