Aviation View | Volume 2, Issue 2

59 AVIATION VIEW VOLUME 2, ISSUE 2 intermittent runway closures during the busiest time of year. On the other hand, it will make it safer, allow for larger business jets, and most importantly, open the airport up to a lot more charter jet flights. “We are not widening or strengthening the runway,” Sachs explains, “We are not trying to displace our current tenants by bringing in commercial service, we are hoping for the same mix of users we currently have, just a few more, who will benefit from the longer runway and bigger safety margin. We have already had some large Challenger and Gulfstream aircraft stop in for fuel and the current runway “just” meets their needs. With 7000 feet, they will not be challenged, and we will seem more accessible to that size clientele.” Upgrading infrastructure to meet current needs is always going to be a part of airport operations. And Sachs has taken this seriously over his tenure. Of note: They recently began using a new airfield de-icer to spread on the runway, which costs upwards of $30,000 a year and helps keep the ice and snow off the runway. They are also in the process of upgrading their ground-based radio systems; where pilots used to have to use a telephone relay system to radio Indianapolis Approach Control, there will soon be a direct INDI ANAPOL I S EXECUT I VE A I RPORT