Facing a light agenda for the April 21 meeting, members of the Carroll County Airport Commission took a little time to look a year into the future. A total eclipse will bring pilots to the area, and this airport may see additional traffic during the April 8, 2024 event.
Airport Manager Mark Pepple said fuel sales remained brisk in March and early April. He said the next fuel purchase would come with a sharp price increase, with the airport’s cost expected to be $4.34 per gallon. That would yield an expected cost to airport tenants of $4.77, with other fliers paying $5.42.
Pepple noted that mowing season has arrived. He has also surveyed the cost of replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs in the terminal. The year’s first Fly-in was held in March, and another was scheduled for breakfast time on the day after the meeting.
High school students will tour the airport on Tuesday, May 9, for Aviation Day. The county’s three school districts will participate, and organizers expect a large number of curious kids. Northark is developing some aviation courses, and students will hear about possible careers in aviation. They will also have the opportunity to watch planes taking off and landing.
During public comments, questions were raised about closing the runway on the Saturday before Easter. Pepple explained that the contractor hired to stripe the runway has a weather-dependent schedule., and the airport had short notice of their arrival.
Commission Chair Dave Teigen apologized for the inconvenience to local pilots, and admitted that he had plans to fly over that weekend as well.