October 16, 2000

FAA latest with thumbs-down on Brown Airfield conversion.

HispanicVista.Com

Powerful business and political groups long dominating San Diego had to wince yet again as the long awaited FAA report dealt a blow to the conversion plans of Brown Airfield into a an air cargo facility. In essence the FAA report indicates that air traffic in other county airports would be greatly effected by air operations at Brown airport.

Delays in air operations at Lindbergh, North Island, Montgomery and Ream Airfield could occur four months of the year. Among the numerous problems pointed out by opponents, and steadily being proven right, is a major safety concern.

Because directly east of Brown airport there is the presence of the Otay mountains, large cargo laden aircraft cannot not make a landing approach from the east. The craft has to enter from the west and either land going west or circle across Chula Vista slowly descending while banking south to align with the east-end of the runway landing to the west.

If the aircraft attempts to land directly from west to east but is unable to make the maneuver, it must throttle and gain altitude turning north. This would place the aircraft in the landing patterns of Lindbergh and Montgomery airfields. Traffic control at those airfields would have to divert air traffic to accommodate such events, causing long delays.

At the North Island naval airbase Brown airfield cargo aircraft would disrupt operations, as the bases air corridor would be directly on the path of the incoming and outgoing Brown airfield air operations.

Ream airfield is a Naval helicopter training facility operating during daylight hours. Their operations would be disrupted, as the Navy would not be able to undertake training while aircraft from Brown airport would be using the airspace.

The FAA report is the latest in a long series of negative reports and findings against the conversion of Brown airfield. However, the forces behind the development are such that they will continue to act to push the development on South Bay communities.

Opponents hope that the marketing report due to be released in the next week or two, will once and for all put an end to the project, as it is expect to show that the air cargo business conversion proponents claim exists, is illusionary.