Magnetic variation (MAGVAR) determines true north and helps maintain accurate displays for pilots during flight and other systems like auto flight. The variation is displayed on an airport runway and can change over time due to magnetic declination. According to City officials, the MAGVAR at the Winnemucca Municipal Airport needs to be updated, along with lights and wind cones.
The Winnemucca City Council approved a request to update signage, lights and other elements at the Airport at its regular meeting on Aug. 22 with Councilwoman Pam Coats and Councilman Vince Mendiola absent.
The design of the updates, which will employ the professional engineering services of Armstrong Consultants, will cost $89,590 and take a significant amount of time for the consultants to complete, but the Council agreed that the updates were necessary for pilot and public safety.
Wind cones are a basic guide to the direction and speed of the wind, according to Winnemucca City Manager and Airport Manager Alicia Heiser and the current cones, although up to the specifications of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), “are not up to snuff with the Winnemucca winds,” and are frequently blown over.
Part of Armstrong’s design services will include the relocation of the cones if necessary so they do not break and the submission of a new design to the FAA for approval.
Precision Approach Path Indicators (PAPI) are lights which provide visual guidance for pilots when landing and are also going to be evaluated along with other signage with lights that will be switched to LED lights.
All of the updates will be paid for through special funding that the Winnemucca Airport receives each year as a part of infrastructure funding, according to Heiser.
Airport Board Member Tom Hoss was present at the meeting and informed the Council that the Board did not approve the design services at its previous meeting and he felt that the cost of the services were too high.
The Council asked if Hoss had any alternative ideas or thoughts for the updates but he did not provide any.
Heiser explained that the work involved in the engineering process is extensive and very specific in nature and that she has evaluated the services proposal from Armstrong and had found that they were not overcharging for the services. Armstrong Consultants is also the only contractor that the City can work with for the specialized work by FAA regulation.
Airport Board Chairman Wayne Smith also attended the meeting and clarified the airport board did not vote on a motion at all — it wasn't a case of disapproving the motion. He added that the designs and updates are absolutely necessary and that he felt that they are a priority.
In other Council news:
• The Council tabled a request by the Historic Resources Commission to apply for a Historic Preservation Fund subgrant from the State Historic Preservation Office for the nomination of a historic district in Winnemucca.
Commission Chairman and Humboldt Museum Director Dana Toth told the Council that there is still more work that needs to be done in order to establish a historic district in Winnemucca and the Commission can apply next year after more specific boundaries are established for a district.
• The Council approved a request to change the Recreation Specialist position title to Parks and Recreation Director and revise the salary range.
According to Heiser, the change will help department heads focus on specific tasks during the busiest seasons in a more timely manner while still maintaining the ability to aid other departments during slow seasons.
• The Council received an update regarding progress on the construction of a new aquatics center and are still expecting a report regarding the geotechnical work done on the two potential locations for the facility near the Winnemucca Boys & Girls Club.
According to Heiser, the project designers, KNIT, will be scheduling a presentation to the Council soon.