Aviation View | April 2021

50 AVIATION VIEW APRIL 2021 with a donation and really wanted us to have the capability on site. CTL Engineering did all the necessary paperwork for us to acquire the needed permits, as well. We also offer a large heated corporate hangar, if needed. It has already proven to attract new faces, aircraft, pilots, etc. Coupled with our long 6000’ x 150’ foot fully grooved runway, we have a winning combination. Our snow removal equipment capability is essential to keep the airport open in the worst winter conditions. Federal funding from the FAA and the State of Ohio has gone a long way in helping us acquire new modern equipment. We now have a new 2019 Freightliner Dump/ plow truck with a 15’ wide Gledhill plow & blade assembly used mainly on the runway and taxiways. It is still exciting to use. We can clear the runway in 20-25 minutes assuming accumulation is not too heavy. We also have a New Holland bi-directional tractor ordered with a Degelman Speedblade and a Schulte’s SDX-117 Snow Blower. A MB Industries 16’ wide snow broom is used to remove snow, slush, ice, and FOD with its combination of metal and plastic bristle brushes. We also have one older plow truck (donated), snow shovels, small blowers, and a smaller Boss V-plow. The Allen Co. Engineers Office & the Allen Co. Fairgrounds have always been a big help to the airport by donating old, retired highway plow trucks and other pieces of equipment. We take a lot of pride in keeping good relations with all the other local agencies in Allen County. In the past few months, we’ve been adding more hangar tenants – older and younger pilots. I think people are at a comfortable point in their lives, where they are willing to spend some money again and enjoy the aviation type of lifestyle. Word is getting around that the airport has 24- hour terminal lobby access, free high-speed Wi- Fi, we are here seven days a week, the runway is always plowed, etc. We treat all our customers the same and I’m very proud knowing my tenants and customers will return, again and again. We offer full-service fueling and have been looking into adding a self-serve fueling station for the aviator who lands after hours. Self-serve