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DeLand Airport wins FAA apron grant, advances taxiway and T‑hangar upgrades as operations surge
Summary
Airport manager reported a $2.3 million FAA grant to rehab the west apron, announced a $300,000 airfield‑restripe grant, and outlined an 18‑month airport master plan, taxiway lighting design and T‑hangar electrical upgrades amid rising flight operations and state legislation limiting landing fees.
Airport Manager John Iff presented the municipal airport budget and capital program at the City of DeLand budget workshop, reporting a major FAA grant award and several projects to accommodate rising operations.
The airport received roughly $2.3 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to rehabilitate the west apron (the former closed runway area) and add 29 aircraft tie‑down spaces and LED taxiway lighting. The airport also secured a roughly $300,000 grant to restripe airfield markings; Mr. Iff said the restripe work will begin soon.
Why it matters: DeLand's airport operations have risen sharply over the past decade (Iff said operations rose from roughly 80,000 to about 130,000 annually). Hangars and tie‑downs are largely at capacity; the airport is advancing a master plan and layout plan to add taxiway access, additional hangars and apron space to serve demand.
Key details - Grants and projects: $2.3M FAA grant for West Apron rehabilitation (asphalt, LED taxi lighting, 29 tie‑downs); design underway for taxiway E lighting and signs; T‑hangar electrical improvements (upgrading to 200‑amp service) for older hangar groups. - Master plan: Airport master plan/airport layout plan is in progress and estimated to take about 18 months; the plan will support future hanger and apron development and road/taxilane access to new hangars. - Capacity and operations: Manager John Iff said DeLand’s operations are about 130,000 per year and that hangars are full with waiting lists; he reported long-term demand for aircraft parking and hangar development. - Deferred runway work and funding constraints: Mr. Iff said a runway rehabilitation (Runway 5/23) has been pushed back twice due to limited FAA funding availability. - Legislative risks to fees: Mr. Iff described recent state legislative activity (Florida Senate Bill 642) and federal proposals that limit how airports can assess landing fees or rely on ADS‑B tracking for billing; he said about 70% of the airport's traffic is from flight schools and that restrictions on fees could reduce local revenue options and present compliance risks under FAA grant assurances.
Commission response and next steps Commissioners congratulated staff on grant awards. Mr. Iff said the airport will proceed with design and construction on funded projects, continue the master planning process and pursue additional FAA or state grant opportunities for the taxiway and runway work.
Ending The airport will execute the awarded airfield projects, continue master‑planning work and monitor grant and legislative developments that affect airport revenue options.
