Aviation Interests Win Latest Round In A Long-Simmering Battle
Over Grant-Valkaria Airport
The Grant-Valkaria Airport (X59) community tells ANN on
Wednesday that, after years of hard work on the part of the local
aviation community, a major step forward was accomplished on
Tuesday, March 23. The Brevard County (FL) Commission unanimously
approved the acceptance of federal and state funding for critical
safety improvements at the airport. This is the first time in the
airport's history that FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP)
entitlement funds have been sought or accepted, something
considered routine for nearly every public-use airport in the
nation.
X59 Aerial View
The FAA funds will be combined with
Florida DOT (FDOT) funds as well as a 1% local match, and total
$315,000 to be disbursed in two parts. The money will be used for
long-needed and high-priority safety improvements to the airport,
including runway / taxiway re-marking; installation of an airport
beacon, lighted windsock, Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI),
Runway End Identifier Lighting (REIL), and a segmented circle.
The grant will also allow the drafting of a property map and
engineering drawings for future apron resurfacing.
Sources tell ANN the only condition placed on the money by the
commission is that, should the language of the final FAA grant
contract change "significantly" from the current draft version, the
changes must come back before the commission for review. The County
Attorney would determine if any changes are "significant," but
sources say no such changes are anticipated.
The story of Grant-Valkaria Airport has been a long and drawn-out
one. The Grant-Valkaria town council tried on numerous occasions to
ban legitimate aviation activities at the airport, despite being
told they had no legal jurisdiction to do so. At one point, the
local EAA chapter was reportedly forced to remove their soda
machine on the charge that the $4 per month it brought in was a
"prohibited commercial activity."
When a new airport manager came in,
however, local aviators saw an opportunity and banded together.
Since then, the airport has gained an airport master plan (which
we're told took 2 years and 15 public meetings), established
positive and effective airport management policies, created a
yearly air fest that draws thousands of neighbors to the airport,
and more. Critically, the cause of the airport has steadily gained
support throughout the community, the Brevard County Commission,
FAA, FDOT, and many other places, though those close to the
situation say every step forward was a battle.
Last week both the FAA and the state attorney general reversed
their prior position and sent the Brevard County, FL Commission a
letter indicating their full support of installing these airport
safety improvements.
Acceptance of the grants will allow the airport to be brought up to
basic, modern safety standards for the operations that occur there.
Meanwhile, the aviation community says they are experiencing
growing support and influence as they continue to stay
involved.