Board hears operations updates: Saint George taxiway work, AWOS timeline and an independent soils-test proposal

Board members heard operational updates covering three items: upcoming taxiway reconstruction at Saint George that may change traffic patterns and require pilots to use prior-permission requests (PPRs); an automated weather-observing-system (AWOS) equipment arrival expected in January–February; and a proposed independent soils-testing effort at Hurricane to gather new geotechnical data.

Staff explained that Saint George plans to excavate sections of taxiway and runway and that work could require pilots to obtain PPRs and reduce pattern activity there, which in turn may increase training and other flights at Hurricane. AWOS equipment is on order and staff said they expect installation window activity in January–February once the equipment arrives and frequencies and licenses are finalized.

A board member described a coalition of geotechnical firms willing to perform an independent soils test at no or reduced cost and asked for city-council approval and coordination with airport staff and the FAA. The proposed testing would drill test holes halfway between specific hangar rows and deliver independent soil-depth data to inform future engineering and permit review. Board members agreed to place the soils-test discussion on a future agenda and coordinate approvals for access and FAA notification, as appropriate.