Members of the Carroll County Airport Commission heard some positive news about an airport upgrade at the Sept. 18 meeting. A newly installed tank now offers jet fuel to airport patrons, and that will attract a new category of smaller jets to the airport.
Some commissioners were enthusiastic enough to call this a new era for the airport. Sales for general aviation fuel have remained brisk, while the sale of jet fuel has outpaced avgas this month. Commissioners voted to purchase more jet fuel. The new revenue stream will help the airport meet its long-term goals of self-sufficiency.
In other business:
- A seal coat will be applied to an expanded ramp area. Areas around hangars on the south side of the airport will also receive a seal coat in the first week of October. Workers will apply temporary markings, and they will return after 30 days for the permanent markings. The sealed areas will be shut down for a short period for curing.
- Consulting Engineer Mike Stengel said a six-bay hangar is substantially complete, and he will schedule a walk-through soon. All six bays have already been leased, and another six-bay hangar will be constructed later this winter. Those six spots have also been leased already.
Stengel also discussed some other planned projects and costs.
- Airport Manager Mark Pepple said he is researching ways to add lighting at the fuel pumps. Some pilots have complained about the difficulty of fueling up at night. Pepple said any lighting in that area would have to be rated as non-explosive. The commission has already approved up to $5,000 for the project.
- Commissioner Morris Pate suggested reviewing the parking situation at the terminal. He said the limited parking available now is not adequate for airport events. The addition of two more courtesy cars will further reduce the available parking. He suggested several approaches that would add parking spaces, and a grant would pay for the project.
- A vote at the table confirmed an e-vote to acquire two vehicles from the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office. The commission paid $5,000 for the two vehicles, which were said to be in better shape than some other vehicles commissioners have purchased as courtesy cars for visiting pilots. The commission credited Justice of the Peace Mark Phillips for his efforts in promoting the acquisition.
- Another vote confirmed an e-vote to purchase more aviation fuel.
- Although it has only been a minor inconvenience, the commission will place a sign around the fuel pumps to remind pilots not to leave their planes parked in the way of other planes.
* Commission Chair Dave Teigen praised the workers who performed a recent ramp expansion to increase access to the new jet fuel tank. Teigen said he took the workers for an airplane ride, which they greatly appreciated.
- Pepple said the airport paid deposits for new electrical services in a new six-bay hangar. As tenants take over those hangar bays, the airport’s deposits will be refunded.