Suggestions for improving airport community relations brought up in a National Air Transportation Association convention discussion by attendees and speaker Peter Burgher:
- Hold an open house – emphasize the direct/indirect benefits of the airport
- Attend commission meetings with supporters; the opposition may tend to exaggerate
- Don’t do it alone; get the airport support group to attend commission meetings and be prepared with economic, noise, and other facts
- Don’t stop fighting for the airport, even when it appears the battle has been won • Start campaigning for support well before there is talk of closing the airport
- Try to positively influence big opponents via free lessons, airplane rides, etc.
- Hold a reporter/media day; give everyone a ride and an air tour of the area; hand out Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association’s (AOPA) Glossary of Terms for Reporters
- Hold a grade school kids day
- Find the people the public will listen to and gain their support
- Holda Teachers’ Day; hand out curriculum on lift/drag, etc.; host a paper airplane contest
- Talk to or join the community or county economic development board
- Get to know the Chamber of Commerce
- Refer to curfews as “voluntary quiet hours”; when they are not followed, explain why to the public
- Look to cargo operators for support
Source: Airport Business, 2001
