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Board waives fuel flowage fees for Commemorative Air Force B‑29 visit, asks staff for post‑event impact report
Summary
Elkhart City's aviation board voted to waive fuel flowage fees for a July visit by the Commemorative Air Force’s B‑29 and other vintage aircraft, noting the waiver is consistent with past support for aviation events; a board member requested Andy provide a financial-impact report after the event.
The Elkhart City Board of Aviation Commissioners voted June 24 to waive fuel flowage fees for an Indiana Flight Center‑hosted Commemorative Air Force "Air Power History Tour" stop scheduled July 20–27, which will include the B‑29 "FIFI" and other vintage aircraft.
Staff explained the airport recently adjusted flowage rates (FBOs to 9¢ per gallon; corporate operators to 20¢ per gallon) and that the board has historically waived the fee for aviation‑promoting events such as Young Eagles or airshows. The board discussed likely fuel use in short demonstration rides and arrivals, with members calling the waived amounts modest but acknowledging they can add up when multiple flights occur.
A board member asked staff to provide a post‑event accounting of the waived fees and related revenues so the board has data for future decisions. "If you could give us a report afterwards as to the financial impact so we know what in the future we have a ballpark idea of the implication," a member said; staff agreed to prepare that report.
The motion to waive the airport fuel flowage fee for the event was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.
The waiver covers only the fuel flowage fee portion for aircraft participating in the event; Indiana Flight Center will also reduce ramp fees and has agreed to other event supports. Staff noted IFC is a for‑profit operator that is hosting the event and that the B‑29 rides (when offered) command fees (staff cited an example figure of about $750 for a B‑29 ride), which are retained by the operator.
The board did not quantify a precise dollar loss from the waiver at the time of the vote but estimated fuel use conservatively (discussants suggested roughly 1,500–2,000 gallons as a possible midrange during the event), and requested post‑event figures.
