Clovis airport director reports ILS/DME upgrade, new fuel tanks, terminal apron work; minutes approved

At a meeting of the Clovis Civil Aviation Board, Airport Director Chris Marshall told the board the Federal Aviation Administration is replacing the Runway 04 localizer shaft and adding distance measuring equipment (DME) to the ILS, and he provided updates on fuel storage, terminal construction and recent aviation-safety equipment repairs.

The work on the localizer includes replacing a portable building sited next to the localizer and installing a DME that "will provide mileage or distance measuring equipment, from the navigational aid," Marshall said. He told the board the project is effectively underway and the project manager expects it finished by Oct. 24, with a conservative contract date shown as Oct. 31.

The upgrades matter because, Marshall said, "Currently, the 04 ILS approaches will not be available but we do have other approaches such as the 4 R Nav which it mimics the localizer correction ILS approach." He added the FAA and Denver (FAA/Denver center) have indicated no concerns about the ILS being out of service for that interval.

Marshall also described a utility pipeline project and an airport fuel-storage upgrade. A utility contractor will place an 8-inch pipeline parallel to the airport fence along East 20th Street; utility locates will occur before construction and the company expects on‑site construction between Nov. 30 and July (dates given by the contractor), Marshall said.

On fuel storage, Marshall said the airport has contracted Innovative Fuels of Amarillo and that the work will add two tanks holding 10,000 gallons each. "Both tanks will hold 10,000 gallons each," he said. He explained the new tanks replace an existing 10,000‑gallon and an 8,000‑gallon tank; the project will not dramatically increase overall capacity but will add roughly 2,000 gallons of fuel capacity for the airport and will be double-walled to meet EPA standards for New Mexico. Innovative Fuels expects to arrive mid‑January to install the tanks; the on‑site work is expected to last about four days, and the airport has a contingency plan to operate with two 5,000‑gallon trucks during that interval.

Marshall reported other ongoing projects and repairs: terminal construction is continuing and contractor work on the apron tie‑in to Taxiway Bravo will take that portion of Bravo out of service from about October through March; the overall terminal project is expected to be completed in April 2026. The automated weather observing system (AWOS) has had no outages for 90 days after a new UPS install; the battery backup now provides about 12 hours of runtime. The PAPI lights for runway 12/30 were returned to service after the transformer was replaced; the airfield lighting generator has been repaired and performs a monthly self test.

Marshall gave fuel‑sales figures for September: total fuel‑sales revenue for the month was reported as about $1.1 million; Avgas sales were reported at $25,000 (about 4,400 gallons), Jet A general aviation sales about $32,000 (about 7,400 gallons), and 2,500 gallons issued to Key Lime valued at about $43,000. He noted a drop in fuel sales from August to September and said staff will investigate the cause.

On staffing and operations, Marshall said the airport is operating at roughly 60% staffing because two positions are open; those vacancies are posted and hires are expected in the coming weeks. He also said the airport will modify a 1998 tanker truck to add a Scully anti‑overflow system while the tank work is underway.

Board members were told Wings and Wheels will be canceled this year because terminal construction narrows entry points and creates parking constraints; Marshall encouraged board members to visit the terminal site where interior walls and exterior walls are rising.

Marshall and other staff also reported a perimeter fence that was damaged by a neighboring farm has been temporarily repaired; it remains secure to vehicles and people though wildlife exclusion is reduced until permanent repairs are completed.

Marshall relayed a federal funding risk tied to a government shutdown: staff said they received notice from the FAA/US DOT that a shutdown without a budget resolution by Oct. 12 could affect the Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidy that helps fund Denver Air Connection flights. Justin, airport staff, said Denver Air Connection told the airport it would continue service to Clovis "and so we shouldn't have any interrupted service," adding Denver Air would operate at its own financial risk if federal subsidies were delayed.

In other business the board approved the minutes of the July 1, 2025 Clovis Civil Aviation Board meeting. The motion to approve the minutes was moved and seconded and the chair called for the ayes; the minutes were approved on voice vote.

The board scheduled its next meeting for Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 and adjourned.