Aviation View | Volume 2, Issue 1

165 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 2, ISSUE 1 select few Nebraska airports to receive 4.5 million dollars in federal grants, through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airport Improvement Program (AIP). While the project was a success, there are still plans for even more exciting work to be completed at the airfield. Jack Johnston, Airport Manager at Thomas County Airport, reports, “We wanted to lengthen the runway by 600 feet to get a total of 5,000 feet, but this wasn’t possible. This being said, we’ve been able to get teacup handle turnarounds. The new turnaround allows aircraft to maneuver without having to get into and get back out of the old cramped hammerheads. While a mild inconvenience for some aircraft, for jet planes that small 60 x 60 foot space with 25 foot taxiway was very tight. By simply adding these new teacup handle turnarounds, there’s no hassle for the jets and turboprops to turnaround – making it far more efficient.” Another completed renovation that’s helped to streamline efficiencies on the airfield is the widening of the old taxiway for larger planes, which had to taxi down a narrow taxiway carefully to keep out of the sand. This expansion took the taxiway from 25 feet to 35 feet, which now allows for better maneuverability for aircraft of all sizes. In addition, the ramp at the airport was very small, but after providing some photographic evidence, Johnston was able to convince the FAA that they needed more space. One project the airport has undertaken without Government funding is upgrading the fuel island. In the past, some jet-powered aircraft would land discharge there passengers then go to another airport for fuel, now with the availabilty of JetA+ Fuel, pilots can land and refuel with self-serve credit card pumps. With the airport being 65 miles away from any other airport with a 4,400 ft or longer lighted runway, this addition of fuel has attracted new clientele to the airport. “The airport is not manned so we have installed 12 security cameras so we can see who comes THOMAS COUNTY A I RPORT Grinding up the old asphalt runway TCA’s courtesy Ford van and two rental Suburbans. For Suburban rental call Jay Jones at 308-539-5800