Let's hope you're not next to Carlsbad Mayor Matt Hall should you, God forbid, have a heart attack or conniption. Expect a call to 911? Instead, get a call to 119.
Recall last week's question: Why didn't the mayor after two months notify the agencies that regulate and give money to County to develop McClellan-Palomar (Palomar) of the Carlsbad Council September action opposing Palomar expansion?
After the last article, Carlsbad notices went out. To federal and state politicians, but apparently not to the regulatory agencies.
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Politicians
Politicians need to know that the Carlsbad council voted in September to keep Palomar a community-friendly FAA-rated B airport with no runway extension.
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Kudos to the mayor for finally dropping the Carlsbad drawbridge across its communication moat. However, begrudging. But politicians only indirectly impact airport expansions. Federal and state regulatory agencies hold the real power.
Why Should the Mayor have Notified the FAA (and Other Agencies)?
In 2000, the FAA, which sets airport runway standards, adopted a nationwide program to install EMAS safety systems when airports serve aircraft larger than they were designed to handle.
An EMAS [Engineered Materials Arresting System], often made of rows of large crushable blocks at the end of a runway, stop aircraft overrunning the runway, as Vice-President Pence found out several years ago.
The FAA's 2000 announcement targeted 2015 to complete its airport fixes. A typical 350-foot long EMAS costs about $10 million. No one doubts Palomar's EMAS need since Palomar has handled larger, FAA-rated C aircraft for 20 years.
In fact, in about 2016, county asked the FAA for a grant to fund a Palomar EMAS study. The FAA said no. No EMAS grants would be given while County was planning an airport expansion.
In short, if Carlsbad had adopted its 2019 Resolution in 2016 (before the community demanded new council members), the FAA may have allowed county to install an EMAS system at each Palomar end. At the west end, to avoid aircraft falling into the runway-adjacent canyon. At the east end, to avoid aircraft sliding into the 19-acre methane-emitting landfill, where damaged methane collection pipe might ignite crashed aircraft leaking fuel.
The Thanksgiving Message
Scotch the county's Turkey runway expansion. Bring home the bacon. Continue the existing Palomar uses. Today's runway can serve 80% of the United States. Immediately install the two EMAS systems that the FAA promised in 2000. And in the upcoming Council Carlsbad election, look for a candidate that opposes Palomar expansion. A candidate willing to limit Palomar-induced noise, traffic, and pollution.
