Latest shot fired by city in attempt to subvert truth:
Morrison addresses issues surrounding New Braunfels Aero Services
Posted: Saturday, March 26, 2011 12:00 am
Morrison addresses issues surrounding New Braunfels Aero Services By Michael Morrison Guest columnist Herald-Zeitung | 0 comments
Over the last few months, much has been written about the City and its relationship with one of its airport tenants, New Braunfels Aero Services, Inc. (NB Aero).
As an airport tenant, NB Aero is responsible for properly maintaining its facilities and conducting its operations in a safe manner that is in compliance with all applicable federal , state and local regulations and codes, as well as the airport’s own operating procedures. The City, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Federal Aviation Administration has had ongoing concerns about NB Aero’s compliance with these regulations, codes and operating procedures and the City has sought to resolve these concerns with NB Aero.
Runway Safety
As a result of an NB Aero fuel truck crossing an active runway on Sept. 30, 2010 and again on Oct. 28, 2010, the City was notified of an FAA investigation of the incident and directed to take corrective actions. As a result, the NB Aero employee has been banned from crossing active runways or taxiways.
NB Aero’s fuel farm
On Sept. 9, 2010, the City received notification from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that NB Aero was considered to be a poor performer in its management of a fuel farm (an aircraft gas station) that is operated by NB Aero, but owned by the City. The City, as owner of the airport and the fuel farm, commissioned an independent assessment of the fuel farm to determine the extent to which NB Aero had complied-or failed to comply-with environmental regulations governing the operation of the fuel farm. That report and subsequent follow up reports identified a number of environmental violations at the fuel farm.
During this same period, the Fire Marshal was inspecting all buildings and facilities at the airport, including those operated by NB Aero. Upon inspecting the fuel farm, a number of fire and building code violations were observed. After allowing NB Aero to transfer the stored fuel into an available fuel tanker, the fuel farm was shut down until NB Aero brings the farm into compliance with applicable building, fire and safety codes.
NB Aero is fully aware of its options and responsibilities with regard to its fuel farm operations. It could have brought the fuel farm into compliance with applicable environmental, safety and building codes and regulations before the City was forced to shut down the fuel farm for environmental and safety violations. It also could have leased a temporary fuel tank that meets TCEQ regulations so as to allow it to continue fueling operations while making a diligent effort to repair and remedy the poor conditions and violations at the fuel farm.
Fuel delivery on March 5
Recently, NB Aero accepted delivery of unidentified fuel for transfer into its 100LL (Avgas) refueling truck. There were serious concerns about the fact that the federally-required paperwork certifying the nature and quality of the fuel apparently did not accompany the fuel, the delivery came in an unauthorized vehicle, the delivery was made in a location behind an NB Aero hangar out of view of airport officials, no verification as to the composition or quality of the fuel appears to have been made by NB Aero, and representations were made by NB Aero that the fuel had not been sold and would not be sold to customers when the fuel had, in fact, been sold to customers at the airport.
The use of improper or contaminated fuel in the type of small aircraft that use 100LL (Avgas) can cause engine malfunction and even seizure that can have catastrophic consequences. Because the City could not verify that the fuel delivered to NB Aero on March 5th was certified 100LL (Avgas), it was forced to go to court to gain NB Aero’s cooperation in determining the nature of the fuel and to prohibit NB Aero from continuing to use the unidentified fuel in its flight school operations.
There is presently an ongoing criminal investigation of the firm that supplied the questioned fuel to NB Aero. The criminal investigation does not involve NB Aero.
The City stands ready to work with anyone to ensure the safe operation of the airport. It does not take its responsibility to the aviation community and the general public lightly, and will continue to take steps to ensure the safety of all who use the airport and those in the surrounding community.
The TCEQ letter, associated third party inspection reports, the FAA correspondence on NB Aero’s runway safety violations, and the documents submitted to the district court are all available for public review at the City Secretary’s Office at 424 S. Castell.
