Members of the Carroll County Airport Commission had a light agenda at the August 16 meeting, and used the time to catch up on some recurring areas of interest.
Commissioners had voted in 2021 to buy a flight simulator to be used by local pilots or instructors working with students. The equipment received some minor damage during the last Fly-In, and commissioners discussed steps to protect the simulator.
Commissioner Morris Pate suggested posting a written policy near the simulator, along with a sign-up sheet for users. Everyone agreed that most instructors had used the simulator responsibly, however, the array seems as inviting as a video game. Pate suggested limiting use of the simulator to students working with a flight instructor and perhaps adding a small charge for using it. That discussion will continue next month.
In other business:
- A small project is about to begin to build up the dirt on the western end of the runway to avoid a drop-off if someone cannot stop a plane before reaching the end of the runway. The present drop-off will be reduced to less than an inch-and-a-half. The runway will not be closed, but notice will be extended that work is under way there.
- A contractor will present a bid on maintaining an area on the south side of the runway where mowers cannot operate. A skid-steer vehicle will be able to mow and remove brush and small trees in the area.
- Although a project to extend the western end of the runway is still in the future, commissioners designated a place to begin storing fill dirt for the project.
- All contractors working on the new 50×50 ft. hangar have been paid, and grant funds from the state are expected soon to reimburse the airport.
- The airport split a load of fuel with the Springdale airport, allowing the airport to avoid delivery fees on a half-load.