The Carroll County Airport Commission learned at its Oct. 19 meeting that things continue to fall into place toward renovating and leasing of the 60×60-ft. hangar at the south edge of the property. Airport Manager Michael Pfeifer said a technician for the Higher Power Door Company met with him and they finalized plans for ordering the appropriate door for the building, and Pfeifer found tenants who accepted the commission’s terms for leasing the building as soon as renovation is complete.
Gary and Heather Robison, who recently moved to the area, announced they were eager to take possession of the hangar. Gary recounted his extensive experience as a pilot and aircraft mechanic, and explained he intends to become a support center for the Raptor kit aircraft that he predicted will change general aviation forever.
He is a Certified Flight Instructor and Airbus pilot for United Parcel Service who told commissioners that designer Peter Muller intends to fly the Raptor prototype this year. The Raptor will be a homebuilt light aircraft with space for five people in a pressurized composite body with a 62-in. wide cabin. It can fly at 300 knots (345 mph) but will cruise at 230 knots on seven gallons per hour of diesel or jet aviation fuel. Gary said a 380-horsepower Audi engine suitable for 3000 nautical miles powers the plane.
Cost to the customer will be $130,000, which commissioners agreed was an unbelievably attractive price for such a product. Muller already has 1500 depositors ready to buy a Raptor with the Robisons being Number 65 on the list.
Gary said Muller plans to build 30 Raptors per month once production begins, but doesn’t expect to have one in their hangar at CCA for at least a year. He will have to fly one for 40 hours before he can begin assembling them, and he intends to train others.
Commissioner Sandy Martin commented, “It’s an exciting idea for the airport,” mentioning it would be great if Muller would get the parts manufactured in Carroll County instead of the Philippines.
“If this thing works, it will be as big as Orville and Wilbur,” commissioner and pilot Dave Teigen said.
Heather Robison said when nearby pilots begin buying Raptor kits they might need guidance and training, and CCA will be where they get it.
Pfeifer reported the Higher Power door will take 14-20 weeks to construct, and he will modify the doorframe in the meantime. Insulation and electrical upgrades will also be added.
Money talks
Martin said she and commissioner Jason Tennant would be meeting with the Quorum Court budget committee on Nov. 1. She intends to request $60,000 from the county for 2019 because they have been maintaining county property on a shoestring. The county allocated $40,000 for 2018.
She also mentioned it would help if the county would relieve them of the $14,000 left on a loan CCA has been repaying for two years.
Other items
- Pfeifer said the work to replace the runway lights would begin by the end of the month.
- He also reported he has been checking on warranty information about the roof of the eight-bay hangar because it has a leak. A representative of the contractor could not find the source of the leak, and will refer the problem to the manufacturer.
Next meeting will be Friday, Nov. 16, at 12 p.m. at CCA.