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Saturday's Internet Edition, July 31, 2010.
RM Airport sold; improvements underway
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Photo by Sheri Barile
Bradley Beer, new owner of Rancho Murieta Airport, points out a hanger roof just recently repaired. Beer also plans to paint and install security gates and fencing.
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By Sheri Barile
River Valley Times Reporter
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The Rancho Murieta Airport was sold last month to Granite Bay businessman Bradley Beer after five years of negotiations with the estate of Fred Anderson. A pilot and co-developer of another airport in Woodland, Beer said he is making improvements to the RM Airport with the objective of keeping it open and increasing activity.
Improvements already completed include roofing repairs on some of the hangers, which Beer said are now water tight. In addition, he is currently reviewing bids for fencing and keypad gates to improve security and said he expects installation to begin this month. The new owner also plans to paint the hangers. "They are dreadfully faded from years under the hot sun," Beer said.
While he is aware that there is a waiting list for tenants, Beer said he has no plans to build additional hangers. “A big hanger costs $75,000 to $80,000 to build,” he said. “I can’t charge enough rent to offset that kind of investment.”
Beer said rent has been flat for many years, and he has increased it to complete the improvements he has planned. But he said he won’t profit from the increase. “Even with the rent increase, the airport is not making money,” Beer said. “It’s not a homerun as far as acquisitions are concerned, but owning an airport is great. This is my passion now.”
Aviation has been Beer’s passion since he was a young boy. “My dad had me in a cockpit flying when I was around seven years old,” he said. “I got my pilot’s license in my teens, and I now pilot helicopters too.” Beer currently owns a Beechcraft King Air, which is used for charter flights. He said he plans to purchase a plane for his private use in RM.
As a pilot, Beer expressed concern about the closing of several small, privately owned airports in recent years. He cited airports in Fair Oaks and Natomas as recent casualties of urban development and said that the closing of Sky Ranch Airport in Elk Grove is on the horizon. “They aren’t opening new airports these days,” Beer said. “They’re only shutting them down. I want to keep this an active airport. That was Fred Anderson's passion, and it was important to the family estate.”
To address this concern, Beer negotiated the sale to include an additional 35 acres of land on the northwest side of the airport from a separate Anderson family trust. “I wanted that land as a buffer to prevent encroachment from future development,” he said. “I think a little elbow room will go a long way in keeping the airport open, and now is the time to do it.”
The new owner said he was attracted to RM Airport years ago when he flew in while learning to fly helicopters. He also recalled coming in for the RM Country Club Sr. Gold Rush tournaments. “The pros flew their jets in, and it was fun to just go over there and look at those nice jets all stacked up,” Beer said. “I remember thinking that there are not very many places out there where you have an airport right next to two championship golf courses.”
Beer describes RM as both unique and synergistic, and as a businessman, he already sees a marketing plan. “I have joined the country club, and I have already talked to them about cross-promoting the airport and the country club,” he said. “I envision people flying in to play golf for the day. It’s a great business opportunity for both entities.”
Beer said he is strongly considering moving his offices to RM Airport. He looks forward to spending time in Rancho Murieta and becoming part of the community and is already paying visits nearly every day. “I enjoy the environment out here,” he said. “The people are friendly, and it’s a beautiful area. I feel great about preserving some history with the airport. This is a lot of fun.”
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