CHAPTER ONE  INVENTORY

 

 

1.1     INTRODUCTION

 

The City of Lawrence is located in northeastern Kansas in Douglas County, 28 miles east of Topeka and 35 miles west of Kansas City. Lawrence is bordered by Johnson County on the east, Leavenworth and Jefferson counties on the north, Shawnee and Osage counties on the west, and Franklin County on the south. Lawrence is located on U.S. Interstate 70 (the Kansas Turnpike), U.S. Highways 24, 40 and 59. This network of highways makes Lawrence accessible from all directions. The Lawrence Municipal Airport is located one mile north of the Lawrence central business district. The airport itself is within the Lawrence city limits, however, it is completely surrounded by unincorporated land within Douglas County. (See Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2)

 

Lawrence Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the City of Lawrence. The assistant city manager is responsible for the operation and management of the airport on a day-to-day basis with the assistance of an aviation advisory board which was formed in 1973 by the City Commission of Lawrence. The board consists of seven members, six are from the public at large and one is appointed from the University of Kansas.

 

Encompassing approximately 445 acres of land, and situated at 832 feet above mean sea level, the Lawrence Municipal Airport serves as a general aviation facility for the business community and recreational users in northeastern Kansas. According to a survey completed for the


Kansas Aviation Systems Plan (KASP) to evaluate the economic impact of Kansas airports, Lawrence Municipal Airport was estimated as having a total annual direct and indirect economic impact of $9,100,000.

 

1.2     PURPOSE OF STUDY

 

The last Airport Master Plan for Lawrence Municipal Airport was submitted in 1990. Since that time, the population of the service area has increased and with it the needs of the airport have changed, therefore requiring an update to the Airport Layout Plan and Report. This report is considered a “mini” master plan.

 

The Airport Layout Plan Update is being prepared in accordance with the applicable elements specified in the FAA Advisory Circulars 150/5070-6A, Airport Master Plans, and 150/5300-13, Airport Design through change 5.

 

1.3            AIRPORT HISTORY

 

The formal opening of the Lawrence Airport, at its current location, was in 1929. The airport property was first owned by the University of Kansas, then deeded to the Kansas University Endowment Association and then sold to the City of Lawrence in 1977. Four runways were originally constructed on this site:  a 2,600-foot northeast/southwest runway, an 1,800-foot north/south runway, a 1,700-foot east/west runway, and a 1,250-foot northwest/southeast runway.

 

In 1936 the improvements included the surfacing of the four runways with three inches of cinders, boundary markers, a landing area marker circle; and concrete floors, aprons, and lighting were added to two hangars.

In 1941 the runways were extended to the following lengths:

            Runway                                    Length

            Northeast/Southwest                3,200 feet

            North/South                             2,500 feet

            East/West                                 2,460 feet

            Northwest/Southeast                Not extended

 

In 1958, by Grant Agreement with the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the predecessor to the Federal Aviation Administration, a new northeast/southwest, 3,000 ft. runway (1-19) was constructed using a seven-inch soil cement base and two inches of asphalt surfacing. Also constructed was a taxiway from the south end of the runway to the hangar area, a 150 ft. by 340 ft. apron, medium intensity runway lights, a lighted rotating beacon, and a natural gas line to the administration building. The administration building was enlarged to provide a waiting room, airport manager's offices, pilots' ready room, lounge, and restrooms.

 

During 1962 and 1963, additional clear zone avigation easements were obtained. In 1969, an 83-foot by 120-foot hangar was constructed to provide space for storage and complete repair service by the fixed base operator. A 30-foot by 150-foot T-hangar and a 30-foot by 170-foot tiedown slab were constructed to provide additional storage.

 

Following is a summary of airport improvement program projects completed at the airport since it was purchased by the City of Lawrence:

 

Date     Grant No.         Amount            Items of Work Accomplished

1977  6-20-0047-01  $  580,000         Acquire land and easement overlay,widen, extend, light (MIRL) and mark Runway 1-19; overlay, widen, mark and light connecting taxiway; construct segmented circle, lighted wind cone and road barriers; modify underground pipelines; install fencing; site preparation and drainage clearing, grubbing and obstruction removal.

