Petition to Oppose Removing the Diagonal Taxiway at KMYL

This taxiway should not be removed without a suitable plan to replace it. The removal of the taxiway will negatively impact traffic flow, increase congestion (creating a hot spot on the airfield that’s not necessary) and increase the chances of aircraft accidents or incidents while on the ground. A significant change as this MUST require additional thought and planning.

The McCall airport exists to serve the pilots that use the airport. Safety and ease of use are important to facilitate the best use of this asset. Removing the existing diagonal taxiway prior to having an operational replacement is not good planning and likely to cause frustration of pilots trying to access the runways and ramp areas. Past predictions of when future improvements will happen have a poor track record compared to what actually happens. Do not remove a positive asset before a better alternative is operational is sound practice and should be followed. The lack of adequate aircraft flow considerations at the north end of the runway and ramp areas invites bent aluminum and bad tempers. I believe this also invites legal exposure to the airport management city by unnecessarily restricting aircraft flow after being advised by numerous pilots that use this airport of the potential dangers. I believe it is always best to plan ahead and avoid altercations by foreseeing potential problems and making sound decisions of what is the proper and best sequence of operations in a redevelopment project such as this. I also believe the argument that future funding would not be available to remove the existing diagonal is false and can be determined by non-biased discussions with FAA representatives. It appears there is a conflict of interest that is not serving the best needs of the users of the airport, the pilots. John Seevers

As the owner of #202 it creates an unnecessary transition through crowded areas to taxi for departure from 34 or taxi back from landing 16

This decision to decommission the diagonal taxiway makes no common sense. Please reconsider.

Really? Remove the diagonal taxiway!? Thats an IQ test. Is the mastermind behing this actually a pilot?

I use this airport on a regular basis every month of hte year. This airport NEEDS this taxiway. This is not some back woods airstrip that can allow for entry / exit at one point. The traffic volume DEMANDS safer options. Keep the taxiway open!!!!!

Why would you want to disable a perfectly good, functioning taxi way?

Stop you folks please, just stop. You wish to ruin what has been working for over 66 years. McCall if you do this I will question your intelligence!

P.S. I received an update from Rick Stein. Funding would be approved in one year and it would take two to three years before an exit to a new east/west taxiway will be usable.

Fellow IAA Members, Over the past few days, I have spoken with those involved in the planning and execution of removing the diagonal MYL taxiway. I know that this taxiway is a favorite for some of you and that many are opposed to its removal. Here are the key points as I have been able to learn them: - The FAA doesn’t approve of the current configuration of the MYL diagonal taxiway for safety reasons. Failing to remove it as requested will jeopardize the FAA funding that has made the airport what it is today, not to mention beneficial planned improvements the FAA has agreed to fund. - The FAA has funded the phase of the masterplan that removes the diagonal taxiway. If we do not take advantage of FAA funding now, it is almost a certainty that the city will have to remove it at taxpayers’ expense at a later time. - Rick Stein, MYL’s airport manager, estimates that it will only be 1 to 1-1/2 years before an exit to a new east/west taxiway will be built. This second east/west taxiway will be constructed somewhere between the existing east/west taxiway and the parking ramp. The FAA has already committed the funds for this work and they do not generally go back on committed funds. NB: There are uncertainties in this new economy so delays in funding are possible even if not expected. Please let me know if you have further questions. I’ll do my best to get them answered. Rob Tucker President McCall Chapter IAA

A suitable replacement needs to immediatily follow removal of the diagonal taxiway.  The diagonal taxiway moves a tremendous amount of traffic during peak times of the year alleviating congestion at the north end of the airport - especially for departing traffic. 

I agree that no useable taxiway should be removed without replacement !!!

Until a suitable alternative is planned and executed, please leave the current diagonal taxway in place for the safe and effective use of the airport.

6 years ago Featured

I fly in to McCall frequently and almost exclusively use the diagonal taxi way for exiting the runway after landing and taxiing to parking. Removal of it with out a suitable replacement would create an airport hot spot at the runway 16 end. Leading to an increased chance of runway incursion, congestion and delays.

Until a suitable alternative is planned and executed, please leave the current diagonal taxway in place for the safe and effective use of the airport.

The diagonal taxi way provides for the orderly and safe ground flow corresponding to the recommended air traffic patterns in use. The City must recognize that by removing this component of flowability, it is compromising safety and inviting inevitable traffic conflicts.

The diagonal taxiway is great for safely and efficiently de-conflicting taxi traffic. I use it 100% on landing either runway, north or south.

Having the long-standing and safely used diagonal taxiway remain until an adequate alternative taxiway has been constructed is logical, safe, and effective. Taking this method of separating airplanes moving on the airport away before a replacement has been built would be like putting your shoes on before looking for socks. Don't do it! Let logic and experience drive airport actions. Thank you, Paul Collins MD

I use this taxiway all the time

The diagonal taxiway provides a more efficient, and more importantly, safe alternate exit on this uncontrolled airport with conflicting traffic.