Lincoln Journal
Thursday, February 3, 2005

Fees upped at Hanscom Field
By Barbara Forster/ Correspondent

The cost of flying at Hanscom Airport is soaring skyward.

As of Feb. 1, Massport has raised several fees and charges. Some
represent double-digit increases and the flying community is concerned.

"Hanscom has gone from being among the bargains in the area to one of
the most expensive airports for light aircraft to land," said John Williams
of the Massachusetts Business Aviation.

Currently transient and commercial planes under 3,000 pounds pay a flat
rate of $10 while those between 3001 and 10,000 are charged $15. Two years
ago these landing fees didn't exist.

In addition, planes over 10,000 pounds pay $1.75 per 1,000 pounds; last
year it was $1.50.

Landing fees at other airports are less and in some cases a lot less.
Privately owned planes still land free at Beverly while Westchester County
charges about $3, Farmingdale Republic $6.25, and Teeterboro $10.

Raising more revenue and Massport's decision to have all its component
groups including Logan and the Seaport pull their own financial weight are
the major factors behind rate/fee increases. But Massport representative
Richard Walsh argues that any increases should be examined in the context of
actual costs. For example, although tiedown charges went up 11 percent, the
dollar amount changed from $110 per month to $114; a $3 increase. In
comparison, tiedown fees at Beverly start at $80.

Other "real" dollar-hikes, however, are bigger. Some T-hangar space
went up $31 a month from $312 to $343.

Two years ago tiedown fees went up 25 percent, T-hangar fees 50
percent. In some cases rates had remained the same for more than a decade.
Fuel fees and civil terminal tenant rates were not changed.

Staying on the ground will cost more, too. The average rental increase
is 13 percent. "That will bring us in line with comparable space in the
area," said Walsh. Other Reasons

Specific expenses at Hanscom like increased security costs add to the
need for more money. High-security fencing, extensive background checks,
fingerprinting, and the badge system ($75 per person) create hefty price
tags.

However, pilots like Williams believe that security could be just as
safe, yet a bit less stringent and therefore cheaper. Are "trap" gates, for
example, (one gate closes before another opens) really necessary?

But Massport prefers to err on the side of caution. "Hanscom is the
only general aviation airport with this type of security," said Walsh. "At
any point we know who is using the facility. That comes at a cost."

Although Massport maintains that the pain is shared among all airport
users, the hit is harder on small plane owners. A 30-minute to 45-minute
flight for a single engine piston-powered plane, like a Cessna, from
Plymouth costs between $35 and $45. The additional $27.50 ($15 landing fee
plus $12.50 for "parking") makes the trip significantly more expensive.

Williams fears that higher costs could hurt the airport in the long
run. "There is a small economic base of customers at Hanscom," he said.
"Increased charges will over time drive customers away shrinking the base
more, and drive away more customers."

Attrition might already be at work. According to Williams, only 25
percent of the tiedown space is leased; 75 percent is vacant. "Many years
ago that percentage was higher," he said.

Walsh acknowledges that an "excess" of tiedown space exists, but he
believes that location rather than economics is the reason. Much of the
vacant space is in the West ramp area which is next to the Air Force base.
Following 9-ll and the Cole bombing, access was severely restricted. For a
while pilots were escorted to their planes. "We lost quite a few people
after 9-11 because it was easier to relocate to other airports," he said.

The current security system is less cumbersome but still not extremely
user friendly. A Solution?

"Massport needs a broader economic base (at Hanscom)," said Williams.

But, he added, the agency also needs the cooperation and understanding
of the community, too. "I'm hopeful we can start with a process that will
lead to imaginative solutions," said Williams.

Various revenue-raising approaches might include charging fees to be on
the waiting list for hangar space and/or opening a "real" restaurant.
Williams noted that many general aviation airports, like Stow Minute Man,
have "substantial" restaurants that attract non-aviation related customers.
What's Next?

Whether the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission takes a position on the
rate hike is up in the air. Last time, the commission questioned Massport's
decision on the grounds that the group had no input. Massport maintained
that rate increases were a "business decision" and outside input was
unnecessary.

This time, Chair Anne Shapiro of Concord said, "We're still in the
'gathering information' stage."

The commission opted not to go further because the January meeting was
not well attended due to Mother Nature's wintry blasts.

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