- April 19, 2024
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Plan would make airport business-friendly.
Wayne Grant
News Editor
Ormond Beach Municipal Airport seems destined for changes in the next 20 years, as the Airport Master Plan has taken another step toward official approval. The second public hearing was held Aug. 24 with a roomful of citizens at City Hall listening to the alternatives and providing input. The goal of the plan is to attract business aviation, in order to spur area economic development.
The next step will be a City Commission workshop with the Aviation Advisory Board on Oct. 6. It will be a public meeting, but comments are not normally accepted at workshops. The plan will be formally adopted at a City Commission meeting in November, where comment will be possible.
The Master Plan is important, explained Evan McDougal, of Hoyle, Tanner and Associates Inc., because the FFA and FDOT will not provide funding for any airport project unless it is part of an official plan. Hoyle Tanner has a contract with the city to prepare the plan.
Funding is important for airport projects. For example, in 2013, the Taxiway Alpha project cost $2.2 million, but after FAA and FDOT grants, the city only paid $41,000.
FDOT provides more funding for airports than roads, McDougal said, because of the investment value for the state.
Longer runway proposed
A major proposed project in the Master Plan is the extension of the east-west runway to 5,004 feet. This runway is the most used, because of the prevailing wind direction.
A longer runway would not mean larger planes would be landing at the airport, McDougal said. It will still only accommodate Class B aircraft, the same that use the airport now. Examples are the Beechcraft Baron B58 and the Cessna Citation 550.
McDougal explained that the FAA is only likely to approve projects to accommodate larger aircraft if a present need can be shown.
Longer runways will allow the aircraft to fly with a full-tank of fuel and full load of passengers, which will attract more business fliers, McDougal said.
Other items in the plan include a larger parking area for guest aircraft, some type of accommodation with amenities for travelers, and developing the “quads,” which are the areas surrounding the runways. Development proposals call for nonaviation businesses in some areas and additional paving so hangars can be built in other areas.
Several speakers from the audience said a business aviation friendly airport is essential for attracting businesses.
Noise reduction
At the previous public hearing, there were comments from the audience concerning noise over the surrounding neighborhoods, but no one spoke at this meeting.
However, officials made comments that indicated the improvements would make for a quieter airport.
McDougal said planes from an extended east-west runway will be at cruising altitude when they pass over houses, rather than climbing or descending.
Airport Manager Steven Lichliter agreed, saying, “An airplane is never noisier than when it’s climbing.”
McDougal also said having more business fliers and fewer students would reduce noise.
“The businessman leaves in the morning and comes back at night,” he said. “We need more business aircraft and less training, if you don’t like all that buzzing around.”
