Submitted By: Matthew Grow
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Presentation By: Matthew Grow
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Department: Aviation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Approve Reimbursable Agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to support a limited design and implementation for a siting study to determine feasibility and cost of raising or dopplerizing the Very High Frequency Omni-Directional Range Tactical Air Navigation and co-located communications at Ocala International Airport in the amount of $58,807
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OCALA’S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
NA
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BACKGROUND:
The Very High-Frequency Omni-Directional Range (VOR) is a ground-based radio navigation system developed in the 1930s. It still plays a crucial role in helping aircraft determine their position and for navigation during non-precision approaches and en-route flights. A VORTAC, which combines a VOR with a TACAN (Tactical Air Navigation) system, serves both civilian and military navigation needs. The Ocala Airport has a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-owned and maintained VORTAC, installed in the late 1960s.
As satellite navigation technology advances, the FAA is actively working to decommission a significant number of VORs across the country, with plans to decommission up to 300 by the year 2030. However, the VORTAC at the Ocala Airport has not been slated for deactivation. In fact, the FAA has emphasized in emails the importance of Ocala's VORTAC, recognizing its critical role in the Nation’s navigation infrastructure. Staff is advocating for a siting study to analyze a possible upgrade to this system to minimize future airport development's effect on its functionality.
The FAA Eastern Service Area, NAVAIDS Engineering Center has developed a project scope and drafted the Reimbursable Agreement. This agreement outlines the costs the City must pre-pay to the FAA to begin a siting study for the VORTAC. The FAA determines the price, and the City plans to seek FAA discretionary grant funding later this year to cover these expenses when the grant application window opens.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
• The Ocala VORTAC is essential due to its location in the state's center.
• There are several “airways” leading to and from the Ocala VORTAC, making it a strategic part of the National Airspace System (NAS).
• The US Military also uses the VORTAC.
• Development west of the Ocala Runway 18/36 could be impeded by restrictions on property surrounding the VORTAC (a clear zone with a 1,000’ radius centered on the VORTAC).
• The Study will look to raise or “dopplerize” the VORTAC to reduce this clear area or the effect development has on the VORTAC.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for this project is being appropriated by a budget resolution on the general business portion of this meeting’s agenda in 451-027-720-542-54-31010.
PROCUREMENT REVIEW:
This Agreement has been reviewed in compliance with the City’s Procurement Policy.
LEGAL REVIEW:
This Agreement will be reviewed and approved for form and legality by City Attorney, William E. Sexton.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny