Carroll County Airport may have more good news about growth. A committee from the airport commission has been working with someone planning to build a hangar as large as 100 ft. square. A ground lease would provide additional revenue for the airport, and the hangar owner would bring business to the airport. Members of the committee have been negotiating over terms and expect to have a proposal in place before the March meeting.
At the Feb. 21 meeting, commissioners heard another proposal for hangar construction. An Oklahoma resident contacted the airport with plans to fully complete his relocation by the end of the year. He hopes to build a hangar at least 75 ft. square and may offer flight instruction. The commission will consider possible locations.
Commissioner Morris Pate has raised cash and pledges totaling $2,500 toward the $10,000 it would take to purchase a flight simulator for the airport. He described a package from Redbird, which he said sells more simulators than any manufacturer in the world. The simulator would replace as much as two-and-a-half hours of flight time toward a pilot’s license. Those working toward instrument certification could count as many as 10 hours in the simulator.
The commission has made flight instruction a priority and will investigate to see who might use a simulator as it could become a revenue source. Students wishing to use a simulator currently would have to travel to Springdale.
Insurance on loaners a liability
The county asked the airport not to allow anyone to use loaner vehicles after questions arose regarding insurance liability. Commissioner Dave Teigen said those who use the vehicles would typically have them automatically covered under their own insurance for liability. If someone only had liability on their vehicle, however, they might have to make an arrangement to protect the airport and the county.
Teigen said he will continue investigating the insurance questions and check with other airports, most of which are owned by counties or cities. Because of the slow season, commissioners have not made the insurance a priority issue, and the loaner vehicles have remained grounded.
Wrapping it up
- Beginning in March, Airport Manager Michael Pfeifer will reduce his hours and focus on administrative tasks. Commissioners have looked at subcontracting the mowing, which Pfeifer has done in conjunction with the administrative duties. The commission received bids they considered too high and will try to locate someone to work directly for the airport at an estimated $14 per hour. The airport would provide the equipment, and the employee would have considerable leeway in setting hours.
- The Blue Knights, a motorcycle group for law enforcement in Carroll and surrounding counties, will hold a fundraiser at the airport on Saturday, May 9. The events will include a visit from the GEICO NASCAR vehicle, which will only be available that weekend. The fly-in scheduled for the following weekend will move to the same date.
- The Manager’s report covered two fly-in events, on Jan. 18 and Feb. 15. The January event only attracted four pilots, because of windy and rainy conditions. Wind gusts also hampered the February event, although the airport still had a good turnout for lunch.
- At the Jan. 17 meeting, commissioners discussed the possibility of a new cell tower northwest of the airport. Pfeifer was asked to contact the Federal Aviation Administration to investigate the procedure for lodging an objection. He found that the permit holder had not completed an application process, and they would have to begin the process from the beginning if they proceed. Consulting Engineer Dan Clinton said the tower may never be built, but the permit holder would want to keep the permit open.
- The airport will take estimates on an electric gate on the east side of the airport. Clinton said the airport would be eligible for an 80/20 grant. The gate would reduce automobile traffic across the runway.
- County Clerk Connie Doss attended the meeting, and asked commissioners if they would rather have a separate line item in the county budget. Any change would be easiest at the end of a year, she explained, and she also said that would require the commission to prepare a complete budget.
Commissioners voted to remain with the current arrangement at least through the end of the year. The airport currently sends requests for expenditures to the clerk’s office.