One year ago the Dubois County Airport Authority board was preparing to take over the fixed-base operator (FBO) services at the airport after Dubois County Flight Services announced they would no longer be offering those services as of March 2013.
With the uncertainty of what financial resources would be required to take on the monumental task, the airport authority added money into their budget to cover the expenses.
Now, after working as the FBO for about six months, another scenario has emerged: the board is making money: on both fuel and storage rental fees.
And, the demand is growing.
Airport Manager Travis McQueen told the board at their meeting Monday night that their hangars are full and they are getting requests for additional storage.
“I took a phone call today (on hangar 3), a gentleman was asking what it would take to rent the whole thing,” McQueen said. “All of a sudden we’re at capacity and we’ve got to add additional capacity.”
McQueen said he welcomes the challenges created by the development. “That brings more aircraft to the airport,” he explained. “What does that do for business? What does that do for economic development? I think it adds value to both of those points.”
Meanwhile, the sale of aircraft fuel is also going well. The airport has sold over 55,600 gallons of Jet A (fuel) alone. McQueen says this ”hugely” surpasses their expectations.
Based on the fuels sales, the Airport Board decided to examine a tiered structure for fuel prices that will give existing customers reasons to keep buying and help attract new aircraft and customers to the airport.
The board also heard of an idea to form a flying club at the airport. McQueen stated other local airports have formed flying clubs to increase upfront capitol for expenses.
Members pay a membership fee and receive various benefits for their membership like reduced rates for airplane rental from the airport.
The club’s name, the Frosty Jones Flying Club, pays homage to the founder of the Huntingburg Airport Forrest May “Frosty” Jones. Jones brought several business owners together to invest in the airport and using the funds raised purchased the land where the airport is located. When the airport opened in 1937, it was little more than a dirt track but, through the years, it has become an economic linchpin for the continued success of the county.
The board also heard:
-The precision approach path indicator (PAPI) lights were back online.
-Heard that Dubois County Airport Authority President Mike Cummings and McQueen met with the Henderson, KY, Airport manager to discuss options to expand aircraft storage at Huntingburg Airport.
-The authority is still waiting on the property value assessments to be completed on the acreage the authority plans on acquiring easements to remove trees creating an obstruction for night landings.
The authority learned in June that the runway was no longer approved for instrument approaches from the west at night due to trees and three towers considered to be obstructions.
Source: http://www.duboiscounty
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