Airport projects coming in phases

Sebring Regional Airport Executive Director Mike Willingham expects the next five years to be busier than the last 15.

There are several projects planned that are either nearing the construction phase, awaiting design or ready to go for permitting.

And while the bad economy hasn't helped, a tentative work program report from the Florida Department of Transportation shows there are several large grants the airport is waiting on.

Fuel Farm project

The airport is awaiting $240,000 in grant money from FDOT for its new $700,000 Fuel Farm Project that has already been completed.

These are funds the airport already expended that will be reimbursed.

The fuel farm holds 10,000 gallons of Jet A, 10,000 gallons of aviation (AV) gas, and 1,000 automotive (MO) gas - unleaded premium without ethanol.

Sebring Regional Airport is the only U.S. airport to encompass both a Foreign Trade Zone and a Community Redevelopment Agency.

As a designated Foreign Trade Zone, the airport offers exemption from some fuel taxes, resulting in savings of up to 50 cents per gallon, according to the airport's Web site.

Acquiring 1,000 acres

The airport authority is awaiting $750,000 from FDOT for acquiring land for future use.

"The ultimate plan is to protect the airport from incompatible land use, such as housing," said Willingham. "That's one of the big dangers airports face around the country."

They hope to minimize complaints from the public as well as address safety issue.

"We want to be proactive and not let that happen," he said.

The land being looked at is on the north and northeastern end of the airport, but they may be some properties on the west side of the airport, as well.

Security fencing

Security fencing Phase II to protect its airfields is an important project for the airport.

It will make it more difficult for unauthorized people and for wildlife to have access to the runways.

"It will be a significant safety enhancement," said Willingham.

From time to time, the airport has had to bring in hunters with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to perform "night shine" hunts to shoot wildlife that have strayed onto the property to feed.

"We'll be at our (design and engineering phase) and will go out to bid sometime in June or July," he said.

The airport may have to wait until 2013 or 2014 to get about $1 million in grant funds for this project, according to the work program report.

Runway lengthening

Runway 18/36 has an asphalt surface 150 feet wide by 5,190 feet long and it is lighted. The plan is to extend the runway to 7,000 feet to accommodate larger private aircraft now and perhaps, regional commercial air service in the future.