Parsons city commissioners on Monday discussed Parsons Tri-City Airport west of town and its value and needs.
Dylan Vitt, the new airport manager, led the discussion. He said the airport has value to the community and its businesses and citizens. The airport has a 5,000 foot runway, which can accommodate certain jets and smaller planes. Air Methods uses the airport for area hospitals as well.
Vitt said in July the city bought fuel for $23,000 and has had $50,000 in fuel sales in the five months since. He said the addition of self-service pumps for jet fuel and aviation fuel could improve those numbers more.
The airport also has decent air traffic, he said, from Citations, CJ3s, Phenom 300s and Falcon 7Xs. The largest, the Falcon, holds up to 15 passengers and three crew members. But the airport could use a parallel traffic way to improve safety and help with traffic flow. It would keep planes from having to travel on the runway in the opposite direction of traffic flow.
Vitt said he’s exploring grant options from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Kansas Department of Transportation for improvements, including adding self-service fuel pumps.
On another matter, Vitt said the city’s Public Works crews have been removing trees from the land around the airport and runways to comply with an FAA order.
Darrell Moyer, director of city engineering and Public Works, said of the 700 acres at the airport, city crews have rough-cleared all but about 80 acres.
In other matters, the commission: — Heard from Rod Landrum on SEK Point of Pride’s plan to install new LED soft white Christmas lights on downtown buildings, first on the fronts and then on the back sides and buildings facing side streets. SEK raised $23,500 toward the project, which is estimated to cost $49,000 for the first phase. The second phase will cost $22,000, he told commissioners. Downtown businesses and others donated toward the work. Later in the meeting, the commission agreed to commit tourism funds totaling $23,500 toward the project. The Parsons Area Community Foundation also contributed to the project. Landrum also thanked city workers for their help in watering flowers.
