The Russell County Airport Board discussed several potential projects during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening, but took no formal action.
Board members heard a presentation from Bobby Hug, who recently developed a website for the Russell County Airport. The proposed site would provide aviation information for pilots while also highlighting local restaurants, lodging, marinas and other attractions. Chairman John Stivers said the board plans to further evaluate the website before making a decision. The proposal includes a purchase price of $3,200, an annual fee of $500, and an optional hosting and technical support package for $200 per month.
The board also heard from Chris Jaynes of Columbia, owner of Level Flight Aviation, who asked officials to consider allowing him to establish an aircraft maintenance facility at the airport, along with possible flight instruction and pilot certification services. Jaynes said the business could attract more aircraft to the airport for maintenance, increase fuel sales, and expand aviation services in Russell County. Board members expressed interest, but no action was taken.
In other business, airport engineering consultant Paul Steely of Goodwin Mills Cawood presented the results of a feasibility study on adding a turf runway. The study found the project would not fit on the airport’s existing property because of Federal Aviation Administration spacing and safety requirements. Steely said construction would require purchasing an additional 19 acres and clearing about six acres of trees, effectively ending further consideration of the proposal.