Stafford airport seeks return of FPED in 2011

STAFFORD — The Stafford Regional Airport Authority hopes to bring the Force Protection Equipment Demonstration VIII to the facility again in 2011.
James Suarez, FPED VII project leader, contacted Ed Wallis, the airport’s manager, regarding the viability of holding the event at the airport in May of that year.
According to Wallis, FPED VII drew nearly 7,670 people, and was “bigger and better” than its predecessors. The event showcases a variety of demonstrations and security and force protection equipment.
According to authority members at Tuesday’s airport authority meeting, the event has a positive effect on the local economy, as local motel rooms fill and restaurant business increases. The event is touted as one of Fiscal Year 2009’s successes, said authority Chairman Walt George, another being the lowering of the personal property tax on aircraft to .01 cent per $100 of assessed value.
The airport also rented its first corporate hangar as well as other t-hangars. Since the property tax rate decreased, nine more t-hangars have been rented. George cited down sides as decreased fuel sales and too many empty hangars.
“We have only land and fuel to sell,” he said.
Impacting on the airport’s viability are obstructions on runway 33 and the overall economy, the latter impacting negatively on the entire aviation industry.
“Companies are shutting down left and right and people are selling their aircraft,” said authority member T. Campbell.
Trees are obstructing the runway enough to decrease business, according to the authority. In inclement weather, planes have to land by way of a radio signal and they need some margin of error in their “glide path,” the path in which they descend to the runway. Trees are decreasing that room, thus decreasing business on those days.
George cited discussions held at a June 23 strategic planning meeting. Suggestions included bringing in maintenance operations, and flight schools. Either one would increase fuel sales.
The Virginia Department of Health has proposed to use the airport for a pandemic exercise Oct. 23.
Participants would drive into the airport and receive flu shots without ever leaving their car.
“We believe that this exercise will add to our growing ability to provide large numbers of vaccinations or medications during an outbreak, such as pandemic,” reads a letter from Dr. Joseph V. Saitta, emergency services coordinator at the Virginia Department of Health.
Three-thousand free flu shots would available, and administered to those interested.
In other news, plans are moving ahead to bring Apex Cycling School to the airport and the National Capital Region Mustang Club remains interested in the site for an event.
And the 24th Maine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejune, N.C., will be holding training exercises at the airport from July 28-30.
Jim Lawrence is a contributing writer for the News & Messenger.