‘Tweak’ In Lowering Power Lines Delays Airport Runway Plan
‘Tweak’ In Lowering Power Lines Delays Airport Runway Plan
Posted
Mark Howe-mhowe@timesuniononline.com
‘Tweak’ In Lowering Power Lines Delays Airport Runway PlanThe moving of power lines near Warsaw Municipal Airport has hit a verbal snag, reported Ken Ross, engineering consultant, at the Board of Aviation Commissioners meeting Tuesday night.
Ross, of NGC Aviation Consultants, told the board American Electrical Power said they may have to “tweak” the plan to lower electrical lines east of the airport. By lowering the lines, the airport’s east-west runway’s entire length can be used, rather than the Federal Aviation Administration’s restrictions coming in to play.
When Ross told the FAA of AEP’s use of the word “tweak,” federal officials balked.
Essentially, AEP is willing to modify the plan as the lines are being lowered to accommodate any unforseen circumstances once the work begins. But the FAA wants to know exactly what work will be done before its officials will sign off on the plan.
So Ross is working with AEP to finalize a plan to submit to the FAA, which will take longer than Ross or anyone else would like.
In other business, Nick King, airport manager, reviewed the facility’s expenses for February, citing three out-of-the-ordinary expenses. One is an annual fee of $3,901.89 to AEP for markers on the power lines that are to be lowered; that fee should go away after this year.
The second expense was for $1,956 to BIT computers for an iPad and a software application that will permit airport personnel to talk to pilots while in-flight.
The third was for additional runway de-icing materials, as weather conditions forced maintenance workers to use 500 gallons for a single clearing. Normally, the airport has around 1,500 gallons of material on hand, enough to clear ice off the runway between four and six times.
The board’s next meeting will be at 5:15 p.m. April 9 at the city hall council chambers, 102 S. Buffalo St.
