West Orange Airport Authority

WOAA BOARD

• Formed by Act of Florida Legislature 1999• Independent Special District of State of

Florida• 9 Board Members

– 3 Orange County: Guy Haggard, Patrick Phillips, Jan Potter

– 3 Governor: Ann Dupee (Lake County), Jeff Welch, Phil Tua

– 1 City of Apopka – William Morris– 1 City of Winter Garden – Frank Gilbert– 1 City of Ocoee – Major William Maxwell

WOAA Mission• Create a public owned general

aviation business commerce area for transportation and economic development for the community

Current Existing Airport• Airport has existed since 1963

• Currently has 3000’ paved runway

• Airport donated to the West Orange Aviation Authority; closed Sept, 2011.

• WOAA in process of converting airport from private to public community Airport

Current Existing Airport – looking West

Existing 3000’ Runway

NW View of Hangers

History- Approved 5 years ago

• 2000- Feasibility Study approved• 2001-2005- HOA objections to Horizon West location• 2006- New concept: Rather than build from scratch,

convert existing private airport north of Lake Apopka to public ownership.

• 2007- Numerous public hearings (Orange County, all 3 cities, 15 member local State legislative delegation, Florida Legislature, and Governor); broad support; no objections; approved.

• 2007- Approved by State Legislature and signed by Governor in 2007

• Late 2007-Residential developer offers to buy airport from owners; donation to WOAA off

• 2009 - Real estate market crash; residential developer backs out.

• 2010 - Donation discussions back on track• 2011- Donation Agreement signed and donation to

WOAA closed

WOAA GOALS

• More than an airport – Develop an Economic Engine.

• Within State Enterprise Zone – designated economically distressed area. 1 of only 59 in the State.

• Make an impact in the local economy

• Attract quality businesses with high paying jobs.

Enterprise Zone

• An Enterprise Zone is a specific geographic area targeted for economic revitalizing.  Enterprise Zones encourage economic growth and investment in distressed areas by offering tax advantages and incentives to businesses locating within the zone boundaries. 

• Currently there are 59 state Enterprise Zones.

• http://floridaenterprisezones.com/

Florida Aviation System Plan Report 2025 by FDOT

• “Airports and Aviation services play a critical role in Florida’s economic and community development.”

• “Airports are engines of business growth and job creation.”

General Aviation Airports – Economic Development Engines for Florida’s Community Development - Final 2006 Report of the Florida

Aviation Council

• Florida Community Airports support over 23,000 jobs, over $680M in total payroll, and $2.3B in total annual economic activity.

• Community Airports support vital health, welfare, and safety services

• Community Airports are part of the infrastructure needed for Florida communities to sustain and attract various types of economic development and many non-aviation businesses rely on and benefit from these airports each day.

(continued from 2006 report)

Airports and aviation services play a critical role in Florida’s economic and community development. This is true not only for tourism, which is highly dependent on air travel, but also for most other parts of the state’s economy. Manufacturing, retail and wholesale trade, management and professional services, health care, and other economic sectors use air travel. All rely on air shipping to obtain production inputs, visit markets and customers, distribute inventories to outlets, and transport products to distributors or directly to consumers. Although aviation may not be a prerequisite for particular business activities, the availability of aviation services often reduces costs, saves travel time, and expedites marketing and product delivery. Consequently, airports are engines for business growth and job creation.

Great Location• State designated “Enterprise Zone”; a

designated distressed area; tax breaks for new businesses that hire new employees in the zone

• road, rail, and air – all at one location• close to new 429 beltway• adjoins existing freight RR tracks; same tracks

also designated for commuter rail system• undeveloped wide open safe area; away from

residential areas

Environment• 3 operating airports have existed and operated here for

50 years• Not a single reported bird strike • Public ownership gives WOAA ability to control the

Airport’s air traffic patterns with FAA to keep aircraft out of North shore of Lake Apopka that is well to South, 3 miles away.

• Airport land is high and dry.• General Aviation Community Airport, not a “jet port”; no

airlines; runway length prevents large aircraft • Use is small general aviation aircraft, 4-6 seat aircraft• SATS type airport – Small Aircraft Transportation

System

• Trail Access – WOAA desires to add portal park to access Trail Systems from Airport

• WOAA is working together with SJRWMD, FDOT, and FAA so there is no impact to Lake Apopka Restoration Project.

• WOAA is required to comply with all FAA and FDOT regulations, including those related to wildlife.

• Airport will not impact Restoration Project. If any issues, Airport operations will be modified, not restoration project.

Future Possible Runway Extension in Orange County

• Preliminary discussions with SJRWMD to acquire 94 acres East of Airport for open space safety zone and possible future runway extension

• Before any runway extension, subject to review and approvals from:– SJRWMD– FAA– Orange County– FDOT

• Review and Approval process ensures no impact to Lake Apopka Restoration Project

Benefit - Provides transportation for local community

SATS – NASA/FAA’s Small Aircraft Transportation System

SATS: A bold visionNASA-led technology development aimed at increasing mobility, access for

smaller communities

Future of air travel is use of new SATS advanced quiet small 4-6 seat aircraft flying from small local airports point to point, on-

demand air taxi, for coach level fares.

SATS Aircraft – “Small Aircraft Transportation System” for Community

SATS Airport – NASA/FAA Graphic

Single runwaySmall 4-6 seat Aircraft

Typical General Aviation Aircraft

New SATS small quiet jet technology.New generation small jet aircraft similar size and weight category as prop aircraft.

Cirrus SR22 prop flying along side Cirrus SF50 VLJ

Eclipse 500 VLJ

Diamond D-Jet

Honda jet

Typical SATS Aircraft Interior

Benefits of This Public Airport

• Economic engine to community; Enterprise zone

• Attracts quality businesses that need access to airport

• Provides base for emergency medical services and police helicopters

• Increases surrounding property values and tax base

• Provides large open space and access to trail system