Airport fuel sales increase

Activity at Portland Municipal Airport has picked up as the weather has improved, and with that added traffic has come more fuel sales.
Airport manager Hal Tavzel told Portland Board of Aviation on Wednesday that fuel sales are above average for the year thus far.
He noted that the airport sold 3,776 gallons of fuel in March for a total of $14,365.85. That’s up more than 600 gallons from March 2014.
Sales for the first half of April were 1,986 gallons for $7,834.43.
“We have the most competitive fuel price in a 50-mile radius right now,” said Tavzel. “I think that’s what’s drawing in some of the planes when they come here for a fuel stop on their way to somewhere else.”
Of 81 fuel sales in March, 24 were to aircraft not stationed at the airport.
Tavzel also discussed several projects, including the widening of driveways to T-hangars. The project, which was approved in January, is expected to begin within the next few weeks.
He also said All-American Door will repair minor wind damage to a hangar door, and asked the board about the possibility of painting two rows of T-hangars. Board president Mike McKee recommended that Tavzel get estimates for the painting project and bring them to the board next month.
In other business, board members Dick Baldauf, John Lyons, Jim Runkle and McKee:
•Learned from Jason Clearwaters of engineering firm Butler, Fairman and Seufert that the deadline for FAA grant applications is July 2. Portland Municipal Airport’s grant will be for an environmental study and design of the 1,500-foot runway extension that was approved in January.
•Approved a reimbursement request for the airport layout plan grant for a total of $26,648.68.
•Heard from McKee that the airport now has a page on the city’s website — http://www.thecityofportland.net.
•Approved payment of claims totaling $229.19.