Carroll County Airport Manager Michael Pfeifer announced at the May 19 Airport Commission meeting, “Hangars are now one hundred percent full, and I field two or three calls per week looking for hangar space here.” He said 17 hangars house 42 aircraft at CCA.
Consulting engineer Dan Clinton had disappointing news regarding grants for new hangars, saying the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics changed its grant-making policy limiting 80-20 matching grants to a maximum of $250,000. This would mean CCA might now have to consider adding only four or six hangars through a grant instead of eight.
Pfeifer also mentioned he sent a grant application to Little Rock for several items to finish the corporate hangar, and accompanying the application was drone video footage of CCA shot and edited by Jason Kisic of Eureka Springs. The video is available on Youtube by going to “heirbornranger7” and look for the “Airport” video.
Fly-in June 3
Pfeifer told commissioners there will be a fly-in Saturday, June 3, from 11 – 2 to coincide with the Recreational Aircraft Federation event at Trigger Gap that weekend.
He is also coordinating a fly-in with Judy Reynolds, manager at Turkey Mountain Airport in Shell Knob, Mo., on June 17. The plan is for pilots to have breakfast at Turkey Mountain, then fly to CCA for a burger cookout lunch.
Spread the word
Regarding a marketing plan for CCA, commissioner Sandy Martin asked, “First of all, what can we do for nothing?” She suggested options for using Facebook more effectively as well as other social media to continue getting word out to more pilots about CCA. She had researched flying clubs because they take trips together and host each other, so the airport might want to reach out to them. She mentioned buying print ads in publications such as Fly-Low, and commissioners said they approved of that magazine and the fact its writers would feature CCA in an article.
Other suggestions included advertising in experimental aircraft publications and connecting with the business community in Eureka Springs.
Pfeifer pointed out a big selling point for CCA is the availability of five courtesy cars. He said it is typical for pilots to land, tie down and take a courtesy car to Eureka Springs for the day.
Martin said she would look at the budget and see if she can find money for marketing, and commissioners approved buying a quarter-page ad in Fly-Low magazine.
Other items
- Before the meeting, there was a bid opening for resurfacing the taxiway. Clinton announced there were two bids, and recommended the $201,090 bid from Hutchens Construction. He said he would apply for a state grant before the June 16 meeting.
- Commissioners authorized the purchase of 4000 gallons of fuel. Pfeifer said he goes through about 2000 gallons per month, but they cannot afford to buy a full 8000-gallon tank.
- Pfeifer said he and Dave Teigen had painted the meeting room during the previous weekend, and planned to paint the rest of the interior of the building Sunday afternoon in case any commissioners were available to help. Paint was supplied by Teigen.
- A group of home-schooled students visited CCA, and were treated to an explanation of aerodynamics by Teigen, with his plane part of the explanation.
- Teigen also gave a plane ride to members of the Weems family, one of whom was in his 90s, and the family donated $200 to the airport. Teigen encouraged other pilots to consider offering fundraising rides.
Next meeting will be Friday, June 16, at 12 p.m.