Frequently Asked Questions #3

This is the third in a series of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). You can read all the FAQs here.

People say we have a short runway – but don’t much bigger airports like John Wayne in California and Midway in Chicago have even shorter runways?

It’s true that at 6,304 feet, Panama City has one of the shortest commercial runways in Florida (If I’m not mistaken, only Key West’s is shorter).

Here’s the thing that is hard for many to understand.

A number of factors impact the effective length of a runway. For example, heat and humidity, of which we have plenty, affect the length of runway an airplane needs to take off. So does the weight of the aircraft – for example whether it’s fully loaded.

So in 2004, Vice President Cheney’s plane was able to land at PFN because the plane did not have a full load. Take that same plane, fill it completely with 130 passengers, their luggage and fuel and you need a lot more runway to take off or land safely on a hot, humid day.

The FAA has carefully studied our runway system and concluded that maintaining the status quo is “not reasonable, feasible, practicable or prudent.” We need a longer runway system with standard-sized runway safety areas. That’s the FAA’s judgment.

When I get on a plane, I’m going to put my faith in the plane’s pilot and the FAA, not some of the local “experts” who keep saying our runway is long enough.

Our airport is conveniently located in downtown Panama City. Why are we moving it to the middle of nowhere?

Actually, we’re moving it to a location that is at almost the exact center of the Primary Service Area.

Our airport serves more than just Panama City. It serves people from Destin to Port St. Joe. So while it may be a little farther for some people, it will be more convenient for others.

The FAA did a detailed study on travel to the new airport site and they found that the average air traveler would have to drive for five additional minutes to get to the new site. And that average drive will improve as the access roads improve (and as the population of western Bay County and Walton County continues to grow).

The West Bay Sector Plan establishes a 40,000-acre conservation area around West Bay. What happens to it if the airport doesn’t relocate?

No airport relocation, no preservation area.

The St. Joe Company will regain its development rights on the land. I can’t speak for St. Joe, but I imagine that they would end up developing that land because it is some of the most beautiful property in Bay County.

Many local environmentalists have worked very hard to ensure the West Bay shoreline and watershed is protected forever. They are willing to support airport relocation to protect West Bay. In my opinion, it’s a very good deal.

The West Bay Sector Plan is very good for Bay County and Northwest Florida. It creates a framework and long-term plan for development in the county. And it protects our most precious environmental resource – West Bay.