HOT SPRINGS -- A wholesale removal of trees exceeding Federal Aviation Administration height limits is planned along Airport Road, the city said.
The trees border the southern edge of the city's Family Park, putting them in the path of the southeasterly heading to Hot Springs Memorial Field airport. They reach into Runway 13's approach surface, airspace extending outward and upward from the end of the runway at a 20-to-1 slope ratio. The city said they will be replaced with smaller fruit trees or fruit producing bushes.
Airport Director Glen Barentine said trees have been removed or trimmed individually in the past, but the city decided to clear the entire line forming Family Park's southern boundary.
"Instead of coming back and doing one or two at a time, we decided to go in another direction," he said. "We'll plant vegetation back that is never going to penetrate that surface. We're always having to monitor and cut trees when needed."
A stand of cedar trees on a rise north of the tree line will also be removed, as it too is in the approach path. The city said it's working with the owner of an adjacent property to clear additional trees.
Runway 13 is the shortest of the airport's four runways and the only one with an obstructed approach. FAA regulations limit obstructions to 1 foot in height for every 20 feet from the end of a runway. The ratio is more stringent for precision instrument approach runways, with obstructions limited to 1 foot in height for every 50 feet from the end of the runway.
Runway 5 is the only such runway at the airport. It's on a northeasterly heading and requires pilots to approach from over Lake Hamilton. Barentine said the natural drop in elevation from the end of the runway to the lake provides an unimpeded path.
The city said Allen Bates, its urban forester, will advise the airport on replacing the trees.
Metro on 04/19/2019