THE HONOR OF HOSTING AIR
FORCE ONE
The White House came to Republic
Airport
 Air
Force One, carrying the President of the United States, arrived at
Republic Airport in March, allowing Mr. Bush to participate in a 9/11
memorial service, visit an example of entrepreneurial business success and
meet his campaign supporters during a day on Long Island that was as much
hectic as it was historic.
For the Republic Airport management team
the arrival of Air Force One offered unprecedented challenges and
opportunities. It required them to work with a spectrum of security that
ranged from the Secret Service and Military Police to the State Police,
Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments, FAA, White House protocol,
communications and press operations as well as coordinate the ongoing air
operations of one of the busiest airports in the State of New
York.
"Our successful support of Air Force One was due to the
incredible professionalism and dedication of the Republic team," stated
Airport Director Hugh Jones. "Every facet of your operation comes under
enormous scrutiny. We are dealing with the security of the President, his
aircraft, his support equipment and staff. We not only host the Chief
Executive but the Governor, members of Congress and others who have
arrived to greet the aircraft. There is no margin for error on any
front."
Managing at the Point
The point person designated to coordinate
the airport's response was airport Manager Stephen Williams, an executive
with AVPORTS. "This is a professional opportunity that comes once in a
career," offered Williams. "We needed to manage and anticipate virtually
every operational component we take for granted. This ranged from sweeping
the ramp of sand left over from previous snow storms to accommodating the
Presidential limousine in our facilities garage to working with our
tenants to minimize the flight restrictions surrounding Air Force One's
arrival and departure."
 Williams was supported by his assistant, Shelly LaRose and by
head of airport security John Lauth, George Barnes, the airport's
Maintenance Manager, and his assistant Charles Ciecirski.
Air Force
One is the designation given to any fixed wing aircraft that the President
travels in. In this case it was a Boeing 757 that touched down and taxied
to the ramp of Long Island Jet on the northeast end of the airport. The
arrival was so carefully planned that the height of the temporary stairs
brought up to the 757 hatchway had been pre-measured by LI Jet Center
president Bill McShane.
McShane observed, "On one hand the arrival
of this aircraft is not unlike any of the other transient aircraft that
arrives on our ramp - you service it to the very best of your ability. And
on the other hand - your eyes water when this 757 in Presidential markings
taxies up beside your hangar and shuts its engines down for the
day."
History and
Images
The arrival of President Bush marked
the first time that a sitting President has made use of Republic during
its tenure as a public airport operated by the New York State Department
of Transportation.
Governor George Pataki, EDC Chairman Charles
Gargano, Parks Commissioner Bernadette Castro and a host of other VIPS
waited on the tarmac for the arrival of Air Force One, marveling at the
size and solid construction of the Presidential limo. Observed Chairman
Gargano, "I guess he has no need for an Easy Pass."
Sand filled
dump trucks were brought in to block off taxiways and helped create
perimeters where the Secret Service would deny access. Nearly fifty
motorcycles were propped up along the fence line of New Highway as highway
patrol officers waited in their distinctive putties and slouch hats for
word to form up.
LI Jet Center was permitted to refuel Air Force
One at "the standard government rate of reimbursement," dryly noted
McShane. With the precision of a military marching team, Air Force One
advance staff stood at rigid attention to direct the taxing aircraft to
stop at a precise location on the LI Jet Center ramp. And it did.
The surrounding businesses felt the positive economic ripple
impact of Air Force One and the arrival of its support crew. Many in the
security detail sent out for pizza and Chinese food from the neighboring
Airport Plaza retailers during their day long stay at the airport. "If we
only could have gotten through the security `frozen zones' we would have
also brought in bagels and made it a true New York experience," commented
Jones.
Everyone took pride in being able to support the mission no
matter how modest the contribution. Denied access to the ramp, and even
the museum's historic control tower during the arrival of Air Force One,
Larry Starr, director of the American Airpower Museum pointed to the
movable steel fencing that kept him off site and proudly announced,
"That's my fencing."
Steve Williams was among those who met the
President as he left Air Force One. Wearing his dual hat as president of
the New York Aviation Management Association as well as Republic Airport
manager Williams lobbied Mr. Bush about the need for a vibrant general
aviation industry and the valuable role airports like Republic play in
supporting the goal. "I knew it may be the only time that I will ever be
afforded the chance to make our case and I wasn't going to ignore it," he
stated.
Jones, Williams, McShane and the entire Republic team put
in a very long day, electing to remain on site until the evening hours
when the Presidential motorcade returned, the President strode up the
steps, Air Force One closed its doors and then taxied out for departure.
Its visit was an historic moment that will long define not just the
strategic role of the airport but the commitment and skill of the
professionals who run it. Top
A
MESSAGE FROM... HUGH JONES, REPUBLIC AIRPORT'S DIRECTOR
 Welcome to the latest edition
of "Republic Airport Highlights." It has been an exciting and eventful
year since our last report. As noted in our lead story the President and
Air Force One made history here as the region welcomed him to Long Island
onboard Air Force One. Last Fall we hosted an emergency evacuation drill
that, ironically, occurred on the eve of a passing glance of an angry
hurricane. And we have been notified that the Blue Angels Navy flight team
will operate from Republic as they prepare to honor the 75th anniversary
of the world renown Jones Beach State Park complex.
