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Airport manager flags gravel, windsock and fuel issues; board discusses dust‑pod options and grant timing
Summary
Airport manager reported moving equipment, preparing windsock relocation and discussing dust‑binding and gravel for Canyon Ferry; wholesale fuel price cited near $4.31 and tank inventory figures were discussed and corrected in the meeting.
Dwight Thompson, the airport manager, told the Broadwater County Airport Board that staff have moved equipment between airport locations and are evaluating placing a second windsock near the north end for improved safety and National Guard use. Thompson said staff have moved cones and a windsock from one airport area to another while managing activity at the nearby Canyon Ferry site.
Thompson explained county staff are discussing bringing binding material to the Canyon Ferry landing area to improve surface cohesion and reduce loose rock. He said contractors suggested a roughly 4‑inch depth of binding material in primary landing areas and that the county could apply for state grant funds to reimburse work done this year on next year’s grant application; he cautioned there is no guarantee of reimbursement.
Marybel (Robert Petch and Associates) clarified that FAA and Montana Aeronautics eligibility is tied to thresholds of operations and aircraft size, not per takeoff payments. She told the board that operations and activity levels influence what types of funding a site is eligible for, rather than direct per‑operation payments.
On fuel, the board discussed wholesale price and tank inventories. Thompson cited a current wholesale price near $4.31 per gallon and reported tank inventory figures; during the meeting a prior value was corrected to 6,700 gallons for last month (the transcript records a correction from an earlier stated 7,700 gallons). The manager said he would provide updated, verifiable fuel tank numbers by the next meeting so the board can make informed pricing decisions.
Board members agreed to collect updated quotes from gravel and dust‑binding vendors (including the dust‑pod vendor previously discussed) before committing county funds; the board noted grant application deadlines with Aeronautics are typically several months away and asked staff to gather numbers in time to inform a future grant application cycle.
Thompson also reported interest from a corporate operator seeking to display a Cessna or Citation at a local fly‑in; staff will relay runway condition details and coordinate logistics if the aircraft come for a visit.
