Airport to receive almost $1 million in funding

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September 5, 2007

Plattsburgh International will get firefighting vehicle, wildlife study

By DAN HEATH The Press Republican Wed Sep 05, 2007, 12:00 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH -- Plattsburgh International Airport will get funding for a new firefighting and rescue vehicle and to conduct a wildlife-hazard assessment.

U.S. Rep. John McHugh (R-Pierrepont Manor) said Tuesday that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration will provide $937,175 through two grants to the airport.

A $900,600 grant will provide funding for purchase of an aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle.

A $36,575 grant provides money for a wildlife-hazard assessment and subsequent development of a management plan.

McHugh also announced a $901,000 grant for Massena International-Richards Field for removal of airport obstructions.

"Improving safety and the quality of our rural airports is a top priority," McHugh said in a news release. "The grants for Plattsburgh International Airport and Massena International-Richards Field accomplish both goals.

"By replacing aircraft emergency response vehicles, removing obstructions along the runways and dealing with wildlife issues in a responsible fashion, we are advancing air service across the North Country."

Clinton County Administrator Michael Zurlo said the grants are part of the next round of funding through the federal Military Airport Program.

"This is evidence of the continued commitment by the FAA and our elected officials toward the quality development effort at Plattsburgh International Airport," Zurlo said.

Interim Airport Manager Rodney Brown said the airport is looking for a new firefighting vehicle. The $900,600 grant would pay for most, if not all, of the apparatus, estimated to cost between $850,000 and $950,000.

The airport has three firefighting vehicles: two from the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base and one from Clinton County Airport. The newest is 17 years old, however.

The present vehicles are rated at FAA Index A, acceptable only for small aircraft, Brown said. The ratings are based on the amount of water and foam the truck can carry.

The truck the airport hopes to purchase would be rated at Index C, capable of providing coverage for any type of aircraft expected to use the new airport, including Boeing 727s and 747s, Brown said. That would be double the capacity of any of the existing trucks.

The $36,575 grant will help determine what wildlife hazards exist at the airport and what can be done to mitigate those threats.

"All airports are required (by the FAA) to have this," Brown said.

The threats most people think of, such as deer or birds, are only a fraction of what must be accounted for, Brown said. Threats can also include stones and debris along a runway.

Once the study is under way, it should done in two or three weeks, Brown said. The final plan is not required to be in place before air service can take place.

Allegiant Air is expected to announce at a press conference today that it will start low-cost, non-stop air service between Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Plattsburgh.

dheath@pressepublican.com