Michael Morrison is the city manager of New Braunfels. He can be reached by e-mail at mmorrison@nbtexas.org or by phone at (830) 221-4280
Our response:
The City manager could put a stop to this if he just released the results of the fuel analysis from fuel in the NB Aero tanker. Why are you stalling ? Let me answer that for you. Your airport director has put the city in a predicament. He claims the fuel is bad but he did nothing for 5 days. If this really were a safety issue and planes crashed the city would share that liability for not acting immediately. Also, by keeping the results of the test secret he is causing aircraft owners to make the choice of either flying their aircraft and risking who knows what or waiting for the city to disclose the test results preventing aircraft from flying and loosing revenue and enjoyment of their investment. The third choice is to remove and dispose of the fuel and replace it at considerable expense. If the fuel is later found to be good the operator may pursue legal action for expenses for unnecessary maintenance caused by the city's accusations.. Thats what we are trying to avoid Mr. Morrison. Just release the results.
NB Aero had Fuel test results returned and distributed to pilots March 16th.
As for safety on the taxiways and ramp area. I have observed your city vehicles including fuel trucks routinely speeding on the ramp and taxiways. The sign at the entrance to the ramp indicates the speed limit is 15 MPH. Your drivers were going at least 30 mph if not 40. I have observed drivers drive directly at aircraft and not use chocks when they exited the vehicle with the engine running. I have even come face to face with a police car while taxiing to the runway. Tower was closed.
INTIMIDATION BY AIRPORT EMPLOYEES. On Wednesday March 16th the airport director led a convoy of 8 large vehicles blocking the New Braunfels Aero ramp. Only 4 people exited the vehicles. They could have all fit in one or two vehicles and parked in the parking lot. The airport director then called 911 because the local plane spotter dared to take pictures of the event. Since the police were called this should be a matter of record as police time was spent/ wasted on this abuse of the 911 system.
I ask again Mr. Morrison. Release the results of the fuel test .
As you know an open records act request has been delivered to the city. The results are known by your lawyers I'm sure. Smart building a firewall of contract lawyers so you can claim YOU DON"T KNOW.
I even have a copy of independent analysis dated 16 march that I showed to the fire marshal.
The fuel is good.... Report from Alcor Petrolab: Aviation gas 100LL blue in color.
Note: Sample meets ASTM D-910 specifications for aviation gasoline for the above test. Sample shows no signs of contamination with a heavier product.
Stop hiding under this criminal investigation excuse and release the test results.
Other irregularities:$20,000 grant given to alpha aircraft for purchase of FAA service manuals. Not real property that the city owns but tools used in aircraft maintenance. Aug 9, 2010 council meeting page 19-21. I didn't mention the $400,000 spent to upgrade the building for Alpha.
$70,000 shifted to airport balance to show a positive balance on the airport operation.
You won't allow NB Aero to spend its own money to make upgrades to its facility.
Show us the results of the fuel analysis Mr. Morrison. I promise I won't sue .
Also:
Correction, the city allocated $70,000 of $400,000 Industrial development Corporation grant money to upgrade Alpha aircraft's facility. Not $400,000 as I stated earlier, Alpha is a good company and I have no beef with them.
Mr Morrison, Why not use industrial Development Corporation money to upgrade NB Aeros facilities Or a least repair the street leading to NB Aero. Since the fuel farm is the property of the city it would be a legitimate use of Industrial Development Corporation money for modification and remediation as it is doing to hanger 2317 by remodeling office space, upgrade electrical , install a new air compressor and air lines and install radiant heat.
Lets play fair, I'm sure the airport director could assist with the proper paperwork to get this done and present it to the council for approval. That is if there is still any money remaining in the Industrial Development Corporation fund. You could just get a refill from the taxpayers. Industrial development Corp. money could also be used to give flight line driving lessons to all employees at the airport. They are available on line. Its a requirement at many airports.
This would solve all the safety issues and make the airport a safe and happy place for it tenants, customers, and visitors alike. We could all have a barbeque and be friends. We'll just need to remember not to do it within 50 feet of the fuel farm, fuel trucks or aircraft and not speed on the flight line getting there or cross any runways without contacting the tower first. And please Leave your guns at home.
It could be held in conjunction with an OPEN HOUSE at the City Terminal. The airport master plan could also be presented with advice on how to get grants and permits to do business at the airport.
But first I'd like to see the fuel analysis report.
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The city fire marshal has now approved a temporary storage tank for JET A.
I think the fact that city manager Morrison posted as a guest columnist shows that they are desperate. Afraid of being sued. That still may happen I suspect. Some deep pockets are involved.
The truth is being revealed. The emperior has no clothes.
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