It took two meetings, but the Alva Airport Commission set some wheels in motion under the leadership of the new airport manager, Tyson Tucker.
Monday’s regular meeting included only the manager’s report, the approval of the minutes, and comments from board members, but those comments pointed up some immediate needs. Specifically, it was time to dispose of the semi-retired antique Lincoln Continental courtesy car; explore the practicality of the board constructing their own turf runway; and come up with a plan for the location of new hangars.
Present for Monday’s meeting were Acting Chair Paul Kinzie, Secretary Mary Strickland, Gary Lehl and Garrett Steggs along with visitors Mayor Arden Chaffee and City Business Manager Steven Brown. Absent was Bob Baker. Kinzie announced he would call a special meeting for Thursday night to address the above issues.
Special Meeting
The special meeting was again led by Kinzie with Lehl and Steggs present and Strickland and Baker absent. Mayor Chaffee and City Manager Brown also were present along with visitors Bruce Papon and Dale Logsdon.
The board unanimously authorized Tucker to advertise the Continental courtesy car for sale. Although it needs a battery, paint and interior, it’s basically sound, and its 460 engine makes it a popular restoration target of collectors.
The airport’s cross-wind turf runway was destroyed during construction of the new 5,000-foot jet-capable runway, but many light aircraft require a cross-wind option in high east or west winds. Also, many owners of antique tail-draggers insist on operating only from turf.
With the agricultural background of the area, the board appointed Dale Logsdon and Bruce Papon plus board members Paul Kinzie and Bob Baker to a committee along with Tucker to investigate the practicality of simply having board members and staff do the dirt work and plant the grass. However, to maintain FAA grants, it would need to be built to FAA requirements.
The board appointed Mary Strickland and Garrett Steggs to investigate the market and work with the airport consultants to come up with a long-range plan for additional hangars.
Growth of the airport means the probability that hangars will need to be built west of the new runway. Tucker noted Monday he had already been in a preliminary meeting with Garver representatives to discuss the need for new hangars and issues with drainage that needed to be addressed during any new construction.
Airport Manager’s Report
Returning to Monday’s report from Airport Manager Tyson Tucker, he said fuel sales were up with 1,743.4 gallons of 100 low-lead and 5,370.3 of Jet-A. The seismic helicopter from TransAero accounted for 3,790.4 of the Jet-A. Tucker noted the new fuel truck can pump about 100 gallons per minute and suggested advertising we have one of the fastest turn-around times in the Midwest.
Tucker said jet traffic has picked up a lot in the past two weeks and noted the photographs published in the Alva Review-Courier of three jets lined up at the airport with another cleared for arrival. Tucker said the pilots always compliment him on the airport’s service, hospitality, facilities and clean restrooms.
As for personnel, Tucker hired a new part time employee, Greg Robison, and he is learning airport operations quickly. Since the October meeting, the airport crack repair project was completed, Tucker said, and mowing and weed-eating have been completed for the season.
The noise in the rotating beacon was a matter of adjustment, lubrication and the replacement of a v-belt. Problems with navigation lights were traced by Northwest Electric and repaired along with a faulty photocell, Tucker said. The Automated Weather Observation System is still awaiting two parts to be in full service.
At the FAA Southwest Region Conference in Fort Worth Nov. 7- 9, Tucker said he learned a lot and established a working relationship with members of the OAC and FAA that should help resolve current issues with the new runway that have delayed it’s final FAA certification.
The Civil Air Patrol program is still in the process of signing up members and young cadets, Tucker said, and when they have enough members to make up a flight, they will begin to use the terminal every Thursday. Gil Michaelis will be commanding officer for the local flight, Tucker announced.
In other items, Tucker said sealed bid notices will go out on the old road graders and he is obtaining bids on a new concrete floor for the South Building and adding electrical service to it. He is also looking at the possibility of a three-sided building for the fuel trucks and courtesy cars.
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