The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1954-03-18
WILDE GIVES DATA
(Continued from Page One)

the postwar lull on 194e.
A chart attached to the report
shows that National Airlines drop
ped from about 1880 passengers
in 1947 to 5000 plus in 1s4S. From
that year, the chart shows a gra-
dual increase to about 1900 pas
sengers in 1858.
The same chart shows Aerovias
O carrying $500 passengers in
1947 with a steady increase to 81
500 in 1852. Then there was sharp
jump TO $4,000 passengers in 1858.
Comparison Given
Another chart compares the num-
Der OF enplaned passengers per
plane departures at Key West with
other Florida towns. The COMPARE
son is also based on the popula-
tons of Key West and the other
towns.
This chart shows Key West with
71a enplaned passengers per de-
parture and population (1950 GEN.
Sus) of more than $4,000.
In enplaned passengers per de-
parture, the nearest is Tallahassee
with almost 3 passengers per de.
parture. The chart also shows Tai
iahassee with a population of over
5000.
Daytona Beach, with a popula-
ton Of more than 10000 has about
2A passengers per departure.
The largest city shown on the
chart is Pensacola with a popula-
ton of more than 10000. 1t has
about 2 and "a passengers per de-
parture.
The town with the smallest num-
Der of passengers per departure
shown ON the chart is Lakeland
with less than one passenger per
departure. Lakeland's population is
shown at better than 10000.
Growth Reflected
'The growth of Key West and
Monroe County as reflected in the
census figures" the report con.
tinues, would normally reflect a
proportonate increase in anticipat,
ed air traffic more or less follow.
ing the population curve, however.
the remoteness of the Keys from
the mainland and the lack of rail
facilities, combined with the sports
potential Of the area should result
in a greater increase in air traffic
than would normally be expected. /"
The report then goes on to say
that biased on an estimate of a
doubling OF the county population
by 1865, it is anticipated that air.
craft movements at Meacham Air
port will approximate an average
OF 5000 per MONTH"
The report further says that is is
not anticipated that an additional
airport or a changed airport loca-
ton will be necessary here in the
immediate future.
"More adequate facilities are re-
quired on the present SITE" the
report adds, ''but these improve
ments are presently being planned
under the progressive policy of the
Monroe County Board of County
Commissioners"
Airspaes Problem
Taking up the problem of air.
space, the report says:
"The county's most serious air
space problem is the separation OF
air traffic using MAS Seaplane
Base, Meacham Airport and Boca
Chica Airport.
"There is comparatively small
volume OF traffic using the Sea-
plane Base and it is not considered
that this traffic materially COM
plicates the airspace problem in
the area.
1.-THE major problem is the deve-
lopment of a means whereby SAT-
er separation of traffic using Mea.
cham Airport and Boca Chica Air
port can be arrived at"
Naval aircraft making range
approach to Boca Chica Airport,
the report continues, pass directly
over Meacham Airport.
''In actual operation" the report
says, "the altitude at which they
naval aircraft) cross Meacham
Airport is such that quite often
they are at the same altitude as
aircraft in the pattern or landing
or taking off from Meacham Air
port.
"Since Meacham has no control
tower, there is no direct tower
control Of aircraft landing or tax.
ing off at Meacham Airport.
1.-THE only control is through the
Key West Communication Station,
"This condition constitutes a pro.
blem which, if satisfactorily re.
solved, would materially increase
airspace safety in the Key West
area"
Recommendation
In the recommendations and con.
clusionS, the report says:
There is no serious airport pro.
blem in Monroe County.
THE existing airportS presently
located on the Keys portion of the
county should suffice to take care