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Chapter 2
AIRPORT ROLE AND KEY ISSUES
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Reading Regional Airport has, for many years, served the aviation needs (airline passengers, cargo, and general aviation) for Reading area. The community has grown up around the Airport and has counted on the services it provides as a basis for personal and business air travel and freight shipments. This study addresses the long-range development of the Airport in order that the community needs can continue to be satisfied in the best possible way. Meeting the future needs of the region will involve development and in some cases expansion of the Airport. The planned development program was guided by a role statement for the Airport and acknowledgement of key issues relating to the community and the aviation users. 2.1 AIRPORT ROLE

Reading Regional Airport fulfills several roles, some relate to the local, state, and federal air transportation system and others relate to the communities within region. 1. The Airport must continue to fulfill its role as a Primary Commercial Service airport with service to markets under 1,500 miles, as designated in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). 2. The Airport serves the air transportation needs of the geographic region around Reading with commercial passenger and cargo service, business aviation facilities, and services and facilities for the privately owned aircraft. 3. The Airport fulfills a role as a transportation hub and economic center for the Reading region.

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2-2 2.2 MASTER PLAN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The Master Plan adopted the following goals and objectives to assure that the Airport will continue to fulfill its role in the national, state, and regional transportation systems. The Master Plan must: Produce a feasible plan for the Airport to accommodate future commercial and general aviation needs in a safe, efficient, and environmentally sound manner. Assure that the public trust and private investment in the Airport is protected and enhanced. Maximize compatibility between the Airport and its environs, addressing both the human and natural environmental sensitivities. Assure that advantages of new technology are available to the users of the Airport and enhance the services provided them. Prioritize the allocation of all available resources including financial, land uses, and existing facilities. Identify opportunities to stimulate economic development within the region.

2.3

KEY ISSUES

There were numerous issues that this plan addressed in the course of research, analysis, and plan development. The following is a brief list of the key issued identified for the Master Plan: PUBLIC ISSUES Aircraft Noise (Take-off, Landing, Engine Maintenance Runup) Environmental Impacts Vehicle Traffic on Local Roads Land Use Impacts Airline Service

USER ISSUES

Airport Operations Area Configuration Meeting FAA Criteria Instrument Approaches Capacity (airside and landside) Runway Length Financial Viability

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