- May 3, 2024
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Completed this month, renovations at the airport include a relocated taxiway, a resurfaced taxiway, a new aerial compass rose and a heliport.
BY WAYNE GRANT | STAFF WRITER
The most extensive renovation of Ormond Beach Municipal Airport in the facility's history was completed this month, at a cost of about $2.2 million. Only about $41,000 of that cost came out of city coffers, however.
According to Airport Manager Steven Lichliter, 90% of the project was paid for through Federal Aviation Administration grants, and 8% was covered by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The main improvements were the relocation of a taxiway, the construction of a heliport, resurfacing of another taxiway and construction of a new compass rose visible by pilots.
Doug Norman, vice president of Hoyle, Tanner and Assoc. Inc., which designed and engineered the project, agreed with local officials that the changes should improve safety and noise abatement.
Taxiway Alpha was built 50 years ago but, by today's standards, was too close to the runway, Hoyle said. Relocating it provides more clearance between planes preparing to take off or land. The aprons added to the end of each runway will provide better sequencing for takeoffs and landings, which should cut down on noise, since runways should no longer get backed up with several planes waiting to take off.
Planes will now be able to do their pre-flight checks on the apron, while other aircraft taxi by them. Lichliter said the control tower will be able to avoid the “rapid-fire” takeoff of planes one after the other.
The new taxiway is also longer, enabling planes to exit the runway, which should reduce the flying time around the airport for aircraft ready to land.
“One of the issues of noise abatement is planes circling and waiting to land,” Lichliter said.
The public-use heliport is expected to bring in service and maintenance job to the airport, as well, he added.
He said there are helicopter pads in the area but this will be the only heliport, with traffic controlled by the tower. Anyone using the heliport will receive instructions to land and take off in a northwest direction to avoid residential areas.
Joe Mannarino, economic director for the city, said helicopter business could come from several areas, including businesses, the military or schools.
“This project got the full support of the City Commission,” Mayor Ed Kelley said. “The airport is a valuable incubator for business.”
Commissioner Bill Partington said the commission “always strives” for improved safety and noise abatement.
The project accomplished goals that were listed in the Airport Master Plan, which was approved by the commission in 2004 public meetings, Lichliter said. He said the airport still needs another taxiway
Halifax Paving Inc., at 860 Hull Road, did all of the construction for the project, which began last December.
