QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
The primary reason to develop this airport is to provide a service for the citizens who live and work in metro Atlanta. Below you will find a series of frequently asked questions and answers which will give further insight about the partnership for progress that we are proposing:
from the privatization of the airport?
with community values?
What is Privatization?
Under a ruling passed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) State and local municipalities may sponsor a private entity to the Federal government to privatize an airport which will create value for the community.What is Propeller Investments?
Propeller Investments is a private equity firm focused on opportunities in the Aerospace & Transportation sectors. Propeller is headquartered in New York with offices in Dublin and Atlanta. Propeller has two main objectives:
Acquire Airports
acquire assets that are currently under performing and turn them into businesses that contribute to the local economy. The investment strategy
involves privatizing the airports, improving its facilities both landside and airside as well as developing commercial and general aviation in-line with
community goals.
Strategic Investments
deep understanding of success factors. Investments are closely monitored with active management participation.
For further information on Propeller please visit: www.propellerinvestments.com
What does Propeller know about airport development and Airline operations?
The management team has a track record of over 30 years of experience in major airline management, private aviation operations and airport development. Propeller has a well thought out strategic vision and the management expertise to achieve its plan.What is Propeller asking the County and the community to do?
We are asking the County and the community to consider entering a partnership with Propeller to revitalize the airport which currently serves less than 1% of the County population and make it accessible to the entire community. In addition, we are offering a way for the County to turn an asset which is breakeven at best into a source of income that has the potential to offset future tax increases and provide funding for other community services.How is the airport used today?
Today the airport is operated strictly as a General Aviation airport supporting people who fly privately. There are approximately 433 light and business aircraft based at the field supported by two fixed based operators supplying fuel and maintenance services. In addition, there are other businesses including a flight school, an aircraft technician school a restaurant and other ancillary enterprises.Will General Aviation be affected by airport privatization?
No. In fact, General Aviation will be encouraged and enhanced. In addition, Propeller would honor all current leases and contracts. Many of Propeller's management are G/A pilots ourselves; with extensive business aviation experience.Why should the County enter into a Public / Private Partnership with Propeller and why is this a good idea?
Today, the airport is not able to generate meaningful revenue for the County and its citizens in part because of FAA guidelines pertaining to the airports funding. However, under the FAA's Privatization Program the airport is able to be run and developed utilizing private sector principles; as a business that must achieve results to succeed. As a government operated entity the airport has little incentive to be profitable especially since the profits are not able to be used for anything other than airport related purposes.the current economic downturn it is possible that the airport will lose money over the next five years. With privatization, the County would receive a steady stream of income that can be used for things such as police, fire, education and infrastructure.
Currently, if the airport generates income why can't the County use the profits earned for other County expenses?
Federal laws stipulates that a government that owns an airport, and has been taking Federal funds, as Gwinnett County has done for decades, may not remove any of the profits from the operation of the airport for use in any other way. In other words, if the airport were to make a profit, that money may only be spent on the airport for additional development. The funds may not, for example be used to pay for local schools, fire or police expenses.If the County entered into a public / private partnership with Propeller how can the County use the funds that are generated?
If the airport is privatized, the funds generated from the airport that the County receives may be used in any way Gwinnett County sees fit.What continuing revenue stream from the airport can be expected?
The County will receive an ongoing flow of revenue following privatization from a number of possible sources including property taxes, revenue sharing, sales taxes, lease payments or sale proceeds.With more than 38,000 people in the County that are currently unemployed, what jobs and economic impact will be created for the community from the privatization of the airport?
ECONOMIC IMPACT: It is estimated that once the airport is complete and operational it will account for approximately $1.25 billion in annual economic impact.JOBS: The redevelopment will generate new jobs immediately through construction and other services. Over the course of the next 10 years Propeller estimates that a total of 20,000 (direct and indirect) jobs will be generated in the immediate area as a result of the Briscoe Field airport revitalization.
