Aviation View | Volume 2, Issue 2

45 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 YAK IMA A I R TERMINAL -MCALL I STER F I ELD “We just wrapped up an ARFF (Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting) procurement project which began in 2020,” says Vera. “We purchased a new Striker from Oshkosh Airport Products which became our primary response vehicle, making our 2005 striker vehicle our secondary response and back up – which also means we are now in the process of auctioning off our 1987 Oshkosh T-1500. This is a huge improvement for the airport.” Two other major projects are beginning to fall into place at the airport. One is the creation of a taxi-lane Charlie stub. YKM is in the process of design and engineering, having completed an environmental study last year. This project will create a new area on the south side of the airport for commercial aeronautical development. Construction on this is scheduled to start in 2023. He adds, “We continue to find ways to continue to build new infrastructure to attract new businesses and keep up with the growing demand in hangar development. That is part of why the south taxi-lane stub is so important. It is going to open up new areas of development for businesses to come in and build new hangars.” Secondly, the environmental study is now complete for a reconstruction of the terminal building. “We are now engaged in a concept study,” Vera explains. “We know that we need to replace our terminal building but want to ensure we build a new terminal that will accommodate future growth, and to prepare for that, a concept study is being done to help us identify alternate layouts and funding opportunities. Our current terminal was built in the 1950s and has been added onto throughout the years, and due to its old infrastructure, it’s been a challenge to maintain and upkeep to current federal and state standards. We are hopeful to receive funding through the Terminal Program under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to help fund the construction of the new terminal building in the near future.” The airport’s five-year plan is to work hard and lay down the infrastructure that will take them forward. Vera explains, “Soon we will begin construction on our new east GA apron and finalize the design and engineering for our south Charlie taxi-lane stub. We have also started our terminal’s building concept design study. In 2023 we plan to construct the new south taxi-lane Charlie and finalize the terminal’s concept study.” In 2024, the airport will begin efforts in acquiring two high speed runway plows and start the design and engineering for