The Carroll County Airport Commission met March 27, where commissioners looked forward to better flying weather and new construction projects.
Fuel sales were slow in the past month, but spring weather is expected to bring increased activity to the airport. Fuel prices here remain at a rate competitive with other regional airports, and commissioners discussed ways to attract more customers. Prices at this airport may attract pilots from areas like Bentonville, where fuel costs more. Increased sales will place the airport in better position to take advantage of favorable purchase prices.
The airport currently has about 3,000 gallons on hand, but commissioners agreed to buy more fuel now, since prices may continue to rise in the near future. The airport will soon have jet fuel available, as a hangar tenant has received approval to install a tank for jet fuel. Other jet pilots will also be able to buy fuel from this tank. The tank is currently in the shop for re-conditioning before installation.
Spring also brings the necessary weather for construction, and site work is under way for a new six-bay hangar. Contractors are bringing in base rock to prepare the site for the concrete slab. The airport also hopes to add another six-bay hangar, but they face some steep price increases. Even with a $310,000 federal grant and a $500,000 state grant, the airport would need to come up with more than $50,000 to pay for that project.
In other business:
- The commissioners continued to discuss the need for a generator large enough to power the terminal and necessary airport systems. In addition to the cost of the unit, they mentioned the cost of a switching mechanism and the cost of labor to install the system.
- Immediately after discussing the generator, the commissioners addressed the need for exterior repairs to the terminal building. The original concrete siding has failed in several areas, and that siding may be replaced with an engineered wood siding. Contractors will be asked to enter bids on the job. All agreed that the siding should take priority over obtaining a generator.
- The airport will have additional expenses in converting to city water. Commissioners discussed several strategies for supplying water to the various parts of the airport. Whichever plan the commissioners adopt will require spending more money, and they expressed the hope that the existing well that serves the airport will continue to provide water for the near future.
- The windsock has been replaced in its existing spot. Commissioners have discussed alternative locations for the windsock, and each possible location has attendant difficulties. A prospective tenant may wish to build a hangar on that site, which would force the commission to find another spot for the windsock.
- Airport Manager Mark Pepple reported that he had replaced all the tie-downs in the parking area near the fuel tank. He also said he has already begun mowing in some areas.