Airshow grounded due to loss of money

Loretta George/Tribune photo Members of the Fort Scott Airport Advisory Board discuss ideas for generating money for future airshows at the airport. The show was canceled this year because the project was a money-loser last year, board members said. Pictured from left are: Kenny Howard, Greg Post, Ken Lyons, Jon Garrison and Jim Gladbach.

Because the Fort Scott Airport lost money from last year's airshow, the Airport Advisory Board voted during its April 4 meeting to not hold the event this year.

On Thursday, board members discussed the event, and stated that the airport lost $2,600 from the show last year and the city made up for the loss by paying expenses from the city budget.

The board hasn't given up on the possibility of holding the show in future years.

"We've got a good thing from aviators and it was great entertainment," Board member Jim Gladbach said.

He suggested that instead of allowing free admission, attendees be asked to give a freewill offering.

Airport manager Kenny Howard suggested charging for vendor space or a food cook-off contest to offset the expenses.

One of the factors in the loss of revenue was not doing enough fundraising sooner, according to board member Ken Lyon said.

"Fundraising needed to begin directly after the airshow," he said.

Another issue for Fort Scott and other communities that have hosted airshows is the cost of airplane fuel. Kansas City, Mo., canceled its airshow this year, too, according Gladbach.

Because there was no quorum at Thursday's meeting, board members did not make any decisions.

The board also:

* Learned the office and flight school business building is remodeled and a lease agreement is in process with Derrick Miers of Miers Worldwide Aviation. Miers is the mechanic on field.

* Learned that lightning this spring produced about 20 holes on the north end of the runway. Additionally the lights on the west side of the runway were struck by the lightning and were out for a while, Howard said.

* Heard that airport staff is checking the runway daily for asphalt buckles because of the extreme heat.

* Discussed a proposal for a new 10-unit hangar at an estimated cost of $400,000 from Howard. The board questioned the need for the larger hangar.

* Considered raising the current hangar rent. Howard told the board he has gotten comparisons from other airports.

* Will look at the possibility of finding another consultant, because Lochner Inc., Kansas City, Mo. has not been returning calls to Howard.

* Noted the airport receives $120,000 per year for three years from the Federal Aviation Administration's Non-Primary Entitlement Programs for airport improvement from fuel sales nationwide.

* Heard that airport traffic is down and "90 percent is coming from out of town people doing business here in Fort Scott," Howard said.

* Board chairman Greg Post told the group, "Kenny's been doing an outstanding job."

Also attending the meeting were Lucas Cosens, city commission member, Jon Garrison, the city's finance director and Chris Comstock, administrative secretary for the city.

Absent from the meeting were board members Shawn Goans, Tim Emerson and Dallas Smith. There is one position yet to be filled for the seven man board, according to Comstock.

The next airport advisory board meeting will be noon Thursday, Sept. 26, at city hall.