Airpark Advisory Board discusses installing rotating beacon after deadly Clearwater plane crash
The Airpark Advisory Board met Thursday afternoon to discuss future safety improvements at the Airpark after a deadly plane crash in Clearwater last month. The Airpark Advisory Board in Clearwater, Florida, is meeting to discuss future safety improvements at the Airpark. The board is considering installing a rotating beacon, a light that helps pilots see for miles away. The pilot of a plane crash last month, which killed a pilot and two people in a mobile home, was unable to see the airport and its lights. Board members believe this is a priority for safety and the future of the airport. The city of Clearwater is moving quickly to install the beacon, but it will require several approvals before it can be taken to city council.
公開済み : 4週間前 沿って Alessandra Young の General
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — The Airpark Advisory Board met Thursday afternoon to discuss future safety improvements at the Airpark after a deadly plane crash in Clearwater last month.
Board members discussed installing a rotating beacon, which is extra light that helps the pilots see. Getting one is not mandatory but has always been on the list. Board members said it’s a great priority if there is a problem seeing the airport.
A rotating beacon is a white and green rotating light that helps pilots see for miles away.
Board members said they do not know what caused the deadly crash that killed a pilot and two people in a mobile home, but they prioritize safety.
“Fly USA, who runs the airport now, has the franchise, has already had this on their list,” said Roger Schulman, chairman of the Board. “It is a priority, I just wanted to make sure that we are doing everything possible to make that airport as visible as possible to prevent anything like this from happening again, if we can.”
Installing one is something Clearwater city officials said does not happen overnight.
“It’s been in our work plan, but like I said, there’s other things that have to come before installing a beacon, which is finding a location, finding the height requirements,” said Michael MacDonald, director of the marine and aviation department for City of Clearwater.
A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board said the pilot could not see the Airpark and could not see its lights.
News Channel 8 asked Schulman if last month’s tragedy has made the beacon more of a priority for the Board and community.
“Absolutely, in my opinion as chairman of the Board, I think it is a top priority, anything we can do to make safety and a safer airport is what we should do,” he said.
According to MacDonald, a rotating beacon has been entered into the grant program portal, there are several approvals it must go through before it goes to city council.
The Board said the city is moving rapidly to get this done.
“It’s a pretty dark area around that. Now the runway lights do come on and they are visible, but I think the addition of the rotating beacon would give a more distant guidepost,” Schulman said.
Schulman said the Board will also be recommending a rotating beacon to Clearwater City Council during their next periodic report.