ENTREPRENURIAL OPPORTUNITIES: The economic impact to the local area and specifically to Gwinnett County is considerable, and will benefit a number of businesses in the community like:
Who benefits from privatization and development of the airport?
You do. With the redevelopment of the airport into a small commercially served facility, you and your family, coworkers and neighbors will save hours per day when traveling by air. The time you spend parking, walking through the airport to security and to your gate, time to taxi the aircraft out for departure, and less aircraft congestion once departed and again upon arrival will result in literally hours saved with each flight made. Multiply that by the number of times you and those you know travel by air from Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, at least an hours' drive each way, under normal traffic conditions and you can see how much added convenience this will be.Why isn't the County doing the airport redevelopment themselves? - It is our community airport after all.
The cost of development is estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars and the County is already struggling to meet current budget commitments in an environment where tax revenues are declining and tax rates are increasing. Further, there is no way for Gwinnett County to receive a return on their investment in real dollars because of current Federal law.What will this redevelopment bring to the community?
Who will pay for the development of the local infrastructure?
Many of the major access points to the airport are State and Federal roads; the development of these roads will be paid for largely through Federal and State funding.What will Gwinnett County use the money from the privatization of the airport for?
This is up to the County to decide, but in most cases the funds generated by a privatization go toward other projects and services that the County is responsible for which include schools, fire, safety, emergency medical, police etc. Or the County could lower taxes.Does Propeller Investments have sufficient capital committed to the airport to see it through to success?
Yes, Propeller is backed by and has access to investment capital exceeding four billion dollars.Will Gwinnett County have to pay for the redevelopment of the airport under privatization?
No, the County will not have to pay even one penny for airport redevelopment costs.When the redevelopment of the airport is complete, how will it change?
The community will have access to direct air service to other major U.S. cities without having to drive to Hartsfield-Jackson.employment and support for local businesses and the community.
Will there be more aircraft utilizing the airport?
Yes, there will be approximately 4 additional flights per hour (during the normal business day).Will there be more noise from the operation of commercial aircraft at the airport?
Although it is unclear at this time what aircraft will utilize the airport, it should be noted that today's airliner aircraft are quieter than many of the General Aviation business aircraft that currently use and have used the airport for the last 30 years
| Current Aircraft Utilizing Briscoe: | Anticipated Aircraft: | ||
| Airplane | dBA | Airplane | dBA |
| Gulfstream II | 84.2 | MD 90 | 73.0 |
| Learjet 24D | 80.6 | Boeing 737-700 | 65.8 |
| Global Express | 74.6 | Airbus A-319 | 65.7 |
| Cessna 206 | 70.2 | Boeing 717 | 64.7 |
Will there be large aircraft like the Boeing 747 using the airport?
No, the airport is not designed for large airliners like the 747, 767 or 777 as well as large older aircraft such as the DC-8, B-707 or L-1011. The runways and taxiways are not and will not be designed for those types of aircraft.Are other airports privately operated and are they successful?
Yes, all over the world there are successful examples of privately operated and or owned airports which include:Have you asked the local Community what they think of this idea?
Yes, local polling confirms overwhelming support. In fact since Propeller believes that a partnership must work for all parties a poll was commissioned earlier this year which showed the following sentiment for the development of the airport:When would commercial service begin at Briscoe if the County privatizes the airport?
The community can expect to benefit from airline service within three to four years.Would Propeller try and source local vendors?
Yes. Since this would be a partnership with the community Propeller would be committed to seeking out companies that could provide what is needed. For example, the community has top quality engineers, architects and other providers. We want this to be beneficial to everyone.What steps will Propeller take to make sure that the redevelopment of the airport will be environmentally conscious and operated inline with community values?
to improve communication and ensure consensus.
Propeller understands that the community may have further questions that they would like answered. We encourage you to click on the link below and submit any questions or comments you may have. We will answer them as quickly as possible. Thanks for your time and interest in this endeavor.
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1532 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody, Georgia 30338
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