Airport Advisory Board

PITKIN COUNTY AIRPORT ADVISORY BOARD

About

The Airport Advisory Board creates a formalized structure for community members to get involved and provide advice on how the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) can accommodate the community’s air service needs and reflect changes in the air service and aviation industry, while also remaining true to the character and values of the community. Creation of this board is in recognition of the fact that the activities of the airport affect the community in myriad ways requiring governance and ongoing community input.

Background
In 2018, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released an “Environmental Assessment” of potential changes at Aspen/Pitkin County Airport required to improve safety and receive federal funding. In response, the ASE Vision process facilitated a robust community review of the FAA alternatives and identified a comprehensive set of Common Ground Recommendations to make the airport safer, quieter, and cleaner. The creation of the Airport Advisory Board was one of the key community safeguard recommendations that came out of the ASE Vision process. In 2021, the Pitkin County Commissioners approved the formation of the Airport Advisory Board to ensure the Common Ground Recommendations are implemented in the redevelopment of the airport and the airport’s broader future.

Discover more about the ASE Vision process: www.aspenairport.com/modernization/ase-vision-resources/

Do you have questions or suggestions for the Airport Advisory Board? Email airportadvisoryboard@aspenairport.com.

Are you interested in applying for the Airport Advisory Board? Follow this link: https://pitkincounty.com/376/Citizen-Boards

 

Meeting with the FAA

On April 11, 2023, John Bauer, manager of the Northwest Region for the Federal Aviation Administration, met with the Airport Advisory Board, Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners, and the public. He answered a variety of questions about a planned redevelopment of the Aspen Airport.

 

Airport Redevelopment Background

 

Watch and attend

Meetings

 

Monthly Board Meetings: Documents & Presentations Library

Airport Advisory Board Meeting Resources

Meeting NameDateAgendaMinutesRecording
February 202502/20/25AAB Agenda and Draft Meeting Minutes from January
January 202501/16/25AgendaRecording
December 202412/19/24Meeting CanceledMeeting CanceledMeeting Canceled
November 202411/21/24AgendaMinutesRecording
October 202410/17/24Meeting CanceledMeeting CanceledMeeting Canceled
September 202409/19/24AgendaMinutesRecording
August 202408/15/24AgendaMinutesRecording
July 202407/18/24AgendaMinutesRecording
June 202406/20/24AgendaMinutesRecording
May 202405/16/24AgendaMinutesRecording
April 202404/18/24Meeting CanceledMeeting CanceledMeeting Canceled
March 202403/21/24AgendaMinutesRecording
February 202402/15/24AgendaMinutesRecording
January 202401/18/24AgendaMinutesRecording
AAB Meetings 2023All of 2023Agendas/Minutes 2023Recordings 2023
AAB Meetings 2022All of 2022Agendas/Minutes 2022Recordings 2022
Airport Advisor Board Sub-Committees

ASE Flight Ops Safety Task Force

The mission of the Flight Ops Safety Task Force is to maximize safety and reduce aviation accidents and incidents at the airport and within local airspace. The group is composed of 11 local pilots and its bylaws limit its focus strictly to aviation-related safety in the air and on the ground. The Task Force will formulate recommendations for consideration by the Airport Advisory Board and ultimately the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC).

Members: Barry Vaughan (Chair), Mike Waters, Bruce Gordon, Mike Solondz, Walter Obermeyer, William Landis, Gary Kraft, Peter Hutter, Bret Detwiler, Daniel Baker, and Tyson Weihs

Member Bios

 

ASE FlightOps Safety Task Force Recommendations

 

February 2025 Meeting Canceled

January 2025 Meeting Canceled

 

STF Meeting Agendas 2024

STF Meeting Recordings 2024

STF Meeting Agendas 2023

STF Meeting Recordings 2023

STF Meeting Agendas 2022

STF Meeting Recordings 2022

 

 

Airport Advisory Board Sub-Committees

Aspen/Pitkin County Airport Fly With Integrity - Noise Program

Since the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE or Airport) established the Fly Quiet Program in 2008, it has been a key part of ASE’s efforts to reduce the impacts of aircraft noise on the surrounding community. ASE has regularly updated the noise program to reflect changing needs and to keep pace with new developments in noise monitoring technology. ASE is currently undergoing an effort to update the noise program, and to better reflect ASE’s intention of the Program, the name of the program was changed from “Fly Quiet” to “Fly With Integrity” in 2024. The Airport will be updating Fly With Integrity as part of a modernization effort, and looks to integrate sustainability and air quality metrics into the Fly With Integrity program in the near future.

