Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Regional Airport has a new manager, and there’s discussion of an air show in the fall. The Alva Airport Commission barely had a quorum of three members for the Monday night meeting. Present were Dale Logsdon, Terry Turner and Paul Kinzie. Absent were Kelly Parker and Caleb Mosburg.

City Business Manager Joe Don Dunham reported the city is getting ready to start on the budget process for next year. Requests for quotes on engineering services for the airport were finalized and sent out to several engineering firms in Oklahoma. Quotes are to be opened on March 5 and evaluated before the March airport meeting. The FAA requires airports to seek quotes to choose an engineering firm every five years.

The city is advertising for part-time employees at the airport but no applications had been received. Turner suggested the one year experience requirement might be a problem as few people have experience working at airports. Dunham said the experience requirement is just as general labor, not airport related.

Manager’s Report

Greg Robinson, who has been working part-time at the airport, gave the manager’s report.

Fuel sales have been down due to unsuitable flying weather. He said 2,173 gallons of 100 low lead fuel were sold and 593 gallons of Jet A during January. Total sales, including $90 overnight hangar fees, were $12,473.74 for the month.

The airport has been waiting for Double Check of Woodward to work on the fuel system after an inspection noted some problems. However, that company continues to be too busy. Robinson said he’s looking into some other companies who might be able to do the work quicker.

The repaired lighted wind sock has been set up. The company believes the free windsock from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission was too heavy for the wire hoop frame when stressed by strong winds. The airport purchased a lighter weight windsock, and Robinson said the light shines through it better.

Since being caught by surprise on some inspections, Robinson said he’s working to set up a spreadsheet to track when required inspections are due.

With spring approaching, Robinson said he’s going to get the mowers serviced to be ready for the grass.

After having someone call to check on the weight limit of the Alva runway, Robinson learned that Alva is the only one of the 26 Oklahoma regional airports that does not have runway weight limits listed online. He’s contacting engineers to check on the limit and will pursue getting it posted.

Robinson said two NOTAMs (notice to air men) had been issued for the airport. One was due to the malfunctioning lights on one end of the runway. The other was for a four hour period when there was ice on the runway.

Robinson also asked for clarification on spending limits for the airport manager. Although most city department heads have a higher limit, the airport commission changed that to $1,000 for their department. Robinson said when something involving maintenance or safety issues comes up, it would be helpful to have a higher limit. Otherwise, the manager must wait for a monthly meeting to approve the expenditure.

Turner said he believed it was implied the limit did not apply to safety of flight issues. Dunham said the limit applies to all purchases except fuel purchases, insurance, utilities, payroll, etc. There was no exception for safety issues. The commission intends to consider clarifying the limits at a future meeting.

Air Show Plans

April Mills from Vantage Plane Plastics spoke to the commission about tentative plans for an air show. She said about $4,500 was left from last year’s event.

As evidenced by the storm that put a damper on Friday night events, Mills said June isn’t a good time to have an air show. Last year’s show was timed to coincide with the Air Classic Race which chose Alva for one of their stops.

Mills said they’re thinking the last of September or first of October for the show. “I’ve had a lot of people ask,” she said. If the show is held, it will be scaled down. She said it would include a fly-in, games and a scavenger hunt. However, there would be no stunt pilots.

Mills said the Young Eagles program from Shawnee is willing to come again. They were impressed with the number of youngsters who participated last year.

Board members and Robinson all indicated their support for an air show which would help promote the airport.

Light Repairs

Electrical work and parts needed to repair lighting at one end of the runway will cost $3,454.31 according to a quote from Libra Electric Company of Oklahoma City. The work will include two REIL control PCB boards, base plate and O.A.L. coupling, a 200-watt transformer for the sign, new antenna and cable, repair of ground cable, and a new sign panel.

Dunham said the airport budget property maintenance currently has a budget balance of $22,458 so the repairs will be covered. Turner made a motion to approve the project, seconded by Kinzie, and approved by unanimous vote.

New Manager

A short executive session was held to replace Tyson Tucker as airport manager. Following return to open session, Kinzie made a motion to hire Greg Robinson as manager, seconded by Turner. All voted in favor. Robinson has been a part time employee at the airport for much of Tucker’s time as manager.