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County discusses AWOS installation and loss of shared system that affects approaches at airport
Summary
Commissioners heard that the automated weather observing system (AWOS) is mechanically installed but awaits distributor programming; a shared system previously supported by Marion Airport will be discontinued, affecting approach procedures for multiple counties and prompting a need for tree trimming to restore some approaches.
At the May 29 session, a county airport representative updated the Morrow County Board of Commissioners on the status of a new AWOS (Automated Weather Observing System) installation. The speaker said the mechanical components are installed, and the county awaits the AWOS distributor to program the FAA-approved frequency before the system is commissioned.
The representative reported a development involving Marion Airport, which will no longer provide a shared system that several counties had used. That change requires the six counties that relied on Marion’s service to transition to independent AWOS operations. As a result, some instrument approach procedures previously available may no longer be authorized until local conditions and equipment meet FAA requirements.
The speaker said restoring certain approach designations will require trimming or removing trees and completing remaining technical programming steps with the distributor. County staff said they will assess steps and timelines and provide updates once the FAA and the distributor complete required approvals.
The board did not take a formal vote on airport operations during the meeting; commissioners thanked the airport representative and noted staff will provide additional details as they become available.
