[KBAF] Barnes Airport News

Tuesday's and Wednesday's:  0830a - 430p   and 500p - 800p

Thursday's and Friday's: 0830a -430p

Mayor Dan Knapik and the City Council appointed Mr Joseph Mitchell to the Westfield Barnes Airport Commission last night.  Mr. Mitchell will replace the Late Mr. Stan Derezinski who faithfully served the airport in that position for the past 10 years.

On Monday, February 15th, The Mass Air National Guard began its 24/7 Air Defense Alert Mission here at Barnes. What that means to pilots is, during practice or real world scrambles, all acitivity on the runways and taxiways will be monitored and at some point you may have to hold and wait until the scramble is over. Approximately 5 minute wait in most cases. Our biggest concern is at nights while the tower isn't operational. Pilots are urged to use IFR procedures to the max extent possible while arriving here at BAF to get the latest up to date info from Bradley approach control in the rare instance a scramble occurs. For VFR aircraft, realize that the F-15's will be taking off RWY 20 most of the time, but may utilize Rwy 02. All aircraft that can utilize Rwy 15/33 safely are encouraged to do so between the hours of 10:00PM and 0700 A.M.

If you have any questions regarding the alert mission or procedures here at Barnes, please call the managers office at (413) 572-6294.

The Westfield International Airshow will be back in full swing on the weekend of August 21st & 22nd, 2010.  The Airshow hosts some of the most exciting aerial acts around the world to include the Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, Snowbirds, The Golden Knights and dozens of other world class civilian aerobatic shows.  You can see all the plans and latest news by going to the official link.

www.westfieldairshow.net