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Auburn DeKalb Executive Airport readied for nav‑aid test; board pursuing hangar build‑own‑transfer option
Summary
Airport board representative Randy Fox told the DeKalb County Council the airport will test its navigation aids, the self‑fueling system is operating and the board is pursuing a BOT hangar approach and new marketing name (DBA Auburn DeKalb Executive Airport) to boost revenue and attract business.
Randy Fox, representing the airport board, updated the DeKalb County Council on Nov. 13 about operations at the Auburn DeKalb facility and plans to increase hangar capacity and traffic.
Fox said the airport was scheduled for a flight‑check of its navigation aids that would make the runway fully usable in marginal weather and reduce diversions to other airports. He described a build‑own‑transfer (BOT) approach to add T‑hangar capacity: contractors build and operate the hangars under set specifications, then transfer ownership to the county; that approach is intended to control costs and limit overruns.
On marketing, Fox said the board plans to use a trade name for promotional purposes while retaining the DeKalb County Board of Aviation as its governing body, noting, “the Auburn DeKalb Executive Airport…is more than a place for aircraft.” He also reported the airport pumped 1,816 total operations in October and said the on‑site self‑fueling system is operating regularly, improving convenience for based pilots.
Board members and councilors asked about how many aircraft a new T‑hangar would house (about six spaces was discussed), potential revenue from rentals and landing fees, and the operational constraints created by FAA displaced thresholds at each end of the runway. Fox and others said adding hangar space would increase revenue and better position the airport for future growth.
Next steps: The board plans a marketing rollout after official approval of the DBA and expects to proceed with hangar planning and financing if bids and BOT proposals are satisfactory.
(Reporting: DeKalb County Council meeting, Nov. 13, 2024.)
