Key Objectives
for the Virginia Highlands Airport Layout Plan Update
The 2003 ALP Update determined
that the critical aircraft (which defines airfield design criteria) is
represented by the Cessna Citation family of small business jets. Accordingly, the Airport Reference Code (ARC)
for VJI should be B-II during the planning period (2003-2022). ARC B-II
indicates that the airfield is designed to accommodate aircraft with approach
to landing speeds of less than 121 knots and wingspan width up to, but not
including, 79 feet. The ARC classification is intended to represent the most
demanding aircraft that uses the airfield on a routine basis, but does not
preclude larger aircraft operations if the pilot deems conditions safe.
As the Virginia Highlands
Airport Commission strives to provide safe facilities to meet the performance
requirements of aircraft utilizing the airport, the projects described in the
report must be pursued to ensure the safety of the flying public. Some projects have potential environmental
effects, such as relocating Spring Creek.
The ALP Update describes the anticipated impacts, the degree of those
impacts, and mitigation measures if required for agency review and concurrence.
Forecast
of Aviation Demand
The forecast was based on several
documents including the 2003 Virginia Air Transportation System Plan Update
(VATSP), FAA’s Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) and the 1996 Master Plan Update. The FAA approved the activity forecast
developed for the 2003 ALP Update and it served as the foundation to develop
the facility requirements. The table below summarizes the forecasts for Virginia Highlands
Airport over the 20-year planning period.
These forecasts indicate that all aspects of aviation demand at the airport
will continue to grow during the planning period. Many corporate entities within the racing, coal and banking
industries are becoming active within the service area of Virginia Highlands
Airport. Therefore, ongoing development
of facilities will enable the airport to continue to accommodate the growth in
aviation demand and contribute to the economic vitality of the service area.
Virginia Highlands Airport
Airport
Operations Forecasts
|
|
BASE
|
FORECAST YEARS
|
|
FORECAST ELEMENT
|
2002
|
2007
|
2012
|
2022
|
|
Total Based Aircraft
|
71
|
74
|
76
|
83
|
|
Single Engine
|
49
|
50
|
51
|
52
|
|
Multi-Piston
|
8
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
|
Multi-Turbine
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2
|
|
Business Jet
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
|
Rotorcraft
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
7
|
|
Other*
|
5
|
5
|
5
|
6
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operations
|
23,200
|
25,050
|
27,000
|
31,500
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
GA Operations by Aircraft Type
|
|
|
|
|
|
Single Engine
|
15,776
|
16,533
|
17,415
|
19,845
|
|
Multi-Piston
|
1,856
|
2,004
|
2,025
|
2,205
|
|
Multi-Turbine
|
1,473
|
1,601
|
1,944
|
2,502
|
|
Business Jet
|
1,160
|
1,528
|
2,025
|
2,678
|
|
Rotorcraft
|
1,299
|
1,581
|
1,601
|
2,054
|
|
Other*
|
1,636
|
1,804
|
1,990
|
2,199
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
* Denotes ultra-lights, gliders, and unmanned aircraft.
Source: Airport
Layout Plan Update, March 2003.
Airfield Capacity/Facility
Requirements
Chapter Three of the ALP Update determined the Airport’s
ability to accommodate the forecast of aviation demand presented in Chapter Two,
Forecast, and identified the facilities that will be required to meet forecasted
demand during the 20-year planning period. The aviation demand forecasts
indicated a moderate increase in all segments of activity at the Virginia
Highlands Airport; therefore, to accommodate these increases, airfield
improvements and/or facility development will be necessary.
Alternatives
This section of the ALP Update dealt with the description
and evaluation of alternative plans leading to the selection of the recommended
plan of development for the Virginia Highlands Airport. The overall objective was to evaluate
airport development concepts in a straight forward and logical manner. Each alternative was evaluated for facility
requirements, aircraft operational needs, public access, and future development
capability, with the intent of selecting a preferred operational
alternative.
Four
development alternatives were considered during the evaluation phase to reflect
some of the feasible concepts of future development, and the advantages and
disadvantages of each are presented.
The alternatives are listed as follows:
- Precision
Instrument Approach Capability
- Airport Reference
Code: B-II versus C-II
- Runway Extension
and State Road 611 Relocation
- West Side Airport
Development
Based on the Virginia Highlands Airport Commission meeting
held on October 14, 2002, a B-II airport with a runway length of 5,500 feet and
a non-precision instrument approach procedure with visibility greater than ¾ mile was determined to be the preferred option for development. These parameters were determined to best
meet the requirement needs of Virginia Highlands Airport during the 20-year
planning period. The development options will provide for the efficient
operation of aircraft at the airport, meet FAA design standards, minimize the
effects on the surrounding community and environment, minimize development
costs, meet the facility requirements identified in Chapter Three, and provide
a feasible implementation program.
Airport
Layout Plan (ALP) Drawing Set
Click here for Airport Layout Plan
Click here for Airport Property Map
An ALP is a graphic representation of the existing and future
development at Virginia Highlands Airport.
The ALP is comprised of 10 drawing sheets as follows:
o The Cover Sheet – (Sheet 1 of 10) is an
index of each drawing in the Airport Layout Plan set. In addition, a location
and vicinity map are shown to aid in identifying the location of the airport.
o The Airport Layout Drawing (ALD) – (Sheet 2
of 10) is a graphic representation of existing airport facilities and proposed
improvements during the planning period.
Indicates all pertinent clearance and dimensional information required
to show conformance with applicable FAA standards. The drawing depicts the recommended location and configuration of
facilities required to meet the needs during the 20-year planning period (2003-2022). It is important to note that the ALD serves
as a guide for proposed development and is a key document that should be kept
current. When formally approved by the
FAA, this drawing serves as a public document that is a record of aeronautical
requirements, both present and future.
An approved ALD is also required for any funding consideration by the
FAA and the DOAV. The Airport Layout Plan drawing was newly created for this
study.
o The Airport Airspace Drawing - Part 77 -
(Sheet 3 of 10) presents the plan profile views of all Federal Aviation
Regulation (FAR) Part 77 surfaces based on the ultimate runway length. The USGS
7.5 minute Quad sheet was used for this map.
o The Inner Portion of Approach Surface Drawings -
(Sheets 4 & 5 of 10) are projected as plan and profile views for the runway
ends.
o The Terminal Area Plan (TAP) - (Sheets 6
& 7 of 10) graphically enlarges the existing and proposed layout of
terminal facilities such as aprons, buildings, and hangars shown on the ALD.
General aviation hangars, tie-downs, and terminal areas are also depicted on
the TAP.
o The Future Land Use Map – (Sheet 8 of 10) presents future
planned off-airport land uses surrounding the Virginia Highlands Airport. Noise exposure contours for the 65, 70, and
75 DNL are also shown for the future (2022) conditions.
o The Airport Property Map– (formerly
Exhibit A) (Sheets 9 & 10 of 10) depict the boundaries of the existing
airport property and identifies owners of each adjacent property. Sheet 10
contains tables providing historical transaction data and preliminary data for
proposed land acquisitions.
