Cape May County Airport (KWWD) loses operator, services for pilots. Wildwood, New Jersey.

Photo Credit:  Dale Gerhard

Big Sky Aviation has ceased its operations at the Cape May Airport in Erma, Lower Township, but still runs its operations at the Millville Airport. Friday, Oct. 28, 2011.

LOWER TOWNSHIP — The fixed-base operator for the Cape May Airport withdrew from the airport this month, leaving pilots with fewer services.

Big Sky Aviation based in Millville previously offered flight training, refueling and other services at the airport, said James Salmon, spokesman for the Delaware River and Bay Authority. The authority oversees the airport.

Pilots who fly into Lower Township can still get fuel, but they have to serve themselves.

“There really aren’t that many changes,” Salmon said. “We still provide hangar services. We still provide self-serve fuel.”

A spokeswoman for Big Sky Aviation was not available on Friday. A voicemail at the airport warns pilots about the limited services.

“Currently the airport is undergoing a transition period where personal services will not be available during the winter months,” the message says. “Pilots are encouraged to check for fuel availability.”

Cape May County Administrator Stephen O’Connor said pilots reported limited fueling options at the airport.

“We’ve been trying to diplomatically pressure them to recruit a new provider. The immediate concern is to make sure pilots have fuel, that it is accessible and is convenient to fill their planes,” he said.

O’Connor said the county would like a full-service operation at the airport.

The county is also weighing the long-term plans for industrial expansion at the airport. Cape May County is opposing efforts to give portions of the airport a historical designation for fear this would impede economic development and expansion there.

The Cape May Airport was a training ground for U.S. Navy pilots during World War II.

“The county will have to decide in the near future how much effort it wants to put into a partnership with the DRBA to try to strengthen the economic potential of the industrial park,” O’Connor said.

The Cape May Airport is one of three in Cape May County. Another, the Woodbine Municipal Airport, is investing nearly $1 million in state grants to expand the aprons around the two runways where planes can tie down.

The project will add 120,000 square feet of room for planes along with another access road north of Henry DeCinque Boulevard.

Woodbine has been seeing more interest from pilots since Bader field in Atlantic City closed in 2006.

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http://www.airnav.com/airport/KWWD