Perhaps the
most important strategic occurrence over the past twelve months was the
day long Business Aviation Forum and Static Display sponsored by National
Business Aviation Association that showcased some of the most innovative
general aviation designs in the world and offered the aviation community
dozens of exhibits, seminars and briefings from which to contemplate how
best to navigate in this very demanding industry. Some 1,200 industry
leaders got to "kick the tires" of thirty of the latest business jets
worth over $250 million.
Mitch Pally, Vice President of the Long
Island Association, told the region, "The decision by a nationally
respected business aviation organization to hold this forum at Republic is
the most dramatic endorsement I can think of regarding the role that this
airport plays in supporting Long Island's business community and our
economy. It focuses our attention on a transportation asset that is
uniquely qualified to assist Long Island in the fierce competition for
market share."
His comments were well received. Pally's
organization is the premier business group on Long Island, representing
companies and institutions that comprise the heart and soul of the
bi-county economy. As an advocate for business they view Republic as the
airport for Long Island executives and one as important as the Long Island
Railroad and the Long Island Expressway.
NBAA's decision to host
the event at Republic underscored the importance of this airport. NBAA
Vice President of Marketing and Membership Joe Ponte said, "We fully
believe the NBAA event on Long Island at Republic Airport complemented the
Association's efforts over the past few years to communicate with members
locally. In addition, the business aviation marketplace clearly indicated
to us that such a venue was necessary for vendors and operators to
interact at the local level." The group fosters an environment in which
general aviation aircraft flown in support of commerce are recognized as
important business tools that contribute to economic growth. NBAA
represents member companies who employ 19 million people worldwide and
earn annual revenues of approximately $5 trillion - a figure that is more
than half of the U.S. gross domestic product. (Our industry's contribution
to New York State's economy is noted elsewhere in this
report.)
This airport could not effectively operate without the
efforts of the Republic Airport Commission and its Chairman Frank Nocerino
and Vice Chair, Gerard Toner. These individuals lead a commission that
continues to help position this airport so that it is poised to meet the
challenges faced by every airport, its role as a solid neighbor committed
to working with the surrounding community. While the NBAA forum allowed us
to showcase who we are and how we contribute to the region as a whole our
Commission members continue to provide us with the insight and guidance
that enable us to fulfill our potential.
I urge each and everyone
of you to take advantage of attending our commission meetings where we
create a platform for discussion and dialogue about the crucial role of
Republic Airport. For the balance of 2004 the meetings are schedule for
Room 201 at the airport's administrative building. They start at 7:00 p.m.
and are tentatively scheduled for June 8, August 10, October 12 and
December 14. Phone 631-752-7707 to confirm these dates. Top
COMPUTING THE ROLE OF GENERAL AVIATION IN NEW
YORK
 Republic Airport in
Farmingdale, Long Island, continues to be one of the critical components
of the region's multi-billion dollar economy, providing crucial access to
the heart of our region's crucial markets.
It does so while
wearing the scars of the September 11 attacks when, among the many
aftershocks of those assaults, was the temporary shut down of Republic
Airport. Yet the inherent strength of the airport to come back from such a
blow is evidenced in the fact that this facility is the third busiest
airport in the State of New York and directly contributes to a
multibillion dollar economy.
Not surprisingly, a recent document
prepared by the New York State Department of Transportation underscores
statewide what is being demonstrated everyday at Farmingdale. It notes on
a typical day aviation will generate $97 million in the State, spending
its dollars inside the very heart of neighboring communities. Some 12,000
aircraft landings and takeoffs will take place at the State's airports,
while 28,000 visitors will arrive via the airports. And those airports
will see 216,000 state residents report to work at those airports while
another 131,500 jobs are supported indirectly by a vibrant aviation
industry.
The economic overview for New York's airports is
stunning. Over $35 billion in annual economic activity among New York
businesses and institutions is attributable to aviation. That is some 4.3%
of New York's gross product. Payroll from aviation makes up $13.4 billion
or 2% of the total income in the State. And the report notes that general
aviation has become increasingly important as air charter flights continue
to increase. These charter flights have become a preferred choice for many
businesses to move executives, clients, vendors and investors
point-to-point in a timely and cost effective manner.
The State
report also reports that over $2.8 billion in State and local taxes are
generated from aviation related activity throughout New York. These taxes
are then used for all types of community projects not necessarily related
to aviation. Thus, this tax revenue benefits all New York citizens, not
just those in aviation.
Copies of this economic analysis are
available by contacting Republic Airport and asking to be mailed "The
Benefits of Aviation in New York." The airport's phone number is 631
752-7707. Top
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