 

1978    6-20-0047-02    $309,000       Acquire land; reimbursement for land; adjust pipeline.

 

1980    6-20-0047-03  $1,552,000      Acquire land; construct, mark and light (MIRL) Runway 14-32 (now 15-33); construct and mark connecting taxiway from Runway 32 (33) to Runway 1; construct and seal apron; grading, seeding and drainage.

 

1981    6-20-0047-04   $  150,000      Grade apron; construct and mark access road to new terminal area; install lighted rotating beacon; drainage, seeding.

 

1982    3-20-0047-01   $  936,000      Expand terminal apron including marking and tiedowns; construct and mark parallel taxiway; grading and seeding.

 

1983   3-20-0047-02      $155,000      Land reimbursement for airport development; light NW-SE parallel taxiway; apron lighting.

 

1990    3-20-0047-03     $22,500        Airport master plan update.

           

1990    3-20-0047-04   $969,021        Safety area grading and ILS

 

1991    3-20-0047-05   $351,447        Approach Lights and Land Acquisition

 

1992    3-20-0047-06   $370,954        Pavement Rehab and Marking

 

1997    3-20-0047-07     $58,770        Apron Rehabilitation


 

1.4            AIRFIELD FACILITIES

 

1.4.1    Runways and Taxiways

 

Lawrence Municipal Airport maintains two runways. Runway 15-33 serves as the primary runway. It was constructed in 1982 of three inches of bituminous surface course on five inches of bituminous base course overlying ten inches of aggregate subbase course. The runway is 5,002 feet long by 100 feet wide and is served by a full-length 35-foot wide parallel taxiway and connecting taxiways. The effective strength of the runway pavement is estimated to be 30,000 single wheel gear (SWG) and 38,000 pounds dual wheel gear (DWG). The runway is equipped with medium intensity runway lighting (MIRL), a precision instrument ILS approach on Runway 33 with MALSR, and precision instrument markings. The taxiway pavements are in poor condition and the runway is in fair condition.

 

Crosswind Runway 1-19 is 3,901 feet long by 75 feet wide and has an effective strength of 12,500 pounds SWG. The runway was originally constructed to 3,000 feet by 50 feet in 1958 with a seven-inch soil cement base course and a two-inch bituminous surface course. In 1979, the runway was lengthened and widened to 3,900 feet by 75 feet and was also strengthened with an overlay. Runway 1-19 is served by a 20-foot wide partial parallel taxiway along the mid-section of the west side, and a 20-foot wide connecting taxiway to the west building area. A short taxiway also connects the end of Runway 1 to the east terminal/building area. The runway is equipped with MIRL and has basic runway markings. The runway and taxiway pavements are in fair to poor condition.

 

1.4.2    Aircraft Aprons

 

Aircraft aprons at the airport consist of a 19,600 square yard apron, adjacent to the terminal building on the north side. This apron is used for based and itinerant aircraft and includes 20 tiedowns. The apron is asphalt and is in fair condition. A small 100-foot by 125-foot concrete apron is located west of the FBO hangar and adjacent to the large apron. This apron serves the FBO hangar and aircraft parking.

 

An aircraft apron is also located in the west terminal area which provides access to the existing hangars in that area, including the Kansas University hangar, and provides some aircraft parking with three tiedowns available. The apron is approximately 10,900 square yards constructed of asphalt and is in poor condition.

 

1.4.3    Building Areas

 

The airport presently has two building areas. The west terminal/building area served as the main terminal/FBO area until 1985 when the new terminal and later, the FBO hangar building was constructed in the east building area. Main access to the airport is directly off U.S. Highway 24 and 40 to the east terminal/building area. Existing hangars in the west area are still being utilized, however, maintenance of city-owned buildings has been kept to a minimum and more effort has been put toward developing and maintaining the new east building area. Figure 1.3 depicts the current airfield layout.

