COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Department of Public Works

DATE:

March 25, 2004

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 20, 2004

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Neil R. Cullen, Director of Public Works

SUBJECT:

Hiller Museum Vertical Challenge Helicopter Air Show - San Carlos Airport

Recommendation

Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board to execute an agreement with the Hiller Aviation Museum (Hiller Museum) which allows the Hiller Museum to conduct a Helicopter Air Show and Aircraft Display (Air Show) at the San Carlos Airport on Saturday, June 12, 2004 (4/5ths vote required).

Previous Board Action

Executed similar agreements with the Hiller Museum for past year's Air Shows.

Key Facts

1.

Section 25536 of the Government Code provides that a board of supervisors, by 4/5ths vote, may enter into agreements to allow activities on county property held for airport purposes.

2.

Airport businesses do not object to this event being held at the San Carlos Airport.

3.

This event is conducted as a fundraiser for the Hiller Museum.

Discussion

We have developed an agreement which provides that the Hiller Museum is allowed to conduct a one-day Helicopter Air Show event on Saturday, June 12, 2004. The Air Show is a tribute to the contributions of helicopters in our daily lives, from traffic and news reporting to military applications and lifesaving operations. The event will consist of:

1.

Static display of military and civilian helicopters.

2.

Helicopter rides.

3.

The sale of food, beer and wine from participating groups.

4.

Parachute jump.

5.

Remote control helicopter demonstration.

6.

Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter demonstration.

7.

Helicopter water drop demonstration.

8.

"Otto the Clown" helicopter air show demonstration.

9.

"Captain Lazer" helicopter air show demonstration and pyrotechnic display.

10.

"ShowCopters" helicopter air show demonstration.

11.

Military helicopter demonstrations.

12.

Harrier (vertical landing and takeoff ) jet aircraft demonstration.

The agreement requires that the sale of alcohol during the event shall be in compliance with the County's sale of alcohol policies.

A $15 entrance fee will be charged to the general public with a $10 fee for Seniors and a $5 fee for children ages 5-7. Children under five (5) are free.

The Hiller Museum will provide sufficient volunteers to coordinate parking and the general policing of the areas to be used. They are coordinating traffic control with the California Highway Patrol and the Cities of San Carlos and Redwood City; and are also coordinating with the local providers of emergency services, many of whom are participating in the event.

The Airport will be closed to normal take-offs and landings during two one-hour periods on the day of the event for the purposes of conducting the helicopter air-show demonstrations. We have notified all tiedown and hangar tenants of the proposed event as well as the Fixed Based Operators and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Additionally, the event has been advertised in the local newspapers.

The Hiller Museum will be celebrating, during this year's Vertical Challenge Air Show, the 60^th Anniversary of the Hiller Helicopter and the over 3,000 helicopters built by Stanley Hiller. This year's event, as in previous years, includes military and emergency service helicopters over the airport's 12,500-pound weight limit including the Chinook CH-47, Super Stallion CH-53, Sky Crane and Apache AH-64. We are proposing to grant a one-time waiver to the airport's 12,500-pound weight restriction for the specified display aircraft if your Board approves the proposed resolution. The Agreement requires the Hiller Museum to place steel plates under helicopters as necessary to distribute their weight and ensure that no damage will occur to the airport pavement surfaces.

The Hiller Museum is required to provide insurance coverage for the event meeting the requirements of the County Risk Manager.

Vision Statement

We believe our recommendation is consistent with the Shared Commitment to be a responsive, effective and collaborative government," as approving the proposed resolution provides an educational opportunity for the general public and a funding opportunity for the Hiller Museum.

Fiscal Impact

The Airport will receive $.75 per ticket and two percent (2%) of the Hiller Aviation Museum's gross proceeds for the event based on the standard requirements of the Museum's operating agreement with the County.

There is no impact to the General Fund.

A form of resolution and the agreement have been approved by County Counsel and the Hiller Museum has executed the agreement.