Airport grants to be closed

With the purchase of 44 new acres for a runway extension, Portland Board of Aviation can close two grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
The board discussed at its meeting Wednesday closing the land acquisition grant and a previous grant funding an update on an environmental study for the runway extension.
Also discussed was ongoing electrical work and concrete installation.
Jason Clearwaters of Butler, Fairman and Seufert, the airport’s engineering firm, explained that two grants from the FAA, one for land acquisition another for an environmental study, are ready to be closed with the FAA. He will submit closure requests in November. Clearwaters also said the property map will be updated to show the new acquisition, and that the land will be marked with stakes after the completion of this year’s harvest.
The 44 acre acquisition will be used to extend the length of the airport’s runway from 4,000 feet to 5,500 feet. The city has been pursuing the runway extension since 1999, finally receiving approval from the FAA in January 2014 after conducting a justification study that found that the extension could nearly double traffic at the airport. Construction on the the runway extension is set to begin in 2018.
The board also heard an update from airport manager Hal Tavzel on electrical work for airfield lighting. He said the lighting had been damaged by a lightning strike, and that work by Brewster Electric is almost complete and is just waiting on supplies to be shipped.
Board members John Lyons, Dick Baldauf, Mitch Sutton and Jim Runkle also discussed concrete installation for the Lutheran Air medical helicopter headquarters and for sections of taxiway. Tavzel said a patio outside the Lutheran Air area is complete and new sections of concrete near two hangers were completed by TJ Concrete and Construction of Portland.
In other business, the board:
•Heard from Tavzel about the Aviation Association of Indiana annual conference in Michigan City. Tavzel said he enjoyed the conference and that every time he goes he learns something new.
•Was informed of a successful Adams Central Elementary School field trip at the airport. Four buses of more than 100 first graders came Oct. 14 and toured the airport, Lutheran Air headquarters and Sonrise Aviation hangar.
•Heard a fuel update from Tavzel. In October, the airport sold 6,964 gallons of fuel in 181 fueling operations for a total revenue of $23,687.18. To date this month, the airport has sold 4,106 gallons of fuel in 97 fueling operations for a total revenue of $13,641.63.
•Discussed a few maintenance items to tie up in the Lutheran Air headquarters including floor issues and buying a new light.
•Approved payment of $8,919.49 in claims.