Flagler County Commission Approves Airport Air Traffic Control Tower
Flagler County airport is one of the country’s busiest general aviation airports
Palm Coast, FL – June 18, 2008 – A press release issued yesterday announces the approval for construction of an airport Air Traffic Control tower at Flagler County Airport, located near Palm Coast, FL. Flagler is recognized by the FAA as one of the busiest general aviation airports in the nation, handling about 190,000 take-offs and landings annually (520 daily).
The announcement coincides with the joint effort by local governments, development agencies, and adjacent property owners to spur economic development in the area surrounding the airport.
The move is a significant step approved by the Flagler County Commission on Monday. Funds for the tower will come from a State Department of Transportation grant and proceeds from gasoline sales and leases on the airport property.
The latest step in bringing the project to fruition, was approval of a Florida Department of Transportation, Joint Participation Agreement by the Flagler County Commission on Monday. Under the agreement, DOT will pay for 80 percent of the $3 million project.
The airport is set up as an “enterprise” fund. Which means it is not funded by property tax dollars but out of the profits from leasing property, hangar space, user fees and aviation fuel sales. A total of $600,000 will come out of the enterprise funds to match the $2.4 million state grant.
The addition will greatly enhance the flight safety at the airport and is projected to make the county owned airport more profitable. The tower allows more corporate owned aircraft to move their operations on to the airport. An air traffic control tower is one of the requirements for most corporate aircraft insurers.
“It will greatly increase the value and the use of the airport by the business community,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “It is a huge step forward for the county airport and specifically for economic development in Flagler County.”
“With more corporate operations relocating to the airport fuel sales and rental sales will increase,” Jack Thompson Flagler County Airport Director said. “The additional business will have a direct affect on airport revenue and a trickle down affect on the local economy. Even more important is the addition of an air traffic control tower greatly contributes to flight safety.”
Deputy County Administrator Jim Jarrell, who served as Airport Director before taking over as Deputy Administrator, said the addition of an air traffic control tower at the airport enhances safety. “It compares to the installation of a stop light at a busy four lane intersection,” Jarrell said. “It regulates air traffic, in and around the airport.”
Operation and manning of the air traffic control tower will be paid for by the FAA through the Contract Tower Program once the tower is built.
Thompson said most people are surprised to learn that Flagler County is one of the busiest in the nation for general aviation. The classification does not include airports with commercial service such as Daytona Beach or Orlando. The reason for the high usage is the number of training operations from flight schools in the area and Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach which uses Flagler County to practice landings and take offs.
The project is expected to take less than a year to complete and construction is expected to begin in July 2008. It is scheduled to be open in the spring of 2009.
Which Fat Cat is interested ???
Certainly moves much faster than the Palm Harbor Golf Course Project – Any News about Palm Harbor ???
watchinourbucks
Congratulations on the tower approval !
Would you please loan your administrative staff to the St. Johns County Airport Authority Board ??
THEY can’t make do with $ 4,400,000 in ad valorem taxes.
Perhaps someone could explain to them how first you earn money…save it…and THEN spend it ?