New GA Facility 'Highly Feasible' According To Study

Officials in Livingston Parish, LA, are in discussions with state and federal officials about the possibility of constructing an new GA airport in their community.  And out of the box, a study by the consulting firm LJC Poole calls the potential for getting the airport built is "highly feasible."

The newspaper The Advocate reports that a request for the inclusion of the proposed airport in the Louisiana Airport System Plan has been sent in writing to the state by parish president Layton Ricks. The consultant has also contacted the FAA about potential sites for the airfield.

The study shows that the airport could be built on as little as 200 acres, but 500 acres would be the optimal amount of land. The planned 5,400 foot runway would accommodate GA airplanes and some business jets, but not commercial air traffic. The runway is planned for a north-south orientations as prevailing winds are from the south, according to the study.

It is estimated that the project would cost about $12 million, with 90 percent funded through federal AIP and other grants. Parish councilwoman Sonya Collins told the paper that outside funding would be critical to the feasibility of building an airport at this time. Bobby Font, the mayor of Walker, LA, said that the number of airplanes in the parish will make it necessary to build such a facility "at some point" to move the parish forward in terms of development. But "I don't know if that time is now or not," he said.

While there are many hurdles to clear before the first dirt can be turned on the new airport, Ricks said he thinks it would be good for attracting business to the area. “A lot of businesses like the opportunity to fly right in” with key people or important parts, he said.

FMI: www.livingstonparishla.gov, www.faa.gov