Eclipse Transportation Planning: Aviation
Eclipse Transportation Planning: Aviation
Our goal is for people in the transportation industry to be informed and prepared for people near and far to safely view the solar eclipse, discover new ideas, make connections and be a positive part of the overall story of our region for more than the few minutes of totality.
We are expecting up to a half million people to travel to the Genesee/Finger Lakes Region, mostly by automobile, in the 1 to 4 days prior to Monday, April 8. Many will depart immediately afterwards in the late afternoon. Depending on the weather and other factors, air travel in our area may be a viable and popular option. The dozen or so public use airports operating in this planning region may become very popular destinations and viewing spots for "Everyone Under the Sun" ranging from pilots, eclipse chasers, astronomers, scientists, casual star gazers to first timers.
Total Solar Eclipse:
An Experience Worth Traveling for by Air
In fact, we learned during the last total solar eclipse visible from the United States that happened in August 2017, more than 400 pilots gathered at the airport in Madras, Oregon to view the celestial event. The Perryville Regional Airport - KPCD in Perryville, Missouri welcomed 147 aircraft. Many brought telescopes and camped overnight. That much extra activity calls for planning, especially in terms of staff, fuel, restrooms, food, and other needs for pilots and crew. It also presents great opportunities for discovery, education, and business with proper planning.
Close to 400 aircraft landed at the Madras Municipal Airport in Oregon to watch the Total Solar Eclipse in August 2017. Photo credit: David Tulis
Eclipse Planning Considerations for
Public Use Airports
Eclipse Awareness
- Do you feel the owners, operators, tenants, and staff/volunteers are informed about the eclipse and scale of impact it could have?
Eclipse Public Education
- Airports are ideal locations to engage learning and enchance experiences for people the day of the eclipse, plus the night before. High-altitude balloon lifts, science experiments, solar viewing, nighttime sky viewing, etc. are ways to promote science education.
Logistics
- What concerns come to mind from the air travel perspective? Maybe it is flight or ground support related, overcrowding at the airport, ground transportation for airport employees/volunteers?
- Do you know how many aircraft your airport can accommodate? How many can park/tie down? Does that number depend on saturated/snowy grassy areas?
- For uncontrolled airports, do you have enough qualified volunteers to help direct plane traffic?
- Are the grounds of the property contained with a fence or other barrier to control access?
- If your airport offers fuel, be sure to arrange for ample inventory a few days beforehand. This is especially important if fuel is delivered by trucks on busy highways the days leading up to April 8.
- If your airport offer maintenance/repair services, is your parts room stocked adequately?
Special Services Related to the Eclipse:
- Do you have a way to anticipate air traffic that day? Would an advanced registration system be useful?
- Are you aware of any groups/clubs planning a special event that day?
- What other measures could you take to forge relationships with pilots and encourage repeat business? Extra restrooms, extra cell phone chargers?
- Have you considered having food available in the form of vendors or catering?
- If weather permits, are you prepared for pilots and visitors to camp overnight?
- Are you expecting a lot of vehicle traffic to your airport grounds on eclipse day?
- Have you considered eclipse swag such as clever t-shirts or other souvenirs to make the trip memorable?
- Do you have digital or traditional communication mechanisms with general aviators to leverage between now and April to educate, motivate and inform people? Examples include online discussion forums (Facebook Groups, etc.), flying clubs that meet regularly, newsletters, attendee lists from previous events such as fly-in breakfasts, airshows, or other special events?
More Information:
Lori Maher
Genesee Transportation Council
(585) 232-6240 x217 (Voicemail)
Lmaher@gtcmpo.org
Ray Detor
Le Roy Airport
(585) 259-9308
rsdjr1400@aol.com
Aviation Stakeholder Resources
Thanks to all who attended the stakeholder meeting in January. View the slide show to see what was discussed.
In February, GTC and RMSC presented to NYAMA, (New York Airport Management Association) to talk about this topic with more people representing airports across the state. Link to Slide Show.
In March, GTC joined members of NYAMA to share an overview and follow up on airport staff in New York State is prepared for the eclipse.
AIRPORTS IN THE PATH OF TOTALITY
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) highlighted events from the eclipse that was visible from the US in August 2017 on their webpage with a lengthy video, maps, photos, and information. https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2017/august/21/total-solar-eclipse-draws-thousands-of-aviators
Learn More
Visit the Rochester Eclipse Task Force webpage to learn more about eclipse planning in the greater Rochester, NY, area.
Visit the GTC Eclipse Engagement Hub for more transportation-related information.
Eclipse: Aviation Stakeholder Meeting
The purpose of this session is for people in the aviation industry to convene and talk about planning for the Total Solar Eclipse. Representatives from the Rochester Eclipse Task Force will give a short overview and lead a discussion about what the Total Solar Eclipse will mean for our overall region with an emphasis on air travel. The session will conclude with brainstorming ideas to help people with an interest in local air travel to prepare for extra flight activity in April.
Please register and indicate if you'll be joining us in person or remotely. If you choose to join virtually, you will be prompted to register with Zoom.
Submit your ideas, questions, or comments in the box below or send email.
For more information contact Lori Maher at GTC at LMaher@gtcmpo.org or call (585) 232-6240 x217 to leave a voice mail message.