Beaver Island Airport

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Beaver Island Airport Takes Action to Address Safety and Funding Challenges

Beaver Island, MI April 12, 2024
In response to ongoing safety and funding challenges, Beaver Island Airport (SJX) is proactively
addressing tree penetration issues in its runway approach areas. The airport, like many others in
Michigan, faces the common problem of normal tree growth encroaching upon the 20:1
approach surface required for runway safety. For clarification, the 20:1 approach criterion
begins 200-feet off the end of the paved runway and at the physical end of the runway for the
turf runways. For every 20 feet moving away from the runway, the allowable surface goes up 1-
foot in height. This extends for several thousand feet away from each runway end. As you move
farther way from the runway end, the allowable heights of structures/vegetation in that area
increases. If a structure or tree penetrates this surface, then it is considered an obstruction.

To meet this standard, some airports often consider shortening or closing runways,
compromising safety and usability for various aircraft operators, but that is not a feasible long -
term solution and something we’re aiming to avoid. Recently, we successfully resolved the tree
issues at both ends of Runways 9 and 27, but the ongoing growth poses a continuous challenge
and the airport's overall operational flexibility is impacted by prevailing wind conditions, which
do not always favor the use of Runways 9 or 27. Additionally, future plans to repave runways 9
and 27, which are necessary for infrastructure maintenance, also presents a temporary closure
challenge so we need all runways to be safe and operational. Further, Beaver Island Airport is
currently operating under a provisional license, from the State of Michigan Office of Aeronautics
(AERO), which limits our access to future government funding until these safety concerns are
addressed. The airport's acceptance of federal funding from the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) and MDOT AERO further obliges it to provide appropriate approach clearances.

Conservation is a priority for the Beaver Island Airport, and to ensure we only remove trees that
are in violation of safety regulations, AERO, has adopted innovative drone technology with
LIDAR scanning that can pinpoint individual trees causing obstructions. This detailed
information is crucial for the airport’s licensing reviews and to demonstrate adherence to
regulatory standards.

Beaver Island Airport is also subject to the Airport Approach Plan (AAP) under the Aeronautic
Code of the State of Michigan, requiring property owners within approach plan zones to
maintain clear approaches at their expense. The airport committee, recognizing the
responsibility shared with private landowners, is actively seeking collaborative solutions. A
recent successful collaboration involved landowners Al Hunting and Roger Lear, who granted the
airport permission to remove trees impacting the approach to runway 23 (Southwest). Our
community and neighbors are important, and to address safety concerns and optimize tree
removal, the Beaver Island Airport Committee (BIAC) is exploring the use of an excavator for
safe and efficient operations. Plans include working with adjoining property owners as well as
offering incentives to defray some costs for those assisting in tree removal. To keep the
community informed and engaged, BIAC will hold future meetings where detailed survey maps
showing areas of concern will be presented.

The Airport Commission understands the importance of ongoing dialogue with property owners
to ensure a comprehensive and cooperative approach to address these challenges, and the
Beaver Island Airport remains committed to maintaining a top-notch, safe and accessible
aviation facility. Our collaboration with you, our community, is key to overcoming these
challenges. The airport is required to support island emergencies and commerce on a year-
round basis.

Beaver Island Airport Commission