Interagency Aviation Information Bulletin 11-03 Opening of La Grande Airtanker Base (LGATB)

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Overview

The Interagency Aviation Information Bulletin 11-03 Opening of La Grande Airtanker Base (LGATB) () is a public-domain DOI Office of Aviation Services aviation safety document, republished here as a free chaptered HTML edition with a linked table of contents and the official PDF.

Publisher: DOI Office of Aviation Services
Document
Pages: 1

Key points

The La Grande Airtanker Base (LGATB) is now open to all airtanker operations until mid September 2011.
LGATB was previously closed to airtanker operations as of April 14, 2011, due to safety concerns.
Temporary repairs to the apron areas were completed by Union County in late July 2011 to allow operations during the fire season.
The repairs were validated by the county’s Consulting Engineer as adequate for operations for the remainder of the season.
Daily inspections of the apron are recommended to ensure continued serviceability.

Frequently asked questions

Why was the La Grande Airtanker Base closed?

LGATB was officially closed to all airtanker operations due to safety concerns as stated in the Regional Forester Letter dated April 14, 2011.

What repairs were made to the LGATB?

Temporary asphalt pavement repairs were completed by Union County to the apron areas to permit operations during the 2011 fire season.

Who validated the repairs made to the LGATB?

The county’s Consulting Engineer for aviation operations validated that the repairs were adequate for operations.

What is recommended for the apron at LGATB after repairs?

Daily inspections are recommended to ensure the apron’s continued serviceability.

When will permanent rehabilitation repairs begin at LGATB?

Permanent rehabilitation repairs at LGATB are scheduled to begin in mid September 2011.

Document

Interagency Aviation

Information Bulletin

No. IA 2011-03 September 1, 2011 Page 1 of 1 Subject: Opening of La Grande Airtanker Base (LGATB) Area of Concern: All Aviation Users Distribution: All Aviation Users The La Grande Airtanker Base (LGATB) is now open to all airtanker operations until permanent rehabilita- tion repairs begin in mid September 2011. The Regional Forester, with concurrence of the geotechnical staff, has issued a letter reopening the LGATB.

Based on the recommendation of forest and regional aviation staff, LGATB was officially closed to all air- tanker operations by Regional Forester Letter (5700) dated April 14, 2011. In June 2011, Union County pro- posed temporary repairs to the apron areas that would permit operations during the 2011 fire season. The RO engineering staff agreed in principle that temporary repairs would enable the area to withstand operations for a single season without impacting the proposed (permanent) rehabilitation contract.

Union County completed the temporary asphalt pavement repairs to the LGATB apron in late July 2011. The county’s Consulting Engineer for aviation operations validated that the repairs were adequate to allow opera- tions for the remainder of the season. The Engineer also recommended daily inspections in order to ensure the apron’s continued serviceability.