Fairhope, Alabama
AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETS
At the September Airport Authority meeting, it was announced that some vocational classes have finally begun at the city's Sonny Callahan Airport -- in two trailers set up in the main hangar's parking lot.
The unusually rainy and cold weather over the past year delayed construction of the new $2.1 million building nearby, so that it was not ready in time for the Fall term..
According to Airport Authority member Charlie Bassett, only general welding and hydraulics classes are being held in the trailers: aviation specialties are at another campus in Robertsdale.
He said he thought "all of the classes are pretty full."
NEW BUILDING NEARING COMPLETION
The new building is expected be open for the Winter term.
The Academy is a partnership by the Baldwin County School System, Faulker and Enterprise State Colleges, and the Fairhope Airport Authority -- and will provide three areas of instruction according to their brochure (see below):
* Aviation: Avionics technicians, aircraft mechanics jobs. Median pay $26.55/hr
* Industrial Maintenance: Millwrights, mechanics. $22.04/hr
* Welding: Cutters, solderers, brazers. $17.45/hr.
(statistics from u.s. dept. of labor used in brochures provided by the new school -- see below)
Dual enrollment of current high school students to be arranged through school counselors. (See the brochure below for further information)
AIRPORT LAND SALE OK'D
The Board also voted unanimously to proceed with the sale of 9.5 acres of west-side airport property to Fairhope-based Hy Grade Valve Inc. -- to expand their business on S. Greeno Rd.
Chairman Chuck Zunk called it "a good deal for the airport."
Fairhope attorney Dick Lacey represented the company.
The agreed-upon purchase price of $260,000 will be used for airport debt reduction; but the agreement must be approved by the bank first, according to Chairman Zunk.
Hy Grade Valve, founded in 1984, was described as a family business: Victor Teumer is its President.
It currently has 6 - 8 employees: expected to increase with the expansion.
The company builds "precision engineered" check valves that can withstand very high pressures, according to their website.
OTHER AIRPORT MATTERS
* Planned to present a proposal to the city's Planning Commission to sell more airport land to be used as a "wetland mitigation bank."
* Heard that drainage and other runway/taxiway improvements on the east side using a $1 million FAA grant should begin in 60 days.
*Heard that Howard Hadley had resigned from the Authority for personal reasons. The mayor must nominate a replacement, and the city council approve it.
MORE AVIATION ACADEMY COURSE INFORMATION:
AIRPORT AUTHORITY MEETS
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| Temporary classrooms |
At the September Airport Authority meeting, it was announced that some vocational classes have finally begun at the city's Sonny Callahan Airport -- in two trailers set up in the main hangar's parking lot.
The unusually rainy and cold weather over the past year delayed construction of the new $2.1 million building nearby, so that it was not ready in time for the Fall term..
According to Airport Authority member Charlie Bassett, only general welding and hydraulics classes are being held in the trailers: aviation specialties are at another campus in Robertsdale.
He said he thought "all of the classes are pretty full."
NEW BUILDING NEARING COMPLETION
The new building is expected be open for the Winter term.
The Academy is a partnership by the Baldwin County School System, Faulker and Enterprise State Colleges, and the Fairhope Airport Authority -- and will provide three areas of instruction according to their brochure (see below):
* Aviation: Avionics technicians, aircraft mechanics jobs. Median pay $26.55/hr
* Industrial Maintenance: Millwrights, mechanics. $22.04/hr
* Welding: Cutters, solderers, brazers. $17.45/hr.
(statistics from u.s. dept. of labor used in brochures provided by the new school -- see below)
Dual enrollment of current high school students to be arranged through school counselors. (See the brochure below for further information)
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| Fairhope Airport Academy (Sept. 21, 2014) |
AIRPORT LAND SALE OK'D
The Board also voted unanimously to proceed with the sale of 9.5 acres of west-side airport property to Fairhope-based Hy Grade Valve Inc. -- to expand their business on S. Greeno Rd.Chairman Chuck Zunk called it "a good deal for the airport."
Fairhope attorney Dick Lacey represented the company.
The agreed-upon purchase price of $260,000 will be used for airport debt reduction; but the agreement must be approved by the bank first, according to Chairman Zunk.
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| Dick Lacey |
It currently has 6 - 8 employees: expected to increase with the expansion.
The company builds "precision engineered" check valves that can withstand very high pressures, according to their website.
OTHER AIRPORT MATTERS
* Planned to present a proposal to the city's Planning Commission to sell more airport land to be used as a "wetland mitigation bank."
* Heard that drainage and other runway/taxiway improvements on the east side using a $1 million FAA grant should begin in 60 days.
*Heard that Howard Hadley had resigned from the Authority for personal reasons. The mayor must nominate a replacement, and the city council approve it.
Comments
On another note, I've lived and worked around the airport. The small engine planes that use it are barely noticeable. The potential for additional traffic doesn't worry me. If you buy a house near an airport, you should be prepared to hear or see the occasional plane. Same goes for rail, interstate, downtown commercial zone, etc.