Airport gets paint job; traffic, fuel sales up: Madison Airport (I39), Richmond, Kentucky.

George Wyatt pushes his airplane back in its hangar at the Madison Airport after returning from a flight.

RICHMOND — Sales of jet fuel at the Madison Airport more than doubled from August to September, airport manager Jason Bonham told the airport board Oct. 4.

Bonham, an employee of Eastern Kentucky University, which assumed management of the airport in August, said the facility sold 1,560 gallons of jet fuel in September, 874 more than a month before.

Regular aviation fuel sales were up 220 gallons to 4,397.

Bonham attributed the increased fuel sales to his marketing efforts and to keeping prices low.

Having an automobile for fliers to use after they land also has helped generate business for the airport, said Dr. Wilma Walker, the board chair. Richmond City Commission recently donated a decommissioned police cruiser for the airport’s use, and the board is appreciative, she said.

Fuel sales are not the only things looking brighter at the airport, Walker said.

The airport’s hangar/office building recently got a new coat of paint, improving its appearance.

The painting, done by Steve Mahan of Lexington at a cost of $15,639, had been authorized during the board’s September meeting.

At the Oct. 4 meeting, board members discussed having the office interior painted, installing an awning on the building and upgrading its plumbing, Walker said.

They also tentatively agreed to spend about $3,500 for an update of the facility’s storm-water and ground-water management plan as required by the state Division of Water.

These items were acted on in a called meeting scheduled for Saturday at the airport because the board lacked a quorum of four members at last Tuesday’s meeting.

Three members — Walker, Dr. Adrienne Millett and Ken Schwendeman — were present for the regularly scheduled meeting, and one — Chester Powell — participated via telephone conference. Board secretary George Wyatt was unavailable.

Trimming of the new pavement edges of the airport, which have been found to be too high, also is planned for the near future, Walker said. The work will require closing of the runway for about two days.

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