 

1.4.4    Fixed Base Operations (FBO)

 

The fixed base operator, Hetrick Aircraft, provides flight instruction, air taxi and charter, maintenance, fueling, car rental, hangar rental, aircraft sales and rental, aircraft maintenance and repair and itinerant aircraft tiedown services on a daily basis. Airport advisories from the FBO are available on the unicom frequency of 123.0.

 

1.4.5    Fueling and Other Services

 

An above ground fuel "farm" is located in the east building area on the edge of the main apron. Storage capacities for the various aircraft fuels include 10,000 gallons of Jet-A and 10,000 gallons of Av-gas (100LL).

Rental cars are available at the airport through the Hertz Rental Car Company. A courtesy car is also available at the airport.

 

1.4.6    Utilities and City Services

 

Utilities to the airport are provided by the following:

            Utility                              Provider

 

            Water                          City of Lawrence

            Sewer                          Septic - on airport

            Gas                              Kansas Public Service Company

            Electricity                     KPL Gas Service Company

            Telephone                    Southwestern Bell Telephone Company

 

City water is supplied to the airport through a single, eight-inch line to the east and west building areas.  This airport line is connected to the city's main 12-inch line approximately 1.5 miles away.  In addition, the airport has a non-potable dedicated underground well and pump system that can supply 2,000 gallons of water per minute for fire protection.  Another auxiliary non-potable source will be constructed in 2001. This will be very adequate to supply the airport with domestic and fire protection needs for several years.  City sewer is not available. The closest sewer line to the airport extends only to 7th and North Streets, approximately 1.5 miles south of the airport. The airport currently utilizes an on-site septic system for sewage disposal. This septic system is scheduled to be replaced by the City in 2001.  Options include an on-site contained wetlands system or a conventional pump station/forced main stystem connected to the City’s existing sewer system. All other utilities are readily available to the airport.

 

1.4.7    Ground Access and Vehicle Parking

 

Access to the main terminal area is directly off U.S. Highway 24/40, which is a main east/west highway that runs from Lawrence east to Kansas City. Traffic counts on the highway are approximately 7,600 vehicles capacity per day. Access is available to the west building area from Douglas County Road 9, a two-lane road. The east Lawrence Turnpike (I-70) interchange is also a short distance, approximately one and one-half miles southwest of the airport, and provides easy access to U.S. Interstate 70.

 

1.4.8    Approach and Navigational Aids

 

Lawrence Municipal Airport accommodates air traffic utilizing both Visual Flight Rules (VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR). For VFR, the airport's traffic is provided with two visual approach aids including a lighted rotating beacon (at night, or in low weather conditions) and a 4-box Vertical Approach Slope Indicator (VASI) to Runway 33.

 

There are several instrument approach procedures to the airport for IFR operations. Table 1-2 lists the approaches.

 

TABLE 1-2

APPROACH PROCEDURES

PROCEDURE

MINIMUMS

ILS Rwy 33

200 – 1/2 (A-C)

LOC Rwy 33

400 – 1/2 (A-C)

VOR/DME RNAV Rwy 33

600 – 3/4 (A,B) 600 – 1 (C)

NDB or GPS Rwy 33

600 – 3/4 (A,B) 600 – 1-1/2 (C)

VOR/DME or GPS-A

700 – 1 (A,B) 700 – 2 (C)

 

Table 1-3 lists navaids that are available in or near the Lawrence Municipal Airport area. Features of the airway system affecting the Lawrence Municipal Airport area are illustrated on Figure 1.4.

 

TABLE 1-3

LAWRENCE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT NAVAIDS

NAVAID

CALL/FREQUENCY

DIS. FROM LWC 

RADIAL

 

Topeka VORTAC

TOP     117.80

17.2 NM

108o

Kansas City VORTAC

MCI     113.25

27.7 NM

229o

Johnson VOR/DME

OJC     113.00

24.6 NM

289o

Riverside VOR/DME

RIS      111.40

29.6 NM

252o

 

1.4.9    Wind Rose

 

Proper runway orientation requires, among other things, analysis of the wind coverage in order to align the runway with the prevailing winds. The all-weather wind rose is found in Figure 1.5.

