An airport doesn't serve much purpose without a usable runway.
Doug Arnold, Huron County Airport secretary-treasurer, said that was one of many points made in a recent 75-minute conference call with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
"The call was very informative," Arnold said. "It gave a clear picture of the status of the airport and the status of its needs or required maintenance."
Arnold said maintaining the runway is the top priority, but that can be expensive.
"Just seal coating the cracks in the runway will cost $210,000," he said.
Two of the three Huron County commissioners, Carol Knapp from the Huron County Development Council, Delta airport consultants, members of the airport board and a representative from the Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation, were on the conference call.
Arnold, who is a pilot, flew earlier this week back and forth to North Carolina, landing on the runway at the Huron County airport.
Arnold said he had no problem landing on the local runway, though he added it does need repairs.
"There are gaps or cracks on the runway and those will fill in with water in the wintertime," he said. "Then, they will freeze and thaw and the cracks will become wider and cost more to repair."
Small stones or pieces of debris on a runway can also be dangerous, as gravel can be treacherous to an engine's in-take, Arnold said.
There has been some discussion lately about a proposed access road at the airport. This road would permit vehicles to exit the raceway park during large events, without having to close the runway.
Arnold said there isn't much new information to report regarding the road.
A wildlife study might be part of the prerequisites before the road is built.
Arnold indicated there is much wildlife activity at the airport.
"We've had three deer harvested already this season," he said.
There is $600,000 presently available to the airport in federal grants, which would require a 10-percent match. Arnold said those grant funds could be used to make the runway repairs.
The catch in the grant application process is the county commissioners are required to sign the pre-application and application.
Source: http://www.norwalkreflector.com
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