Skip to content

SCHUMER: FAA APPROVAL URGENTLY NEEDED IN ORDER FOR PERRY-WARSAW AIRPORT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A NEW WEATHER TOWER SYSTEM; IF FAA DOESN’T ACT THIS MONTH, AIRPORT WILL BE SHUT OUT OF FAA’S 2018 GRANT CYCLE, DELAYING NEW WEATHER TOWER CONSTRUCTION BY YEAR OR MORE; SENATOR URGES FEDS TO CUT THROUGH RED TAPE SO THAT AIRPORT CAN APPLY FOR IT’S CONSTRUCTION GRANT THIS YEAR

FAA Has Not Approved Perry-Warsaw’s Weather Tower Airspace Case Application & Other Pre-Approvals Putting The Major Project At Risk For Delays; Application Proposes The New Weather Tower Location Site At The And Needs FAA Sign-Off Now So Airport Can Submit Its Construction Grant Application In Time

Senator Says Project Will Remained Taxied Until The FAA Approves Application; Weather Tower Is Critical To Add Instrument Approach Capability Needed To Land New Businesses In Wyoming County And To Collect Data Needed For Future Airport Runway Widening To Safeguard Against Airport’s High Winds 

Schumer: FAA Should Expedite Approval So That this Project Can Be Cleared For Take-Off

U.S Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer today urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to review and approve Perry-Warsaw Airport’s Weather Tower Airspace Case Application and sign-off on the project’s other required design approvals in order for the airport to begin construction on its first-ever Automatic Weather Observing System (AWOS-II).  The airport’s design documents and its associated Weather Tower Airspace Case Application propose the specific location site for a new weather tower and must be approved by the FAA so that the airport can submit a 2018 construction grant application in time. Last year, the FAA awarded the airport a $43,000 grant to complete the planning and design of the Automatic Weather Observing System (AWOS-II).  The design was completed in 2017 and the airport planned to next apply for its FAA construction grant in 2018.  But that timeline is now in jeopardy because before the airport can submit a 2018 construction grant application, the FAA must first sign off on the project’s design documents and its Weather Tower Airspace Case application.  Schumer said it is vital that the FAA approve this application in order to prevent delays and to clear the way for the airport to apply this year for the construction funding needed to build the new weather tower and promote future safety and economic development investments at the airport.  

“The approval of this application will enable Wyoming County’s economy to take off, bringing in new businesses, improving safety and giving residents greater access to up-to-date weather information,” said Senator Schumer.  “That is why I am calling on the FAA to review and approve this application so that Perry-Warsaw can apply for the necessary federal grants that will move this project forward. This weather station will be a game changer for the airport. Perry-Warsaw is integral to the regional economy and delivering this project on time should be fully backed by the feds. Enabling and investing in critical projects like these paves the way for local economies and communities in Wyoming County and Beyond.”

Schumer explained that Perry-Warsaw Airport, which is located in between the Villages of Perry and Warsaw, is crucial to the regional economy of Wyoming County, New York.  He added that this new system is critical to this airport and the community for several reasons including:

  • As agreed to and emphasized by the FAA, the Airport must begin capturing accurate wind data as soon as possible, to promote the widening of Runway 10-28 project for winds. This project is key to maintaining safe operations at the airport. Delay of the AWOS-II project will, in turn, delay these important future capital projects.

  • The establishment of instrument approaches is paramount both for the safety of current airport users, particularly in light of the often windy conditions experienced at this airport, and to help establish new businesses in the region. In addition to providing enhanced weather information, the AWOS-II is needed so that the airport can add an instrument approach capability to the airport that will help the airport attract new businesses.  The lack of an instrument approach has already forced Perry-Warsaw to turn away three businesses in the last five years.

Schumer reiterated that the case must be reviewed as quickly as possible to allow for Perry-Warsaw airport to submit a pre-application by January 31 for a Fiscal Year 2018 FAA construction grant for the AWOS-II.  Schumer called for the FAA to prioritize this review so the proposal may swiftly proceed to the implementation phase. Schumer said the timely completion of this airspace case is integral to the long-term growth and economic development of the airport.

A copy of Schumer’s letter appears below:

Dear Ms. Martinez:

 I write to urge the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to swiftly complete the agency’s pending review and approval of materials submitted by the Perry-Warsaw Airport (01G), without which the airport will be shut out of applying for its Automatic Weather Observing System (AWOS-II) construction grant this year (FY18), thus delaying the entire project timeline by a year.  Specifically I ask that you prioritize the swift completion of the weather tower airspace case application (2017-AEA-26-NR) submitted by the Airport on October 24, 2017 which is the key component in order for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to set and approve the specific location site at the airport where the new weather tower must be erected.  According to the Airport, the remaining required materials that are predicated on the FAA’s determination of the weather tower site location, such as the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) update, the Construction Safety and Phasing Plan, and other plans and specifications for the NY Airport District Office review have either already been submitted or will be finalized and submitted once the FAA approves the site location.

Located in between the Villages of Perry and Warsaw, Perry-Warsaw Airport is integral to the regional economy of Wyoming County, New York.  This new system is critical to this airport and the community for several reasons:

  • As agreed to and emphasized by FAA NYADO, the Airport must begin capturing accurate wind data as soon as possible, to promote the widening of Runway 10-28 project for winds. This project is key to maintaining safe operations at the airport and is currently shown as beginning in FY2019 with an Environmental Assessment. Delay of the AWOS project will in turn delay these important future capital projects.

  • The establishment of instrument approaches is paramount for the safety of current airport users, particularly in light of the often windy conditions experienced at this airport, and to help establish new businesses in the region. In addition to providing enhanced weather information, the AWOS-II is needed so that the airport can begin gathering wind data for the purpose of making further improvements such as widening their main runway, as well as to ultimately add an instrument approach capability to the airport that will help the airport attract new businesses.  The lack of an instrument approach has already forced Perry-Warsaw to turn away three businesses in the last five years that had interest in building hangars at the airport. 

I ask that the case be reviewed as quickly as possible to allow for Perry-Warsaw airport to submit a pre-application by January 31 for a Fiscal Year 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) construction grant for the AWOS-II.  It is my hope that the FAA will prioritize this review so the proposal may swiftly proceed to implementation phase. The timely completion of this airspace case is integral to the long-term growth and economic development of the airport.  In order for the airport to move forward with AWOS-II on time, the airport must be able to apply for Fiscal Year 2018 construction grants. Thank you for your consideration of this important project. Perry-Warsaw Airport plays a key role in the regional economy enabling residents and businesses access to travel across the area. Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact my staff.

Sincerely, 

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

###

Previous
Next