 

 

1.5     Based Aircraft and Operations

 

According to FAA's 5010-1 Master Record dated 1999, there are currently 53 based aircraft, including 48 single-engine aircraft, 3 multi-engine aircraft and 2 jet aircraft. The FBO reports 50 singles, 2 twins and 3 jets for a total of 55. The number of operations at the Lawrence Municipal Airport (including general aviation, air taxi and military operations) has fluctuated over the years, but current estimates shown in the 5010 Master Record for CY 1999 are 31,350 operations, with a trend towards corporate aviation.

 

1.6     LOCAL AND REGIONAL INFLUENCES

 

There are several factors occurring locally, regionally and nationally that are affecting operations at the Lawrence Municipal Airport. Locally, there are new and existing businesses that are using more business aircraft in their travels and more executive aircraft come to Lawrence for sports events at Kansas University. Further, there is a new major NASCAR raceway, the Kansas Motor Speedway, which is nearing completion and will be open for its first race event in mid-2001. It is located approximately 17 miles east of the Airport. The Lawrence Airport is considered the most convenient Airport to the race track. Estimates from similar race tracks indicate that somewhere between 80-200 corporate jets come to a single major event, along with up to 900 helicopter operations. This race track is planning 6-7 major events annually and more than 200 event days per year. It appears that this leaves a fair amount of opportunity for the Lawrence Airport and community to capture this usage.  There is additional discussion of this topic in Chapter 2.

 

On a separate note, the Union Pacific Railroad has been is contact with the City of Lawrence to consider relocating a section of the rail line that currently passes through the city to a location just north of the Airport. In order to do this, the Airport would have to for-go a proposed runway extension and or relocate the runway to the south. Also, KDOT is proposing changes to US Highway (24/40) located to the south which may affect extensions of the runway to the south.

 

Other influences locally include an Indian casino proposed just east of the Airport and a proposed theme park east of Lawrence in Johnson County near Desoto Kansas on Kansas Highway 10.

 

Two other very exciting proposals in the works involve the University of Kansas. KU has moved some of its aerospace programs to its hangar facilities at Lawrence Municipal Airport to capitalize on the closer proximity to runway access for testing programs. The School of Aerospace Engineering has established the “Kansas Flight Test Center” at the Lawrence Municipal Airport. This mission of this center is to achieve national recognition as a Flight Test Education and Research Center of Excellence by 2005. In addition to undergraduate and Graduate education programs in aerospace programs, the Center will contract and partner with leading aviation manufacturers flight test research and flight test support. 

 

KU, in partnership with NASA and FAA, is working to establish a Small Aircraft Transportation System (SATS) Program at the Lawrence Municipal Airport.  KU, in partnership with Wichita State, is leading the state's R&D initiative into the SATS program. Lawrence city leaders have pledged support to KU's efforts to establish a SATS demonstration site at Lawrence Municipal Airport.

SATS will create more time to more people, satisfying a large portion of the emerging public demand for safe, higher-speed mobility and increased accessibility, while unleashing the full potential of the knowledge-based industrial expansion to more suburban, rural and remote communities. The benefits include improved standards of living and quality of life for all in the new global economy. SATS technology innovations will provide the nation with; (1) economic development for communities of all sizes enabled by localized air accessibility; (2) choices to bypass highway and hub-and-spoke transportation systems delays; (3) an efficient means for inter-modal connectivity between small airports and the global aviation system; and (4) an exportable transportation revolution with affordable “instant infrastructure” for developing nations around the world.

 

Regionally and nationally, aviation is growing rapidly, primarily in corporate aviation and commercial service. Air Cargo is also growing in a dramatic fashion. Although growth in commercial service does not directly affect the Lawrence Airport, it does force general aviation out of the airports like Kansas City International Airport to airports such as Lawrence.