Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 22, 1995 TAG: 9501260018
SECTION: ECONOMY PAGE: NRV-27 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Medium
The airport is now a destination for 15-20 corporate flights a week, and it's a magnet for recreational pilots. But "it could be a whole lot busier," said airport manager Bob Adkins.
The airport's long runway and unobstructed approach paths make it unique in the area and point toward its potential, those administrators say.
"It's kind of a front door for the community as far as anyone traveling by chartered or their own airplane," said Peter Huber, Pulaski County assistant administrator and secretary of the airport commission.
The airport, which opened in 1962, is a "major transportation asset available to the New River Valley" that is closed by bad weather less often than Roanoke's airport, said Airport Commission Chairman Nick Glenn.
Still, it's a jewel in the rough, Adkins said, though it may be beginning to shine.
"It seems with the economy beginning to turn around in the last year or so we've seen a pick up in corporate traffic."
The 4,000-square-foot terminal and industrial park are the latest in a series of improvements. Also part of the facility's master plan, which is being drawn up now, is a new taxi way.
Recently added have been new lights for the runway and new fuel tanks. Three years ago the runway was resurfaced, and since then privately funded hangars have gone up. Also new is an automated weather observation system.
"We have virtually rebuilt the airport," Glenn said, who said it has many of the features that the Roanoke airport has except for a control tower.
Now, airport administrators are waiting for the future to happen.
"It's basically poised. We're ready to meet whatever needs the industrial prospects have," Glenn said.
Airport decision-makers have been focusing their attention on industry since Piedmont Aviation, a passenger carrier, closed up shop in the early 1970s.
Across the 6,200-foot runway, one of the longest in southwest Virginia, is Pulaski County's Airport Industrial Park. Preliminary construction and the installation of water and sewer lines are underway at the 50-acre site, where county officials hope to attract airport-related industries.
If enough cargo business is generated there and at other area industries, such as Volvo GM's heavy truck plant, the runway may be upgraded to accommodate 727 and 747 cargo jets.
But that might not happen before the turn of the century, if at all, Glenn said.
"As a practical point, we've always said, 'Let's have a need before we build it.'"
Almost all of the airport's funding comes from federal and state sources. Seven valley localities own it.
by CNB