Proposal to expand Anoka and FCM
to Minor II Relievers, 6,000ft
MAC Reliever Task Force Report 2006-
First Indication of a need to reclassify the relievers for separate uses- This report is referenced in Bell's letter.
Met Council Response to Scott Neal
The fact is that Anoka and FCM are proposed to be included in the new Minor II designation. That means the potential is there to lengthen the runway. Notice Peter Bell of the Met Council does not say that FCM will not be expanded further.
Reliever Airport Redesignations Based on Faulty Economic Premise
view word docHow Many Feet Will Flying Cloud's Longest Runway Be?
Some facts about a potential change in the Minor designation for Anoka and Flying Cloud Airport
1.Chauncey Case said in a phone conversation to Barb Haake that:A Minor I airport would have runway lengths up to 4,000 feet: A Minor II airport would have runway lengths of 4,000 feet to 6,000 feet.
2. Chauncey Case said in a phone conversation to Barb Haake that: the larger airports would be the more “sophisticated” airports in the system – Flying Clouds and AC/B as “Minor II” airports and of course, Holman Field (Downtown St. Paul) as the Intermediate airport. The other ones have less traffic and physically would never get 5,000 foot runways and part of the argument is how do you fund them over the long term? (Flying Clouds and AC/B (Anoka) are being considered as "Minor II" airports)
3. In a document from the Met Council it is clear that Scott Kipp, Eden Prairie planner and Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission representative is on the Met Council Task Force that has already met and knew about the plans to change the reliever designation in February. Scott Kipp is on the Task Force that is working with out-of-state consultants and MET Council's evaluation committee who are considering the recommendation of two minor airport definitions - Minor I and Minor II, instead of only one designation as it is now. The latter designation could have runways up to 6,000ft.
4. Mayor Phil Young only went public with this on March 3rd at the City Council Meeting. It is important to note the Met Council sends out regular correspondences/updates to cities on the Met Council agenda, meetings and topics.
5. The critical thing is the Met Council is looking at what the "role" of the relievers might be in the future. If they see FCM and Anoka's "role changing," what might that change be? Realistically they are going to give themselves growing room and leave the longer runway option open for these two airports.
Double Threats-
5. Concerned Citizens of the North Metro who live near the Anoka airport reported to the Sun Focus that Key Air (an Anoka FBO) has hired the best lobbyist in Minnesota to get legislation to change the runway designation of the relievers to 6,000ft.
6. The Met Council Task Force was created to look at the developing aviation plan and the minor I and II designation change. They have indicated Anoka and Flying Cloud would be considered Minor II airports. That would mean under law, if the law is changed, Flying Cloud could be expanded to 6,000 ft, or more than 5,000ft under the new designation. The point is if they change the designation under law, they can lengthen the runway at FCM beyond 5,000ft whether they say they are or not. It will be the law.
7. Why would the Met Council think of changing the designation of the relievers? The smaller airports are inconsequential to the change; their role has already been defined. The reliever designation change in the late nineties was to accomodate jets which would not be able to use the smaller facilities. The "role" change they are looking at now isn't for the smaller relievers it's soley for Anoka and Flying Cloud as Chauncey Case stated in a phone conversation with Barbara Haake. The question is what is the "role change" beyond 5,000ft? For now until the process plays out, we know citizens can't be reactive. Any "role change" contemplated for these two relievers beyond the 5,000ft is a serious matter for residents impacted by aviation operations.
The important thing to keep in mind: if there is a change in the law than the new law will dictate what operational changes may occur at Flying Cloud, which could include lengthening the runway beyond 5,000ft.
view pdf 
Aviation Technical Roster (doc)
Conversation with Chauncey Case (doc)