Aviation View Magazine | Volume 1, Issue 4

124 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 currently no more space for private owners and for private hangars at the airport. Also on the horizon, in 2024, Watertown Regional has plans to utilize capital improvement funds for building a taxiway for Ag operations including a new area for the Ag sprayers; this is being done so the airport can service more of the sprayers. While many of COVID-19’s economic problems have been overcome, the next issue for the airport is fuel prices and supply. According to Syhre, “It’s a challenge for the FBO to even get fuel, currently they are ordering twice a week, and they’re taking deliveries as they come.” The supply chain issue has meant that the airport has added an additional 20,000 gallons of storage for jet A. This new capacity means that the Watertown Regional Airport can service many more aircraft. In total, the fuel farm can accommodate 32,000 gallons of Jet A fuel onsite. As the ‘Gateway to Watertown’, the airport has a great working relationship with Watertown off the field for the City of Watertown and the surrounding region. In addition, the South Dakota National Guard has a military shooting range at the airport. Watertown Regional Airport is in a constant state of infrastructure change and improvements with help from Gray Construction Co. and J&J Earthworks. One of the major new projects kicking off soon is the construction of the new Snow Removal Equipment (SRE) building, which will house vital snow equipment and other maintenance gear that keeps the airport secure and safe. “We’re expecting this project to be completed in 420 days, with the completion date estimated to be in October 2022,” says Syhre. As with all regional airports across the U.S., there is a need for more hangar space – something which has been included in the construction of the SRE building. A stub is also included with this expansion plan that will provide space for more private hangars to be developed, as there is IT’S AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES IT’S IN-DEMAND SKILLS IT’S EPIC CAREERS It is you. Watertown, SD lakeareatech.edu MAKE YOUR STORY EPIC 99% 31 JOB PLACEMENT CAREER PROGRAMS