A few weeks remain until McVille Airport, known officially as Armstrong Aviation, shuts down for as many as three years because of coal mining operations, co-owner Tom Kijowski said. The airport was slated to officially close at the end of September. “For most practical purposes, it’s going to be the end of the month,” Kijowski said. PennDOT, in conjunction with Armstrong Aviation, recently granted the airport $18,750 to improve safety and upgrade facilities. The money will be used for layout configuration for runways, lighting and instrument approach systems. While the airport closes, a strip mining operation for coal will take place. The operation is being conducted by State Industries Co. of Armstrong County. The company will kick in an additional $6,250 toward the renovations. One of the first steps in the reconstruction process will be stripping the airport runway, Kijowski said. Plans call for a 3,000- to 3,200-foot runway, as well as other additions yet to be disclosed at the airport. Kijowski, who owns the airport with his brother, Ted, said the airport will reopen bigger and better in either 2010 or 2011. Kijowski said that almost all of the 60 airplanes that use the facility have been removed from the airport. The airplanes have been transported to other airports in the region, with the hope that they will return in a few years. “That’s just the way it is, that’s the way it’s got to be,” Kijowski said. Kijowski said that Armstrong Aviation’s Flight Training School and the company’s charter service will be relocated and services will continue at Rock Airport in West Deer. Mike Mallory can be reached at mmallory@tribweb.com. Tom Mitchell of the Kittanning Leader Times contributed to this report.

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