Dubois County Airport Authority meeting notes: May 12, 2014

The Dubois County Airport Authority met and took the following actions at the regular meeting on Monday.

—Heard the Huntingburg Airport is waiting for approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to allow nighttime instrument approaches to Runway Zero Niner. The airport removed several trees and three towers at the request of the FAA to allow those nighttime landings, but according to Woolpert Engineer, although the airport has completed the required work, the approval process has been slowed at the FAA  level.

—Heard the Huntingburg Airport and Dubois County Airport Authority is having trouble insuring the airport’s airplane to allow it to be available for rent by private pilots. According to Airport Manager Travis McQueen, he is seeking insurance that will allow the airport to rent the plane but he recommended the board create a committee to work with airport’s insurance agent, legal counsel and risk management. He stated due to the airport being a government unit, it has been difficult to find insurance for the plane to be used by private pilots. Currently, the board members and employees at the airport are the only pilots who can fly the plane.

Board members Mike Cummings, Brian Craig and Fred Souders formed a committee to explore options for insuring the plane for private use. Board President Craig stated he felt they should move forward expediently.

—Heard that the airport had purchased 7,522 gallons of Jet A on May 6 and planned on purchasing more on May 13. They also purchased 1,615 gallons of 100 Low Lead on May 7.

—Approved the planning of the new t-hangar pending the funding provided by the Dubois County Council.

—Heard that Vincennes University Jasper Campus had about 20 people show up for a discussion about the ground school being offered through a partnership between the university and the airport. Of the 20 attending the open house, 14 showed interest in taking the course and there have been 10 individuals, including several high school students, that have signed up for the course set to begin May 20. The cost of the program offered through the university is $459.

—Approved leasing space to Pathways to Flight for $1 annually. The program will use space in the back of Hangar Five to build a kit aircraft with local high school students through a special training program.

The board heard an update from Eric Seber about Pathways to Flight; a new program offered to local schools for students to learn how to build an experimental kit airplane. According to Seber, Heather Seber, and Jim Kulbeth and he have started the process to form a non-profit to support the program. While the process moves forward to be designated as a non-profit though the Dubois County Community Foundation has established a fund to support the program. Here is a story about the program

Seber is seeking to raise $20,000 initially to purchase the airframe kit and enough tools and materials to start the project. The airport agreed to lease space to Seber’s organization for the program. According to Seber, he would like to start the program next semester.

Seber stated he has one company sponsor — Jasper Engines — for the program.

Donations to the program can be made through the Dubois County Community Foundation site at http://www.dccommunityfoundation.org/currentfunds/youth-education/aircraft-youth-build-project-fund/; or they can mail a check made payable to:

Please include “Aircraft Youth Build Project” in the memo line.

—Heard from board member Mike Cummings, the interim president of the local economic development organization Dubois Strong, that through direct inquiries to the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the shovel ready site at the airport has received over 25,000 hits. By comparison, the second most popular site viewed in Dubois County is the Kimball south-side industrial park receiving over 900 hits in the same time frame. The fact that the airport and shovel ready site are two criteria being sought places the Huntingburg Airport site well ahead of other sites in regards to searches.

According to Cummings, these initial inquiries have led to the area being shortlisted for several companies, but has yet to land a new company. “Our main problem is the lack of labor and housing in the area,” he told the airport board.

McQueen stated he felt the airport held an advantage in that it was located within 50 miles of about 300,000 people to pull from for labor.

—Heard that the engineering firm Woolpert Engineering, must sign a “will not text” contract for the airport to be eligible for FAA grants. Airport board attorney Phil Schneider recommended the airport explore a similar contract for employees and board members.

—Approved paying 18,348.50 to Woolpert Engineering for their contracted services with the airport.