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Airport director reports Navaids relocation, new beacon, hangar plans and fuel sales
Summary
Randy Fox updated the council on airport projects: Navaids relocation nearing closeout, automated weather and fueling systems installed, plans for three new hangars (approx. $1M each), beacon tower work, runway resurfacing next year, and 204,000 gallons of fuel sold in 2024 (partial year for some services).
Randy Fox, airport director, briefed the council on progress and upcoming projects at the DeKalb County airport, including navigational aid work, new lighting and automation systems, hangar planning and fuel sales trends.
Why it matters: airport upgrades and hangar development affect local economic activity, emergency services and the county’s attractiveness to business aviation.
Key updates Fox reported:
- Navaids relocation and related grant closeout: work is near completion; the FAA has national certification challenges for some marker systems. Fox said the project team will work with the contractor to finalize grant closeout.
- Automated weather service and automated fueling: a modern automated weather receiver was installed; a self‑service fueling system with credit‑card payment was put into service partway through the year. Fox stated the automated fuel system was not active for the full year but that combined fuel sales for 2024 were about 204,000 gallons (169,238 gallons Jet A; 35,000 gallons 100LL; 5,838 self‑service gallons noted separately).
- Beacon and lighting: plans are under way for a new beacon tower that can be lowered for maintenance; pilot‑controlled lighting remains in place.
- Hangars and runway work: the airport is seeking financing alternatives for three new hangars (Fox estimated around $1 million per hangar). The original 5,000‑foot runway resurfacing is scheduled and could close the airport for about 27 days during construction next year.
Fox also reported operational statistics: 744 operations during a recent period (with weather and repairs reducing normal counts) and noted Samaritan’s helicopter and other users operate regularly from the field. He said equipment purchases for winter runway treatment are on order but subject to long lead times.
Ending: The council thanked Fox; members asked for comparative statistics with nearby airports and requested follow up on fuel dispensing capacities and winter operations equipment timing.
