Letter Writer and Flight Instructor Incensed at Rent Increase for Murray Field Business

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Murray Field [All photos provided by Rose Hanan]

Humboldt County Board of Supervisors; Rex Bohn, Michelle Bushnell, Mike Wilson, Virginia Bass, Steve Madrone, Humboldt County Director of Aviation Cody Roggatz,

Humboldt County has decided to raise the rent on Northern Air Flight line building and hanger from $1,536.15 a month to $10,088.11 a month. (This is not a typo). Effective March 1, 2022. As a result, I have been informed that the Flight Line at Northern Air at Murray Field in Eureka, will be closed permanently effective March 1, 2022. I cannot help but believe that you are unaware of the significant negative impact that this will have on our community, and especially the aviation community in this area. Your rash action means there will be:

-No airplanes to rent in Humboldt County.

-No airplanes to rent to take flight lessons in Humboldt County.

-No lobby for Flight Instruction Ground lessons to be held.

-No toilet or washroom facilities other than a portable outhouse. Not even a place to wash your hands.

-No Fuel available for aircraft at Murray Field forcing pilots to fly somewhere else to get it.

-No personnel to take radio calls and give airport advisory regarding; weather conditions, wind fog visibility and runway favored.

-No personnel to remove obstructions on the runway or run the deer off the runway.

-No personnel to assist pilots who may request help via radio.

-No personnel to confirm that a plane has or has not landed when the FAA needs to know if a pilot is safe.

-No personnel to get a radio check from before takeoff.

-No pilots lounge available for people waiting for incoming aircraft or people waiting for an angel flight to get flown out of the area for medical treatment.

-No pilots lounge for pilots to get a snack, a bottle of water or pilot supplies.

-No warm place to sit out of the wind, rain or cold.

-No personnel to keep non pilots and non-aviation-oriented vehicles off the ramps and runway.

-No security whatsoever.

-No personnel to answer questions from the public regarding how to get training and where to start.

-No place in Humboldt County for our youth to explore aviation as a possible career, and start that training.

 

This outrageous rent increase is forcing Northern Air to close the doors on the flight line and discontinue the services that we have come to expect. This action has a direct impact on aviation safety in our community. It has been bad enough that the building is dilapidated and the county refuses to fix anything-leaving that burden to the tenants. The carpet is well over 40 years old and the structure is rusting out and falling apart, the roof has leaks and the paint is peeling. The structure on the west hanger door is rusted out and now held up with a very long 2 by 4. There has basically been no maintenance even when requested.

Northern Air was able to negotiate a reasonable increase in rent for the maintenance side of Northern Air. As a pilot and flight Instructor “Thank Goodness” Humboldt County will still have one certified aircraft mechanic!

I have been a FAA certified flight Instructor in Humboldt County for over 30 years. I have told my students they will need to leave Humboldt County to continue their flight lessons because there will no longer be an airplane to rent available. I have watched Humboldt County airports deteriorate over the last 30 plus years from lack of maintenance. The county only appears to be interested in Arcata airport and the commercial airlines. The county neglects the other five airports that serve General Aviation, air ambulance, Cal Fire, Courier flights from Sacramento that bring you your mail and packages, as well as angel flights and many other flights coming into Humboldt County.

It is with great sadness that I see another opportunity for the youth in our county disappearing. Most aviation flying careers begin with a private pilot’s license. I know many pilots who began their training at Northern Air and now work locally with air ambulance and Cal Fire as pilots. We have had many students go into careers with the commercial airlines, and that have successfully entered the military to become military aviators. I also know several pilots who became Instructors or bush pilots.

The loss of the flight line at Northern Air at Murray Field is the result of a county government that is financially ignorant. The county appears to have no vision for the future or the value of our local airports…. Especially to the private pilot. Most counties promote tourism thru their small General Aviation airports providing a pilot’s lounge, services, and a restaurant; providing transportation to their tourist attractions and businesses. Not ONE airport of the six in Humboldt County provides these services for General Aviation or promoting tourism. While other counties value and support their general aviation facilities, there seems to be a total lack of support for General Aviation by Humboldt County. The very nature of our location-isolated in so many other ways, would make this seem irresponsible. Airports are highly valued in other counties! What is wrong with Humboldt County?

I believe the public has a right to understand what is happening to this long-established business that is a vital service and asset. The continuing neglect of General Aviation in Humboldt County and our smaller airports is a huge loss to Humboldt County. I ask that the destruction of a vital business be reconsidered.

Diligently yours

Rose Hanan

FAA Certified Flight Instructor.