Mike Harma

Manager air:port~Pgogcbic.org E5560Airport Road [ronwood, Michigan 49938 

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# _=-==- COUNTY A.IRPORT Mindy Prcndcrville Confidential Secretary iwd@flvfromironwood.com Phone: (906) 932-3121 Fax: (906) 932-4401

Mr. Kevin Schlemmer Chief, Essential Air Service Division, X-53 Office of Aviation Analysis U.S. Department ofTransportation 400 7th SI. SW Washington, D.C. 20050
February )4,2014

Dear Mr. ScWemmer; 

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On February 13, 2014, the Gogebic-Iron County Airport Board held a public hearing. Community members asked questions and expressed their concerns ahout the airline 'proposals. Immediately after the public hearing, a Special Airport Board meeting was held and the Airport Board unanimously vo.ted in favor ofrecommending Air Choice One as the carrier to provide airline service atthe Gogebic-Iron County Airport. The board strongly feels Air Choice One, proposal "Option 2" with a two year service period, is the best current choice for our community. We would request DOT's assistance in expediting the consideration and award of this bid. In earlier conversations, we were told that because we were without service that itcould be possible to complete the necessary process and have our new carrier up and running by May 1st. Ihave spoken with Air Choice One and they believe they could meet this starting service date ifapproved by DOT.

Gogebic-lron County Airport Board

. JimOliver,Chairman. JoeBonovetz • LeRoyKangas. PaulMullan! • GeorgeNasiFinally, wewould like to make arecord ofwhy we are waiving our standard service ofdual pilots with atwin-engine aircraft. Ifthere is a DOT policy, custom, rule orregulation that by this selection we are automatically waiving ourright inthe future to request twin engine, dual pilot service, we would likethe following factors to betaken into consideration before it is applied: I. We arepresently without airline service, due to Great Lakes unilaterally terminating service to our commlmity on February 1st,2014, with but a one week notice, contrary to the contract awarded to itbyDOT and contrary to DOT regulations requiring a 180day notice oftermination of service. 2. DOT advised us that we should expend our efforts inlooking for a replacement carrier, stating Great Lakes Airlines has apilot shortage and they can't fulfil the contract. 3. Great Lakes has not been areliable carrier. 4. That only two bidders have bid, but Great Lakes Airline's bid is conditioned upon removing seats from theirpresent aircraft to fly as a chapter 135 air carrier, which certification they donot have. 5. The only other bidder is Air Choice One, which flies smaller aircraft and is a certified chapter 135 aircarrier. Air Choice One flies single engine turboprops and has an outstanding reliability reputation and has bid a schedule that includes early morning flights. We will do ourbestto work with this carrier and hope that the change inthe size ofthe aircraft and the service hub do not have a substantial negative impact on boardings. Respectfully submitted,

Michael Harma-lWD Airport Manager