With a new tank in place offering jet fuel, sales from that tank have been brisk, and members of the Carroll County Airport Commission have already approved another purchase of fuel to resupply that tank. Sales of aviation fuel have also been strong, as noted in a report from Airport Manager Mark Pepple at the Oct. 16 commission meeting.
Pepple said he has been working on repairing some runway and taxiway lights. Some commissioners wondered how those lights could have been broken, since an airplane’s wheels never go near the edges of the runway.
A new six-bay hangar has been completed, and tenants are prepared to move in once asphalt work has been completed around the hangar. Commissioners had previously discussed the possibility of combining this asphalt project with a similar paving project around another planned six-bay hangar. That would save money on the asphalt, but the commission would lose a few months’ rent in the meantime. They planned to perform all site work to have those locations ready for asphalt. Some expressed concerns that winter weather might postpone asphalt work until spring.
Consulting Engineer Mike Stengel said a newly paved apron area serving the fuel tank area has temporary markings but will need permanent markings after the surface fully cures. Materials for a new six-bay hangar should arrive in December, and the slab will be poured within a week. Stengel spent some time discussing the airport’s five-year capital improvement plan for 2027 to 2032, showing anticipated income, expenses, and projects. He also explained some restrictions expected in grants, which are starting to shift more toward airport maintenance than revenue-generating projects.
Stengel said the airport should still apply for grants for land acquisition. He said the airport should focus on a runway expansion effort. The runway is currently 3,600 feet, and extending it to 4,000 feet is a manageable goal. In the long term, the runway could be extended to 5,000 feet, but that would take some major earth work on the western end of the runway. A county road and utility lines would limit the possibility of extending the runway to the east, although the airport could gain as much as 150 feet in that direction, reducing the extension needed on the western end.
In other business:
- A project to make repairs on the terminal building is currently under way. A bay window was removed, and termite damage was found in some areas.
- New lighting at the fuel pumps will soon be in place.
- Justice of the Peace Matt Phillips serves as liaison to the commission and has helped locate two more vehicles to serve as courtesy cars for incoming pilots. The airport may purchase magnetic signs to identify the vehicles while advertising for the airport.
- Pepple had sent commissioners reports of illegal use of the airport’s dumpster. The airport may address the problem by issuing key cards, which will allow monitoring who enters the airport. Commissioners will investigate the cost of installing such an access system.