Hangar Owners Discuss FAA Fence Requirement at City Council Meeting

By Christopher Miller

LOCK HAVEN – During the visitors/public comments portion of the City Council Meeting Monday evening, airport hangar owners spoke out about a bid proposal for fencing to be installed at the city airport.

Hangar owner Nils Mantzoros spoke first, saying that he received a copy of a bid proposal for fencing at the Lock Haven Airport that concerned him.

“The new fencing proposed is going to exist inside the present fencing and would be inconvenient, but not the end of the world, I am concerned about wasting money on this,” Nils said. “The present fencing was designed by the FAA and was constructed by the present owner of the hangar and is today 100% compliant with FAA regulations.”

“The only reason I can see for this new fence to go up is improved negotiating for the city, I met with the solicitor to be sure my residential agreement was up to date and it is not in the hands of the Bureau of Aviation and there is nothing else I can do until they receive the proposal from the FAA. I want to formally invite all council members to come to my hangar and look at what they are physically proposing to do and I think you will all agree that it is a waste of money.”

In his rebuttal, City Manager Greg Wilson said that the fence is a requirement of the FAA and the city has little to no say in the construction or use of it.

“I feel your pain and I wish we could change this but we can’t,” said councilman Jeff Brinker. “We can’t do a thing about it, only what we have been told and directed to do. We only do what we are told to do.”

Council then heard from Alan Uhler, Jr., the new President of the annual Sentimental Journey Fly-In organization.

“The Fly-In has been happening for 39 years now and I am working to improve things for the event,” Uhler said.

“The storied history of Piper in our area has benefitted the town for decades and the event brings lots of people here throughout the years. I want to do some new things to bring even more people in and learn about aviation.”

Uhler stated that within the next 6-7 years there will be a shortage of about 30,000 pilates.

“I want to teach kids about aviation and maybe hold a future career day to show different careers in the field of aviation and flying,” he said.

Some of his ideas in the works include Short Takeoff and Landing (STAL) competitions, where the challenge would be to take off from a short distance, which is currently proposed to take place during the Fly-In.

He is also working with Cub Crafter who is building a modern version of the Piper Cub.

Central PA Street Machines will also be bringing some of their antique and classic cars to the event.

As well, Uhler is working to have a helicopter land during the event on June 19 and 20 to show others about utilizing that form of aeronautical transportation.