Airport readying for celestial spectacle

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Weather problems could easily spoil the approaching eclipse, but the Carroll County Airport Commission continued last week to plan for an expected influx of visitors.

County officials will meet at the Special Operation Rescue Team building at the airport to maintain a central command point. Some estimates suggest that the county’s population could triple for the April 8 eclipse. The county’s few main highways could easily become clogged, and county officials and emergency responders will have a location with access to helicopter service, if necessary. The runway is expected to be busy with arrivals and departures, but the county building does not lie close to the runway.

Commissioners discussed holding some sort of public event at the terminal during the eclipse, but traffic conditions might prevent people from attending. Chair Dave Teigen suggested some smaller-scale event for pilots who fly here for the eclipse, and commissioners agreed not to charge tie-down fees that day. The airport has a limited number of tie-down spots.

The extra traffic should boost fuel sales at the airport, and commissioners discussed ways to move planes near the fuel tank.

The airport will hold a Fly-in event on Saturday, April 6. The eclipse will occur in the early afternoon on Monday, April 8, and this area lies on the fringe of totality.

In other business:

  • Airport Manager Mark Pepple said the airport sold 1,250 gallons of fuel during December, and sales during January were already at 850 gallons. A new reel for the fuel hose cost $1,400, and commissioners confirmed an emergency vote taken by email for the purchase.
  • A regional project manager from the Federal Aviation Administration will visit the airport at the end of the month, and Teigen invited the other commissioners to attend. Consulting engineer Joey Wallace will also attend.
  • A line item was created for snow removal, with an initial allocation of $1,200. That line item could also cover costs for removing trees and other debris, but the immediate concern dealt with snow removal. Commissioners will try to make arrangements with a contractor before another major snow event.