The recent explosion of gas and oil development here has brought a need for enhancements and upgrades at the Cambridge Municipal Airport.
Airport Manager Terry Losego addressed the Cambridge-Guernsey County Community Improvement Corporation recently, presenting the goals and accomplishments of airport and providing an update of county and city funding.
“Due to the increase of corporate users and oil and gas aircraft, the airport has received numerous requests for de-icing equipment, auxiliary power units and overnight hangars,” Losego said.
He discussed the importance of the FY14 Grant in the amount of $443,182.00.
“This grant will provide replacement of two obstruction light poles and extensive compliance issues which are pertinent for the airport’s runway extension,” Losego said. “The goals of the airport were well received by everyone present.”
On a related note, Delta Airport Consultants has expressed interest in the Storm Water Prevention Plan. This plan is required to be in place for the purpose of applying de-icing fluid to aircraft in need of this service.
The board agreed to purchase a hand sprayer and pursue the SWPP.
In other action, Losego and Secretary Brenda Dolweck attended a Nov. 6 Ohio Utica Midstream Development Forum at which Congressman Bill Johnson was the featured speaker. He discussed the economical impact and job growth in Ohio. An estimated 38,000 jobs have already been created due to the oil and gas boom. By the year 2035, an estimated 260,000 jobs will have been created in the state.
Greg Sullivan of MarkWest Energy presented statistics on the facilities in Cadiz (Belmont County) and Seneca Plants (Noble County). The Cadiz plant is currently processing 60 million cubic feet of gas daily and will process 400 million cubic feet of gas daily when fully operational, he said. The Seneca Plants will process 600 million cubic feet of gas daily.
Several other speakers from Dominion East and Spectra Energy spoke on the progression of the pipeline. Ohio Oil and Gas Energy Education Program Executive Director Rhonda Reda presented a program called “STEM”(science, technology, engineering, math) which is now being presented in Ohio middle schools to gear students towards career opportunities in the oil and gas fields.
“The rotating beacon is not working,” Losego told the board. “The rotating beacon is out more than it is on. The rotating beacon needs replaced.”
Engineering Consultant Steve Potoczak prepared a change order to repair the rotating beacon. This is an eligible item for the Federal Aviation Administration FY13 Grant. The estimate from Perram Electric, including cable to the power source is $5,680.
The new rotating beacon will be in the same location and will use the same pole as the current beacon.
Potoczak provided an update on the progress of the precision approach path indicator and runway end identifier lights projects. Construction began on Dec. 3. Nicolozakes Trucking & Construction Inc. excavated the site. The contractor located cables alongside the runway.
Losego presented the board with correspondence from Dave Clawson of CDM Smith.
“Clawson e-mailed information collected to date for the airport’s Ohio Department of Transportation Office of Aviation’s Ohio Airports Focus Study and associated Statewide Airport Economic Impact Analysis,” Losego said. “This information is a brief overview that provides basic airport information as well as a description of the airport’s qualitative benefits. Upon reviewing the data, the board felt that several key components were lacking and did not accept the criteria.”
The board, Losego, airport secretary and Steve Potoczak of Delta Airport Consultants drafted a new narrative of basic information and qualitative benefits of the airport. This draft was submitted to Clawson.
On Nov. 18, Thompson Petroleum began the replacement of filters on the two aviation gasoline pumps. The airport provided the filters and the mounting brackets and workers will plumb them.
Thompson Petroleum will also be replacing two 12-inch cracked manholes at one of the inspection ports of the
4,000 gallon tank, and pour two concrete pads reinforced with wire mesh.
The cost for labor time and material is not to exceed $6,000.
The board recommended to the City of Cambridge reappointing Dave Hill as a trustee to the Cambridge Area Regional Airport Authority Board. His five year term commences Jan. 1, 2014, and expires Dec. 31, 2018.
The new John Deere Tractor was delivered to the airport Nov. 8.
The staff is very pleased with the new tractor,” Losego said. “They have been busy attaching the blade for snow removal. Also the hitch has been installed to move aircraft. The staff would like to thank the airport authority board for the new tractor.”
Fuel sales through Oct. 31, with sales through the same point last year in parenthesis, are as follows:
• Aviation gasoline — 10,289.3 gallons (11,505.8 gallons)
• Jet fuel — 17,376 gallons (20,212.5 gallons).
Operation (takeoffs and landings) through Oct. 31 with operations through the same point last year in parenthesis, are as follows:
• General aviation — 1,062 (1,527)
• Business — 749 (795).
The 1966 Ford refueler truck was out of service Nov. 21 and part of the following day for repairs.
The Cambridge Regional Airport Authority Board is slated to next meet in regular sessions at 7:30 a.m. Dec. 18.