Butler County Airport Authority looks to extend runway
The Butler County Airport Authority wants to extend the airport runway and add a second fueling station to better accommodate corporate jets.
“We want to keep growing,” said Butler County Airport manager Ivan Longdon. The projects are part of the airport's 20-year master plan. “With this plan in place it allows us to look for federal funding.”
It would be at least five years before any construction would begin, he said.
The airport authority recently concluded a series of public meetings to gather residents' and business owners' opinions and suggestions for improvements at the airport.
The plan, which also calls for additional hangar space as needed, must be approved by the airport authority board, the state Bureau of Aviation and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Butler County Commissioner A. Dale Pinkerton, who represents commissioners on the airport authority board, said that he supported the expansion idea, although it was unclear how much the expansion could cost.
He said that state and federal money could help pay for any expansion, and the county also hoped it could use money from Marcellus shale drilling fees to help pay for it, to avoid using money from the county's general fund.
Longdon said they would like to extend the 4,801-foot runway by another 700 feet. In 2005, the airport authority added 500 feet to the runway.
The extension would allow aircraft to take off with a full load of fuel, he said.
“(Right now) they have to get light enough to get off the runway and then they go a short way and fuel up again,” Longdon said.
Pinkerton said the expansion wouldn't mean the airport would be overrun with traffic.
“It's not like it'll be an airport where big planes will be coming in,” Pinkerton said.
Also included in the plan is adding a fueling station to the south side of the airport to improve safety and convenience for aircraft, he said.
Longdon said most aircraft are housed on the south side of the runway and aircraft are fueled on the opposite side. “This creates some traffic conflicts and safety issues because tenants have to cross the runway to get fuel,” he said.
Ken Raybuck, executive director of the Butler County Community Development Corp., said there's demand for an expanded airport.
“I think it's a great plan, it's at the right time and we're seeing a lot of growth in the area,” he said. “The area around Cranberry Township and Mars is expanding and we're seeing folks now who are connected with the Marcellus shale industry who use jets to come into the area.”
Jodi Weigand is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4702 or jweigand@tribweb.com. Staff writer Bill Vidonic contributed to this report. He can be reached at 412-380-5621 or bvidonic@tribweb.com.
