Portland airport will host a fly-in

Portland Municipal Airport will be hosting a fly-in the morning of Aug. 26 during the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association Show.

Airport manager Hal Tavzel discussed plans for the fly-in at the Portland Aviation Board meeting Wednesday afternoon.

The board also heard an update on fuel sales, discussed possible upgrades to the airport’s fueling transaction system and pre-approved the signature for a grant proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration on the design for the planned runway extension.

Tavzel said the airport’s fly-in will be held from 6 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 at the airport, and visitors will have an opportunity to fly on a Piper Warrior single-engine plane at the cost of $15 per person. Goodfolk and O’Tymes Antique Biplane Rides will also be providing rides in antique biplanes for $75 per person.

A pancake and sausage breakfast will also be available for purchase during the fly-in, courtesy of Westchester United Methodist Church.

Fuel sales for the month of July were slightly below June numbers, but still strong, said Tavzel. The airport sold $24,093.72 in fuel during the month, totaling 6,753 gallons in 172 transactions.

Tavzel also mentioned that he plans on seeking more information on a wireless transaction system that would improve the capabilities of the system used to take payment for fuel.

“I’m excited about the possibility of presenting that to you guys,” Tavzel said.

Jason Clearwaters of Butler, Fairman and Seufert, also discussed the airport’s outstanding grant request from the FAA to fund designs of the new runway extension. He said grant responses are usually given back sometime in September, but that the FAA often has such a short timespan that it requires a response.

Board members John Lyons, Mitch Sutton and Dick Baldauf, absent Jim Runkle, decided to preemptively approve the signing of the grant by any one of the board members to ensure that if the grant request is approved and sent back by the FAA, the board wouldn’t need to scramble to convene a special meeting to approve signing it.

The board also approved claims totaling $21,053.41.