West Capital Developments has notified the tenants of the Carp Airport (CYRP) of their plans to decommission runway 04/22 permanently. This will impact the airport on numerous different aspects. Carp is heavily used by flight schools from Gatineau, Ottawa, Arnprior and surrounding areas for students to practice Touch and Go and Stop and Go landings. It is also used by low, mid and high time pilots and having access to a runway in the busy flying season (summer months) that can accommodate landing away from a cross wind is an extra level of safety for everyone using the airport. It also allows all pilots and area to practice skills that are not required on a 4000' paved runway, an added plus and for new pilots.
The cost aspect to maintain a gravel / grass strip would be marginal when weighed against the safety factor of having it. Considering that in the operational season May - November, the runway is used daily.
West Capital Development clearly has plans for the land surrounding the airport, to develop them and turn a profit while doing so, and as a business, they are allowed to make money. However the logic for closing 04/22 to build hangars, does not seem to be the real root cause of the reason to close this runway. Furthermore, the existing, taxiways, and drive areas are in need of much repair as they are starting to badly decay. Prior to spending money on further capital development, the current grounds should be repaired and maintained.
Other options should be considered to bring in revenue instead of closing the secondary runway. The FBO building is already up for sale, if things are allowed to continue down this path, it won't be long until the entire airport becomes redeveloped as something else.
Please support the petition and let Mr. Wildeboer and West Capital Developments know that the runway is a valued asset to the Carp Airport.
http://chng.it/JhQ47TgX
Once decommissioned, it will never come back.
Thank You,
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