Commission approves UND Aerospace permit amendment for Gorman Field, conditions FAA compliance

The Grand Forks County Commission on Aug. 5 approved an amendment to the UND Aerospace Foundation’s special-use permit for Gorman Field, allowing conversion of a grass operations area to a paved surface and construction of two small support buildings, contingent on compliance with applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations and notification to the FAA. The motion passed after extensive public comment and debate about airspace, community notification and federal reviews. "This is an application for an airport," said Todd Leek, a local pilot and UND alumnus, during public comment, noting UND's written request for a 2,500-foot by 50-foot paved runway in a Feb. 19, 2025 letter. Chuck Pino, identified in the meeting as owner of the site and representing Community Aerospace Foundation, told the commission, "It is not an airport," and said the Foundation had obtained letters of support from relevant state and federal test-site partners and coordination on radar frequencies.

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