Warren County airport reports solar farm progress, PAPI issues after FAA Part 139 inspection

Warren County Facilities Committee members heard an airport update June 24 that said racking for a new solar farm is installed and panel installation is expected in July, while an FAA Part 139 inspection found problems with two precision approach path indicator (PAPI) units that will require repairs and a follow-up flight check.

The update was significant to county operations because the county expects most of the cost for the re-check to be reimbursed under an existing FAA grant and said airport reserve funds will cover the county's share.

Airport staff reported that racking work for the solar farm is underway on both northern and southern sites and that panel installation is scheduled to begin in July. "Currently, that project is still on schedule," airport staff said. Staff also said there have been no complaints recorded about the solar project.

On the instrument-landing side, staff described the results of a June 4 FAA flight check. One PAPI unit serving Runway 19 was partially obstructed by trees and will need an aiming adjustment; a PAPI unit serving Runway 1 exhibited a manufacturing focus defect and must be replaced. Airport staff said the county will request another FAA flight check after corrective work.

The staff estimate for that follow-up flight check and associated corrective work is "around $14,000," and staff said the expense is 90% reimbursable under the current FAA grant. A committee member noted that the county has money in the airport reserve to cover the remaining 10%.

Staff also reported recent airfield marking work. "We remarked half of the movement area for the airport, and we're expected to complete the other half next year," airport staff said. Committee members praised airport staff for the condition of the field during the annual FAA Part 139 inspection; staff characterized the inspection report as "almost perfect," noting only one wildlife issue that was closed out during the inspection.

Committee members specifically thanked airport personnel Scott and Derek and superintendents Glenn and Rich Toll for their assistance during the inspection.

Less critical items discussed included routine maintenance planning tied to ongoing projects. No formal committee motion or vote on airport capital work was taken at the meeting; staff described next steps as scheduling repairs, replacing the defective PAPI box, and requesting the FAA's re-check.