Tom Williams, KMFR tower chief, asked me to share his frustrations with you:

• They've had an epidemic of aircraft being cleared for take-off and, instead of rolling, they stop on the runway and ask which downwind or direction of flight the tower wants them to use. If in doubt, they should take off (clearing up the runway) and then ask on upwind leg.
• Another item is when "cleared for take-off, no delay", either expedite or hold short and say "unable". Some aircraft seem to mosey onto the runway, line up, and then roll.
• Aircraft are still calling "Ready for take-off" while still in the run-up area. You're not ready until you are at the hold short line.
• Lastly, after landing, completely exit the runway (fully across the hold line) before stopping.

All of these actions can result in causing a go-around or having to extend the pattern with a following aircraft.

I'm sure the above problems don't apply to you, my faithful reader, but try to spread the word to those pilots who look like they'd do stuff like this.

Our tower folks want to deliver the best service possible, but they need help from our end also.

R what???
RSAT stands for Runway Safety Action Team.
Sounds serious - and it is. A bunch of FAA-types were all over KMFR for the last day and 1/2 to check out the place.

I was fortunate to visit with two of them, and also fortunate to be one of about six local area pilots to participate in the "out-briefing" today.

This warrants a mention on the blog because you need to know that it looks like Airport Operations and the Tower got a very favorable rating. IMHO, they've earned it.
OK, there is always room to improve - but as an old AF inspector, I was impressed with the depth and the professionalism of the team (About 8 or 9 of them).

You can expect to see a few changes in communications and ground ops signs in the next year, but nothing we'll have a problem with. It's all safety-related.

I was surprised by one graphic that showed GA was responsible for 76% of runway incursions!

One item that was new to me was the "hotspot" that is depicted in the Airport/Facility Directory and also shown in Jeppesen airport layout pages. It's depicted as an oval somewhere on the airport surface. Basically, it's a spot that pilots find confusing (weird intersections, taxiways and the like). Don't know if the Flight Guide will pick this up. You can impress your friends with your expanded pilot jargon.

The written report will be available at the FBOs, the tower and the Airport Director's office in a few weeks.

Looks like some pilots are acknowledging the "Hold Short" transmission from the tower by repeating it back, but forgetting to include their tail number. So, you can see that this could cause some confusion if more than one airplane has called ready for departure on the same or another runway.

Best guidance: Parrot back those directives from the tower, please.