AIRPORT MEETING
On October 15, 2004, a meeting was held at City Hall concerning issues involving the airport. Attending the meeting were representatives from Garver and Garver Engineers, Ronnie Hall Conway city engineer, Mayor Townsell and myself. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss improvements needed at Cantrell Field and how to schedule and finance these improvements.

The major improvements that were discussed were trimming of the trees on the west end of the airport, resurfacing of both runways, restriping of both runways, a waiver of the displacement on runway 26, runway lighting repair/replacement and drainage issues around the enclosed hangars. All of these issues will be presented to and discussed at the City Council meeting on October 26th, which sadly is more than likely before you receive this newsletter.

Newsletter Archive Index:

• October 2004, Happy Anniversary, Flight Restrictions

• September 2004, Hay for Sale, Aviation Proficiency Training

• July/August 2004, Airport in Log Cabin Democrat

• June 2004, Airport Lease, Suggestion Box, Billing Cycle.

• May 2004, Congrats to Rob, Airport lease questioned.

• April 2004, Aircraft lighting, Late payments.

• March 2004, Gas prices higher, Spring is near.

• February 2004, Greenbay Packing lands at Conway.

• January 2004, Happy New Year

• December 2003, airport relocation discussed.

Funding for all of these projects is available thru the Arkansas Aeronautical Commission. John Knight, director of the Commission has written a letter to the Mayor and the council supporting our efforts to make our airport as safe as possible. We’ll keep you posted. (see update, below)

TIE DOWN ROPES and HANGARS
Much discussion has been heard lately about tie down ropes, selection of hangars and who’s responsible for what. First let me say that Conway Aviation Services, Inc. is not responsible for the restraint or parking of your aircraft. We will assist you in parking your aircraft and we will tie down your plane if asked to BUT we can not supply you with the ropes or restraints to tie down your plane. WHY? Liability and lawsuits. Many FBO’s have been sued recently due to issues concerning the ropes and restraints used to tie-down aircraft. Please inspect your tie-down ropes regularly and replace them when needed.

Hangars are not assigned with a specific placement. If you lease a t-hangar or any other hangar we reserve the right to move your aircraft to another hangar or spot. Why would we need to do this? We have a few hangars now that are unusable because the tails and wings of some aircraft do not match up to allow those planes to sit side by side. As an example some low wing planes would not allow a high wing plane to be placed next to it simply because they won’t fit next to each other. In the future we may be forced to move some of these planes around to make better use of the limited hangar space we have.

Conway Aviation Services, Inc. is also not responsible for damage to your aircraft. We can not be held responsible for damage to your aircraft. I’m sorry to have to remind everyone of the provisions that are clearly stated in your hangar lease but unfortunately it’s the world that we live in today.

UPDATE ON AIRPORT MEETING
On October 26, the city council considered the safety improvements that we have asked to be addressed at Cantrell Field. Those improvements/repairs are:

1. The trees to be trimmed on the approach end of runway 08.
2. Both runways overlaid and repainted.
3. Runway lights repaired
4. Displaced threshold moved or a waiver to move the threshold back.
5. Drainage issues around the hangars.

The council unanimously voted to apply to the Arkansas Aeronautic Commission for the needed funds to begin these projects!!! The best news is that the infamous trees on the approach end of runway 08 will be trimmed almost immediately!!

Many thanks go out to all of you who have spoken to and written the council about these projects. And of course thanks also go out to our Mayor, City Council, City Engineer and the Garver and Garver Engineers who have seen the wisdom of maintaining the level of safety at the highest level at Cantrell Field.

Make sure you drop a note or place a call to these folks and thank them for their action tonight.

~ May you have clear skies and a favoring tailwind ~