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Airport authority gears up for next year

By By JIM LAWRENCE - For the Stafford County Sun
Published: December 14, 2009

STAFFORD — The Stafford Regional Airport Authority met Dec. 8. Despite a late start on its Master Plan, it is expected to be completed on time — about June of next year.

The Master Plan addresses trends, needs and a blueprint of the airport.

The possibility of “hot fueling” — fueling a plane while it is still running — was broached at this meeting. Compare it to filling up your car with the motor still running, except that a propeller still in motion creates a field of static electricity. It would require a minimal investment of infrastructure and trained personnel to make it happen. At present, no facilities in the area are offering the procedure. The authority will discuss its viability at a later date.

Negotiations with FPED VIII are ongoing.

Ed Wallis, the airport’s manager, reported an “interesting conversation” with them recently. An offer was tendered, however FPED VIII personnel requested that the authority “rethink” its offer.
The technology exposition has been held at Stafford Airport the last two times, and has been considered successful each time by the commission.

The authority will meet again Jan. 12 at 8:30 a.m. at the Stafford Regional Airport at 75 Aviation Way.

Jim Lawrence is a contributing writer for the Stafford County Sun. Reach him at info@staffordcountysun.com.