Noise Reduction Goal
In 2019, as part of the Airport Visioning Process, a noise-related Core Community Goal was set for the Airport: Reduce noise by at least 30 percent

In an effort to better track progress toward a reduction in noise by at least 30 percent, ASE is modernizing its existing noise program. This effort includes the use of eight year-round noise monitors that continuously measure and record noise levels, development of outreach materials to educate operators on how they can help contribute to achieving the goal, and the introduction of new metrics that will enhance ASE’s ability to assess and monitor noise associated with aircraft operations. In addition to noise monitoring data that is being collected, the Airport is leveraging operational data, radar flight track data, and noise contour modeling to gain further insight into the noise produced by aircraft operating at ASE.

The first task in the noise program modernization effort was to site the eight year-round noise monitors. These monitors were installed in early fall 2024 in the locations identified in the map linked here.

History of ASE’s Voluntary Noise Program

In 2008, ASE established the voluntary Fly Quiet Program with the purpose of supporting our local community in working to minimize noise associated with the airport. The Fly Quiet Program encouraged operators to mitigate noise from aircraft operations and to comply with voluntary noise abatement procedures. Fly Quiet Reports dating back to 2015 are available on the ASE website reports page.

Initially, the Fly Quiet Program analyzed two categories of noise: Fleet Noise Quality and Minimizing High Noise Events. In 2020 a third category was added: Minimize Runway 33 Arrivals; and in 2021 an additional category was integrated to the program: Quiet Fleet. In total, the following four categories have been analyzed as part of the Airport’s historical Fly Quiet Program:

1. Fleet Noise Quality
2. Minimize High Noise Events
3. Minimize Runway 33 Arrivals
4. Quiet Fleet, Bonus Category

Airport operators are divided into two groups for evaluation: 1) operators with over 60 operations per year, and 2) operators with 12 to 60 operations per year. Within these two groups, operators are categorized based on the type of operators (either Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations [14 CFR] Part 135, which incorporates fractional and charter operations, OR single owners or small fleets [single aircraft]). For each operator, scores are calculated, and reports are generated to evaluate compliance with the voluntary noise program categories. The program was designed to be modified and expanded as additional radar and noise monitoring capabilities became available. For example, year-round noise monitoring at the Woody Creek Remote Noise Monitoring Site was added in 2020 to supplement the seasonal noise monitoring that had been conducted there previously. The Airport Advisory Board is currently reviewing the noise program to modernize metrics and measures that will better allow the Airport to make progress toward the Community Visioning goal.

How are noise levels measured?

Modeling of noise is conducted using the FAA approved Aviation Environmental Design Tool
(AEDT), which is updated frequently to account for current aircraft, operational considerations,
and modeling enhancements. AEDT is a robust program containing information required to
present the aircraft noise environment. While the majority of airports do not have noise
monitoring systems, ASE uses eight year-round noise monitors that continuously measure and
record noise levels around the airport. Noise monitoring can help to validate the modeling
through using actual data compared to the modeled information to ensure that the modeled
noise is consistent with the actual measurements on the ground.

What metrics are used to measure and analyze aircraft noise?

Various metrics are used to measure and assess aircraft noise. The four most common metrics
are described below.
1. Maximum Level (Lmax): The maximum, or highest dB, recorded from a specific
event.
2. Sound Exposure Level (SEL): An overall assessment of the sound produced from an
event.
3. Equivalent Sound Level (LEQ): The average noise over a specified time period that
includes multiple sound events.
4. Day/ Night Average Sound Level (DNL): The average noise over a 24-hour period.
The DNL adds 10 dB to noise produced from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. DNL is the FAA
preferred metric to define land use compatibility associated with aircraft noise.
As the new Fly With Integrity Program is developed, additional noise monitoring metrics can be
added specific to ASE in order to better assess the impacts of noise on the surrounding
community. In addition, noise metric thresholds will be identified that should be modified as the
Program matures.

