Engineer Dan Clinton of Grimes Engineering told commissioners last week he recommended pursuing a grant from Arkansas Department of Aeronautics for extending the taxiway on the south part of the airport property. There is one existing 60×60-foot hangar that could use the taxiway as soon as completed, but Clinton estimated CCA could put five more 60×60-foot hangars in that area. One person had already expressed an interest in building a hangar there.
Clinton said the grant application would be reviewed in November, and there would be plenty of competition for funding. He pointed out CCA would need to provide a match of $12,657.
Commissioner Sandy Martin suggested since they have the funds now, they should earmark that amount in the budget and proceed. She admitted a large unknown is what the Quorum County will allocate for CCA in its budget next year, but they must plan for the future.
Commissioner Dane Mulligan asserted that CCA needs to make use of that portion of the property, so he agreed they should use reserves for the taxiway expansion.
Vote was unanimous to authorize Clinton to pursue the grant.
Hangar hangup
At the August meeting, commissioners approved an offer from a prospective tenant who wanted to refurbish the existing 60×60-foot hangar. CCA manager Michael Pfeifer has since learned what the commission approved was not what the tenant offered. Pfeifer said the tenant had offered only to pay for the hangar repairs.
Pfeifer also mentioned the tenant had not replied to what commissioners had approved, so the commission does not know his response.
“We need more information,” Martin commented. “We need to compare what we approved with his letter.” She also noticed that since they have not heard from him regarding what the commission approved, no one knows if there is even a problem.
Commissioner Morris Pate suggested they invite the individual to the November meeting to sort things out.
Pfeifer also mentioned the tenant wanted Tresler to bid for the refurbishing job in the hangar, and asked if it would be a conflict of interest if Tresler were awarded the contract.
Martin said it probably was, but she did not have a problem with it. Mulligan agreed. Tresler said the payments would go to his company Freedom Pipe and Construction.
Commissioner Jason Tennant moved to accept Tresler’s bid to do the work on the hangar, and the motion was approved.
Use airport without going anywhere
Chair Chase Tresler wanted the public to know the airport is available for groups looking for meeting space. He stated at the Oct. 21 meeting the facility has a kitchen and space for eating, a meeting room, and is only a short distance west of Berryville.
Tresler also repeated that there is flight instruction at the airport. According to airport manager Michael Pfeifer, the instructor is a retired combat F-18 Eagle and F-16 Falcon jet pilot and USAF instructor. His courses include private pilot, which is the basic driver’s license for flying an airplane, up to Airline Transport Pilot, which is the rating needed for the biggest commercial jets. Most students at CCA are at the private pilot or instrument rating level.
Anyone interested in meeting space or learning to fly should call CCA at 870 (423-2120) or Tresler at (870) 423-7854.
Wish list
Pfeifer submitted a list of items and projects he wants commissioners to consider in planning the 2017 budget. The list included upgrading the fuel system wiring, a universal aircraft towbar, and furniture for the lobby.
One item that caught Pate’s attention was a portable flight simulator. Pate had wanted a larger version in the 2015 budget, but funds were not available. Pfeifer described this version as “a separate computer station wired into store bought, mock up flight controllers: the yoke, rudder pedals and throttle controls. The keyboard will be used for other aircraft related functions. It will use Microsoft Flight Sim software that will tie it all together. A simulated view outside the cockpit will be projected on screen, and 5.0 surround sound makes it realistic. The software is accurate in flying several types of aircraft with real world flying characteristics, with a cost less than $3000.
Tennant stated they should keep it in the budget since there are flight students coming to CCA and they could use it.
Other items
- Commissioners acknowledged they must have their 2017 budget ready for submission to the Quorum Court no later than the Nov. 18 meeting.
- They agreed to authorize Pfeifer to spend up to $800 on an awning to protect the fuel system equipment.
- Pate suggested they need to start fundraising again. One idea he had was a movie night at CCA in which they could make money off concessions.
Next meeting will be Friday, Nov. 18, at 12 p.m., at CCA in Berryville.