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Covington County airport board reports $1.5 million FAA taxiway grant, safety work and new charter service
Summary
Jed Blackwell, speaking to the Covington County Commission, said the airport won a $1.5 million Federal Aviation Administration grant to rehab a taxiway and outlined safety and leasing plans including a pending CTAF frequency change and a new charter operator.
Jed Blackwell, identified to the commission as a member of the airport board and the county school board, told Covington County commissioners that the airport has been awarded a $1,500,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to rehabilitate an existing taxiway.
"This is to rehab our existing taxiway," Blackwell said. He told commissioners the airport expects bid openings this Thursday and anticipates starting the project in late July. Blackwell said the county would supply the local match already kept in the airport general fund — he estimated that match at about $75,000.
Why it matters: the airport is one of the county's largest transportation assets and, according to Blackwell, safety and traffic volumes have increased. The project is intended to keep the taxiway serviceable for both military and civilian users and to support continued operations and revenue from fuel sales and leases.
Blackwell outlined other safety and operational items facing the airport. He said the airport is pursuing a change to its common traffic advisory frequency, moving from 122.8 to 119.55, a step the FAA approves in principle but that also requires Federal Communications Commission sign-off. "So we're waiting for approval from them," he said.
The airport will host an exercise involving C-130 aircraft with runway closures and ground operations practiced by Hurlburt Field and Eglin Field units; Blackwell said local agencies, including the sheriff's office, have agreed to assist. He also discussed pursuing a temporary staffed tower arrangement: Fort Novosel could supply controllers if the airport can provide a suitable facility while a new tower is planned and constructed.
Blackwell described steady fuel sales and rising civilian activity: "So, in 02/2024, we're right at 1,300,000 gallons ... so far for our fiscal year ... we're right at about 430,000 this year," he said, then added that daily operations are now about 80 to 90 aircraft. He called the civilian increase "post-COVID" and linked it to runway length, service and price.
On business development, Blackwell said a charter operator, Auburn Charter LLC, has finalized a lease at the airport and expects to offer commuter flights using a King Air C90 for routes including Birmingham, Atlanta and Pensacola. He also said there is interest in a twin-hangar lease that will be discussed at the airport board's next meeting.
Commissioners did not take a formal vote on the airport report; Blackwell closed by thanking the commission for its support and noting that the airport is largely self-sustaining through fuel sales and leases.
Ending: Airport board and county officials plan to return with contractor bid details and additional updates to the commission after the airport board meets and after FAA/FCC steps on the frequency change progress.
