Just in time for the August declaration of Aviation and\nAerospace awareness month, more than $142 million in airport infrastructure\nprojects are slated for the next several years as part of the Oklahoma Aeronautics\nCommission\u2019s (OAC) Airport Construction Program (ACP) for fiscal years\n2020-2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As part of the agency\u2019s duties outlined in state statute,\nOAC oversees the development of a statewide system of airports, encourages\naeronautical safety and advancement, and coordinates activities with the\nFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a national airport system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through its ACP, the Commission determines the airport\nprojects that will be constructed at the 104 general aviation airports that are\npart of the state system and how they will be funded. Projects are prioritized\nbased upon safety, preservation, standards and capacity. Oklahoma is a channeling state, which means\nthe Commission determines the airport projects that will be funded with federal\nand state funds through its ACP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ACP is based on anticipated funding levels that are\ndetermined from state and federal allocations for airport development in the\nstate. Although the state has a sizeable\ninvestment in this ACP, $22.8 million over 5 years, it only accounts for 16% of\nthe overall $141 million total. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Aeronautics Director Victor Bird explained the agency\u2019s\nfunding mechanism by saying, \u201cthe Aeronautics Commission does not receive any\nappropriated dollars from the Legislature. \nThe state\u2019s investment in the airport system is funded by the taxes and\nfees paid by aircraft owners and pilots that use Oklahoma\u2019s airports.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seventy-five projects at airports within the state system\nare included in the approved ACP, with the majority involving pavement work of\nsome kind, such as the rehabilitation of a runway or taxiway. The essence of an\nairport is good pavement. There is also\na $1 million statewide effort for the replacement and installation of AWOS (Automated\nWeather Observation Systems) that will improve the safety of each airport by\nproviding pilots with accurate, real-time weather information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Big rock projects are an integral part of the ACP and are\ndefined as a significant upgrade to the capability of a system airport, a high\ncost project that is needed to sustain or improve the capability of an airport.\nExamples of big rock projects are a runway extension, construction of parallel\ntaxiway, runway reconstruction or overlay, major lighting system replacement,\nor other projects typically requiring multi-year and multi-source funding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Such a project scheduled to begin during the next few years\nincludes a $7.5 million project to reconstruct the main runway at Ponca City\nRegional Airport. The Commission\u2019s pavement management program forecasts a\npavement condition index (PCI) rating of less than 65 for the runway with\nseveral spots that have failed beyond repair. The PCI is a numerical index\nbetween 0 and 100 which is used to indicate the general condition of pavement. The airport is used by EagleMed to facilitate\npatient transfers and Phillips 66 uses the airport to provide access for\nexecutives and employees to visit their refinery for inspections and training.\nThe refinery employs over 960 people and is a large economic driver for the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The existing asphalt runway at Guymon Municipal Airport is\nin fair to poor condition and shows signs of distress. This project will ensure that Guymon has a\nsuccessful and growing airport for years to come. The total cost for the project is estimated\nat $2.2 million. Airport data indicates that businesses that use the airport\ninclude Seaboard Foods, PTCI, Bank of Panhandle, City National Bank, Prestige\nFarms, Oak & Associates, County View Mobile Homes, Love\u2019s Travel Stops and\nCountry Stores, and The Kent Companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other notable projects in the ACP are scheduled for both of\nOklahoma\u2019s metro area general aviation reliever airports. Wiley Post in Oklahoma City and Richard Lloyd\nJones Jr in Tulsa are slated at $6.5 million and $6.6 million respectively for\nvarious runway and taxiway upgrades. OAC\nalso plans to invest in several new terminal buildings at airports such as\nLawton Ft. Sill Regional and El Reno Regional. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OAC is also renewing its focus on the funding of lighting\nsystems at airports through the ACP. \n\u201cWe\u2019ve spent the last 15 years really focusing on our safety and\nstandards improvements as well as bringing up our pavement conditions to\nacceptable levels,\u201d said agency Deputy Director Grayson Ardies. \u201cThis has led to our lighting and electrical systems\nto age a bit more than we would like,\u201d he continued. This renewed focus on lighting will ensure\n100% functionality during all weather conditions and times of day at our\nairports. <\/p>\n\n\n\n