CAA: GA News, "Fate of small New Hampshire airport in dispute"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Monday, August 26, 2002

Fate of small airport in dispute 
The Associated Press


WOLFEBORO, N.H. (AP) New Hampshire and Wolfeboro Airport Authority
officials are locked in a battle with the airport's owner over the
future of the airport. 

The state and airport officials want to keep the 50-year-old airport's
owner, Donald Satterfield, from developing the land. 

Satterfield wants to subdivide his 102 acres at the end of Wolfeboro
Neck for homes. He says he's baffled that officials think the airport
ever would be financially viable. 

''This thing is a sink hole,'' says Satterfield. 

He says he'll fight ''every step of the way'' to keep his property. 

Attorney John Kallad, a member of the recently formed Wolfeboro Airport
Authority, says the plan is to develop the airport so it qualifies for
federal funding. He says the group hopes to meet with Satterfield soon
and discuss the airport's future. 

State Transportation Commissioner Carol Murray says small airports are a
critical part of the state's transportation system. 

''The aviation community in New Hampshire is growing and if we lose
Wolfeboro or any other (airport), we've lost an opportunity for the
future,'' she says. 

With the phenomenal growth of Manchester airport, the state can't ignore
the small facilities, she says. With jet service growing in Manchester,
the small planes may need the smaller airports as a base of operation,
she says. 

Manchester Airport director Kevin Dillon says there always will be a
place for general aviation at Manchester Airport, but he agrees with
Murray that small airports are important. 

''She's right: Once you lose an aviation facility, you're not going to
get it back, so I would certainly support the position that Wolfeboro
Airport needs to remain a viable entity,'' he says. 

Murray acknowledges taking the property through eminent domain is an
option, but Kallad insists it isn't the first approach. 

''We hope we can find a solution that is mutually satisfactory to all
parties,'' he says. 

Satterfield bought the property with the stipulation he would keep the
airport open until 2005. 

He has already won one court battle over the site's future. 

In 1999, Satterfield worked out an arrangement to subdivide the
property. The developers offered the state 54 acres encompassing the
airstrip and a relocated seaplane base on Lake Winnipesaukee for $2
million, but state aeronautics officials said the boundaries failed to
meet federal safety standards. 

In siding with Satterfield, the court eventually ruled that the state
failed to act on its right of first refusal in time. 

''This is a real difficult dilemma,'' Satterfield says. ''I'm trying to
do the right thing, but the state wants to hand my land to the airport
authority.''


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