This project will relocate the current general aviation aircraft storage area to a new location on existing Airport Authority property within the current perimeter fence. The project will involve the construction of a new apron, taxiway, and small aircraft hangars. This work became necessary because the pavement at the current 1970s facility no longer meets FAA specifications and the hangars can no longer be safely maintained.
This project originated from the Airport Authority’s 2009 Airport Master Plan study which identified four sites capable of hosting such a facility after which the FAA directed the Airport Authority to complete a benefit-cost analysis to determine which site was best suited for this facility and presented the most cost-efficient alternative based on FAA design requirements. Based on the analysis and in conjunction with the Airport Authority Properties and Facilities Committee’s recommendation, it was determined the site of the former Runway 3/21, located on the south side of Runway 11/29, offered the safest, most convenient, and most cost-effective location for this replacement aircraft storage facility.
Private vehicles will access the new general aviation facility through the airport’s existing gate on Waterford Estates Drive and will include a small, paved aircraft apron, paved taxi lanes, and taxiways connecting to Runway 11/29. The facility will also include the construction of 3 rows of aircraft T-hangar buildings capable of individually storing up to 58 small, single-engine aircraft. For safety reasons, to prevent aircraft fuel trucks from crossing the runways/taxiways, a small self-fueling unit will be provided for the aircraft owners at this site.
Phase II of the new GA Facility project is complete. Final punch list items are being completed along with hangar transition details. Please continue to check the GA portal for more move in updates.
To reduce the impacts of this project on the neighboring residents and for environmental improvements, the Airport Authority incorporated several additional project components to be a responsible, respectful neighbor.
Please reach out to us by email at GAproject@cira.com.
GA or General Aviation in this case is a term that is used to identify small, privately owned aircraft used primarily for recreational flying. These would be predominantly single engine aircraft that seat 2-6 people.
While it is hard to define the level of noise that will interfere with neighbors, it is important to note the aircraft operating from this facility will be small, single-engine aircraft (no jet aircraft) with just two or four cylinders which are typically quieter than a residential lawn mower – especially from a distance of more than a city block.
While aircraft owners will be permitted to work on their own airplanes, large scale and ongoing commercial maintenance will not be permitted on this site.
No, the runways will remain as they are located now. In air activity will not move closer to any residence than they are currently allowed.
The only street which will incur hangar-related traffic is Waterford Estates Drive. On an average day there should be less than a dozen vehicle movements through the gate to access the new hangars. Given certain flying conditions, there will be days when there is no traffic. Additionally, airport vehicles will access this facility from inside the airport perimeter fence, not the residential street.
These will be T-hangar facilities where the aircraft is stored when not in use. Pilots will come into the facility to access their planes, pull them out of the hangar, taxi to the runway and fly their aircraft. They may spend time in their hangars doing light maintenance on their aircraft. There will be no jets or commercial activity in this area.
This location was selected using existing Airport Authority-owned property to avoid acquiring additional property or extending the existing airport perimeter fence and was formally approved by the FAA. The focus for selecting this site was on aircraft operational safety, standardized FAA airport design requirements, constructability, and overall project costs.
No, users of the facility will come and go through a controlled gate at Waterford Estates and Castlemain and will not be permitted to access property beyond the airport property.