Airport upgrades scheduled for 2008 could start sooner

Two projects that would improve equipment and operations at Fort Scott Municipal Airport could begin as soon as this summer, airport officials said.

Although not scheduled to begin until 2008, the two local improvement projects, made possible by the Kansas Department of Transportation, may get under way this summer if all preliminary plans for the projects go smoothly, airport manager Kenny Howard said.

The purpose of one of the projects is to replace the aging beacon signal light at the airport, while another will add upgrades to the airport's automated weather information system.

KDOT officials said the agency's airport improvement program is a vital part of contributing to the state's economy.

"This program has made major improvements to Kansas aviation," KDOT Secretary Deb Miller said in a statement. "It has contributed significantly to the health and economic well-being of Kansas and the many communities that have received grants."

The two local projects are included among 24 other projects in 21 Kansas cities and counties to enhance safety and service measures at airports statewide through what is called the KDOT Airport Improvement Program.

Airport officials received a $33,000 matching grant through this program to fund the projects, Howard said. The state will pay 75 percent of the cost while the City of Fort Scott will pay 25 percent, he said.

An upgraded weather information system -- officials plan to add onto the existing automated system -- will provide more weather updates for pilots taking off and landing at the airport, Howard said.

"It's a new addition that will let pilots know what they're flying into," he said. "Right now, they can get it (that information) from the Web site, but the more information they have, the better."

The old, well-used beacon signal light at the airport needs to be replaced so pilots can have a better view of the airport's runway and landing area, Howard said.

"The beacon is worn out," he said. "We'll replace it, so there will be less maintenance on it and so pilots can see better."

All of the KDOT projects will address maintenance, geometric improvement, facility and equipment needs at non-primary public use airports across the state. These airports are classified as having less than 10,000 passenger boardings a year, a KDOT statement said.

While he did not have recent annual flight statistics available for the Fort Scott airport, Howard said airport officials are in the process of completing a study with the Federal Aviation Administration and should have those figures available soon.

Other Fort Scott Municipal Airport projects appear to be on the horizon. During its Feb. 6 meeting, the Fort Scott City Commission approved a list of various other improvement projects that was sent to the FAA earlier this month, according to minutes from that meeting.

Recognizing the importance of air service to the Kansas economy and emergency health care services, KDOT established the KAIP in 1999 with funding authorized as part of the state's $13-billion Comprehensive Transportation Program, the KDOT statement said.

"This is a program designed to stretch state dollars by requiring participation from local communities," Miller said. "Including this year's projects, which will be for fiscal year 2008, KDOT has provided approximately $27 million to help fund more than 200 projects."

Under program guidelines, project sponsors are required to pay a minimum of 10 percent of the total project costs, or a maximum of 50 percent of the total project cost based on population.

Before passage of the CTP, Kansas was the only state in the country that didn't provide state funding for airport improvements. The areas of commerce, air ambulance service, agriculture and law enforcement have been key beneficiaries of the KAIP, the statement said.