Meet the Board.

Who's at the table?

Jacque Francis (Chair)

“As growth struggles with charm and tradition in the Roaring Fork Valley, I feel being on the AAB means finding the right balance for our community.”

Jacquelyn Francis, climate scientist, Executive Director of an International climate action organization and a long time local, moved to Aspen in 1971 at the age of 7, attended Aspen Elementary (Yellow brick and red brick), Aspen Middle and Aspen High schools. Was on the Kids First Board when her two daughters were toddlers, started the Playhouse at the Red Brick (through lobbying the city council), was on the N40 HOA board, has been on airport committees for around 20 years and was navigator of the Aspen Airport Visionary process. She has many years of experience living next to the airport, working on airport volunteer committees, utilizing the airport for travel and working for the greater good of the Roaring Fork Valley and for global community (regarding climate action).

 

 

Meg Haynes (Vice Chair)

“I hope to build consensus among disparate community members to implement the Common Ground Recommendations defined in the BOCC 105-2020 Resolution.” 

Meg Haynes is a management consultant specializing in coaching and facilitating strategic planning for executives, communications processes, and the development and implementation of business plans. For 30+ years Meg has consulted with Fortune 100 companies’ Presidents, CEOs and executives to develop company-wide strategic business planning processes in the US, London, Hong Kong and South America. Meg’s global consultative work has focused on providing high-level creative problem solving and corporate planning initiatives. She was a Junior League national officer, a Pecos River Leadership Development facilitator, and also affiliated with the Stephen Covey Leadership Center. Prior to moving to Aspen in 1989, Meg chaired eight different Spartanburg, SC community boards. Meg was the publicly elected Aspen Valley Hospital Board President for nine years and President of the Starwood Homeowners Association and Metropolitan Boards. She assisted in initiating Leadership Aspen and provided training for Aspen participants and in other US cities. Meg was the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners’ appointed Vice Chairman of the Aspen Airport Vision Committee and a Commissioners’ Pitkin County Cares “Exceptional One Time Event” Award recipient. Meg lives in Glenwood Springs, CO, and is a licensed realtor with Sotheby’s.

Valerie Braun

“I am appreciative to be able to continue working on the redevelopment of the Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.”

I have had an interest in the Aspen Airport for fifty years, having lived under the flight path in Woody Creek for forty-eight of those years!  As a member of the Woody Creek Caucus and later in a leadership role for the caucus, I had the opportunity to learn so much about the operation of the airport and from personal experience the needs of the terminal.  Because of that interest, I applied for and was placed on the ASEvision committee and worked for nearly two years studying how to improve the airport both on the landside and airside of Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.

After spending my first year on the Aspen Airport Advisory Board, I understand the work that needs to be done to bring our airport into the twenty-first century.  I am looking forward to tasks before the Board:  building a new terminal, creating better connectivity for ground transportation, finding ways to monitor and lessen the impacts (noise, greenhouse gases, and criteria pollutants), improving safety training for all pilots, and helping to deliver a world-class airport to a community that will feel it is an asset and something for which to be proud to call Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport

Auden Schendler

“We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to model cutting edge climate, transportation, and community health solutions for the country.”

Auden Schendler is Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company where he works on big scale solutions to climate change. He is author of the book “Getting Green Done,” and speaks and publishes widely. He has been a town councilman, a Colorado Air Quality Control Commissioner, a trailer insulator, a high school teacher, and like many in the Roaring Fork Valley, a burger flipper.

Bruce Gordon

“Being a pilot and flying out of Kase for such a long time it is an honor to have been chosen from so many talented individuals to represent my community.” 

Bruce has been providing the all-encompassing aerial perspective over critical issues on our Western landscapes for over 35 years. A Himalayan climber, the outdoors is close to Bruce’s heart; he has flown over 15,000 hours of conservation missions in multiple countries, mostly in bush and mountainous conditions.

Bruce is an ATP-commercial pilot with multi-engine, instrument, instructor and floatplane ratings. Passengers on his many environmental flight missions have included governors, senators, congressmen, scientists and students of all ages. Bruce and EcoFlight have received numerous awards and recognitions, such as the Conservation Hero Award, Best Business Award in Conservation, and Aspen Hall of Famer. Bruce lives in Colorado and is an Aspen Mountain Rescue member, serves on the Aspen Airport Advisory Committee, EcoFlight board, and has been a Buddy Program mentor, and served on the board of the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies.

