Ross, Lincoln, Pryor Announce $87,647 for Monticello Airport Improvements
July 2nd, 2010 by News Release
U.S. Congressman Mike Ross and U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor today announced that five airports in Arkansas’s Fourth Congressional District will receive U.S. Department of Transportation funding for repairs and new construction at their facilities.
Monticello Municipal Airport, Ellis Field will receive $87,647 to provide for the acquisition of land at the airport. The acquisition of this land is required to ensure the airport has control of the primary surface of the airport’s runway.
“Investing in our state’s infrastructure not only creates jobs now, but also fosters economic growth and development in the future,” said Ross. “I’m proud to help announce this support for our local airports because they provide an essential means of transportation and help recruit prospective businesses to our communities and to our area.”
“Our local airports are vital to economic development in our communities,” Lincoln said. “I am pleased that airports in South Arkansas will receive this funding to make improvements that will increase their safety and reliability for local residents and businesses that depend on their service.”
“Local airports provide a convenient method of transportation for rural residents and help attract jobs and economic development opportunities to the surrounding areas,” Pryor said. “These federal dollars will help improve facilities and safety features in airports across South Arkansas, and that’s a win-win for travelers and local communities.”
Monticello Municipal Airport named "2008 Airport of the Year"
By Patty Wooten, Advance Staff Writer; Published: Wednesday, October 8, 2008 1:59 PM CDT
The Monticello Municipal Airport was added to a prestigious list of Arkansas airports last month when it was named 2008 Airport of the Year for its ability to expand to meet the growing demands of Monticello and Southeast Arkansas, according to a citation from Gov. Mike Beebe and state Department of Aeronautics director John Knight.
"Excellent communication between (the Monticello Airport Commission), FAA, state, city and county officials, and aviation users has been the key to success for Monticello Municipal Airport," Knight said in a memo announcing the designation to the Arkansas Airport Operators Association.
Previous recipients of the "Airport of the Year" honor were the West Memphis Municipal Airport, Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport, Hot Springs Municipal Airport, Little Rock National Airport, Rogers Municipal Airport, Searcy Municipal Airport, Stuttgart Municipal Airport, Marianna-Lee County Municipal Airport, Fayetteville's Drake Field and the Saline County Regional Airport.
Monticello's airport of the year designation was based upon its completion of six projects last year, using $355,055 in state funding to leverage $95,715 in local funds. Those projects included a new eight-bay T hangar, access apron and taxiway, public parking lot, the relocation of wiring for runway lighting, 7,200 feet of seven-foot high chain-link fence with a barbed-wire extension, and runway directional signs, according to Bennie Ryburn III, chairman of the Monticello Airport Commission.
The airport, which had 4,800 operations (take-offs and landings) in 2005, has already exceeded the state's growth projections for the number of local based aircraft.
According to the state Department of Aeronautics' 2005 plan for the Monticello Municipal Airport, the airport was projected to have 22 aircraft based here by 2010 and 24 by 2015 but the local airport has already exceeded those numbers. Ryburn said there are 25 aircraft based here; all but three belong to private individuals and local businesses. The Arkansas Forestry Commission has two based here and the Civil Air Patrol has one.
In addition to the "Airport of the Year" designation, the airport recently received some good news when it was approved for a north approach.
Before the north approach was approved, aircraft, during a south wind, would have to do a circling approach.
"Now that the north approach has been published (approved) pilots have the ability to descend 260 feet lower to 620 feet while making an approach to the Monticello airport, making the airport accessible more often in poor weather conditions," Ryburn said.
Future airport plans call for additional public use space.
"We're going to apply for a 90/10 state grant to remodel the old CAP (Civil Air Patrol) building for use as a flight-based operation area," Ryburn said.
The 2,000 square-foot building will include an office, pilot lounge, "snooze" room, flight planning area and conference room. The project is expected to cost about $100,000 with the state picking up the tab for all but $10,000.
Plans also call for the completion of the fencing project around the runway environment. Ryburn expects the city will receive federal and state grants to pay for the nearly 10,000 feet of additional fencing.
Additionally, the airport's 20-year master plan and layout plan is currently being updated, Ryburn said.
arver Engineers, the engineering firm working on the Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Facility, is currently working with the Monticello Airport Commission to update the plans. Garver is also working with Glen Dabney, of Kingwood Forestry, on an obstruction survey showing anything that would obstruct a future approach to the airport. The survey will be a part of the airport layout plan, Ryburn said.
"We're working toward improving our airport to accommodate future needs," Ryburn said. "I believe, if the Southeast Arkansas Intermodal Facility attracts multiple tenants, as expected, it will add pressure on our airport to handle larger aircraft and more flights."
Ryburn said the airport can accommodate a 17,000-pound aircraft (12 to 15 passengers). "Our objective is to get to 30,000-pounds," he said.
Five airport commissioners, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, oversee airport operations. The airport commissioners are Zach McClendon, Richard Reinhart, John Porter Price, Charles Savage, and Ryburn. The airport is managed by James Barnett.
The Monticello Municipal Airport is the only Level 4 airport in Arkansas south of Pine Bluff and east of Camden. Level 4 airports include those in Pine Bluff, North Little Rock, Springdale, Russellville, Mountain Home, Batesville, Walnut Ridge, Newport, Searcy, Camden, Mena, Saline County, Stuttgart, Helena-West Helena and Monticello. Eleven of the state's 91 airports are Level 5 airports, the highest designation an airport can achieve.
To receive the Level 4 designation, an airport must have a primary runway that is 5,500 feet long by 100 feet wide supported by a full parallel taxiway; an LPV (lateral precision with vertical guidance) approach supported by medium intensity runway lighting and an approach lighting system; onsite weather reporting capabilities; pavement strength of 30,000 pounds of dual wheel; hangars for 80 percent of all based aircraft and an apron for all remaining aircraft and 25 percent of daily transient aircraft; 5,000 square-feet of public use space with telephones, restrooms and pilot and conference space; Jet A and 100 LL fuel and self service facilities; full service FBO and aircraft maintenance facilities; access to rental cars; and an emergency response plan.
Eleven of the 91 airports in the state have achieved the Level 5 designation.>
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