Originally Posted by
KevinL
The airport creates their own problems and then cries for more taxpayer funds. Tom Geles stated this is a safety issue that must be addressed immediately. While he claims that purchase of town property is required to complete the taxiway, a safe and complete taxiway can be completed within current footprint of airport property. Reason he wants town property is for next phase of build out which would be 2300' of runway and approximately 3500' more of taxiway to the east. All claims are only meant to set airport up for another expansion to allow small jets and aircraft of 79' wing span and up to 45000 lbs. to land at BQR. You do the math: original runway (1995) was 2750' long X 45' wide. The airport decided to build a NEW runway moving such to the north and east of original location. Runway length to date is 3200' X 75' wide and is more than enough to handle current aircraft housed at airport. Parallel taxiway can be added to current runway and relieve airport of self imposed "safety issue". They are trying to cover up true goal that they actually want a 5500' runway with a rating of B2 aircraft. Example: Aircraft landing speed under 121 mph/under 79' wing span and a total 45000 lbs.
Currently, airport is set up for wing span's under 49' and weight of 12,500 lbs. max. Why do we need larger aircraft at BQR when BNIA can easily handle the few that may occassionaly come to this area? BNIA is already set up for these aircraft at no further tax payer expense. A private TAX PAYING enterprise, (Prior Aviation) is already capable of handling aircraft with no additional public monies.