Howie Mallory

Michael Solondz

“I am honored to have been selected and hope that my contributions will aid in achieving a sustainable, practical and safety oriented airfield for all of the citizens in our community.”

Mike Solondz’s vast experiences make him uniquely qualified to serve the Aspen community for this very important project. Mike spent nearly 30 years in the development business building various residential and commercial projects, mostly on the east coast. His family was involved in Lakewood Airport in Ocean County NJ, and utilized FAA funding to complete improvements to the airfield. Along with his commercial pursuits, Mike served on numerous boards, both civic and trade related, and has always taken an active role in volunteering in the communities he’s served. Mike also has an extensive background in aviation, and has flown and operated various types of aircraft from small turbine propeller driven aircraft (Beechcraft King Air) to mid-sized business jets (Falcon 100) to commercial aircraft (CRJ 700) in and out of Aspen airport. Mike’s extensive real estate experience, community oriented service and intimate working knowledge of Aspen flying gives him a unique perspective as to depth and complexity of the various attributes to be considered when planning and executing projects of this magnitude.

Barry Vaughan (Alternate)

“Working for a safe and efficient airport that integrates well with both the community’s societal values and transportation infrastructure.”

Originally from Chicago, Barry is a retired attorney who lives in El Jebel. He first came to the Roaring Fork Valley when he worked for the Colorado Outward Bound School up in Marble in the 1970s. He and his wife Sally came back to Colorado from southern California in 2017. He is an instrument rated private pilot and the chair of the airport’s FlightOps Safety Task Force. When he’s not working on airport matters, you can usually find him on one of the local ski mountains or somewhere above timberline up in the back country.

Andrew Doremus (Alternate)

“I am very excited to have the confidence of all 5 Commissioners and be back on the Airport Authority Board again”

Andrew Doremus, is a lifelong Aspen resident and a dedicated member of our community. Andrew brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the well-being of the Aspen Valley. With over 45 years of flying experience in the Aspen Valley, Andrew has not only demonstrated his expertise in aviation but also his passion for serving others. Andrew’s extensive background includes serving as President of the Aspen Valley Ski Club, Vice President of the Aspen Hall of Fame, Chief Pilot and Vice President of the Aspen Flight Academy, and membership in the Aspen Junior Hockey Board. Additionally, he has owned an Aircraft Charter Company and FBO in Rifle for 12 years. Andrew’s flying career encompasses a wide range of aircraft, from gliders to the Aspen Airways BAC 146 (4-engine jet), providing him with invaluable knowledge and insight into the aviation industry. As a new member of the AAB (Airport Advisory Board), Andrew is eager to contribute to making Aspen the safest mountain airport possible. He is committed to leveraging the newest technology while prioritizing environmental sustainability. Andrew’s dedication to the community and his extensive experience make him a valuable asset to the AAB.

Clint Kinney (EX Officio)

“High quality, efficient and effective transportation systems are paramount to protecting our outstanding community character.”

Clint Kinney is currently the Town Manager of Snowmass Village having served in this position since 2014. Previously he served as the City Manager of Fruita, CO from 2002-2014, and worked in the Durango City Manager’s office prior to that. Even with all of this time on the Western Slope, he still doesn’t own cowboy boots and has never worn a bolo tie. He concedes that his management style is more like Ron Swanson than Chris Traeger. Clint has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. Clint is fortunate enough to be married, have two outstanding daughters, and gets to enjoy his fair share of time on ski and bike trails and traveling.

Catherine Christoff (EX Officio)

“I am thankful to help represent the down valley communities that utilize the airport.”

My name is Catherine Christoff, and I am the Town Engineer for Basalt. I have been living and working as an engineer in the Roaring Fork Valley for over 15 years, including 9 years working for Pitkin County. As an ex officio member of the Airport Advisory Board, I hope to provide a down valley community perspective as the airport plans develop in a way that is focused on a healthy and safe environment.

 

Contact us

Have a Question or Comment? email airportadvisoryboard@aspenairport.com