Cassville airport fueling system back in business
Missouri State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick takes advantage of the Cassville Municipal Airport’s newly renovated fuel delivery system. Fitzpatrick said pilots often ask from the air about fueling in Cassville, and the airport’s competitive pricing makes it an optimal place for aviators to refuel.
Pictured, a crane sets the Cassville Municipal Airport’s new 10,000 gallon fuel tank in place.
November 27, 2019
Charlea Estes-Jones
After a lot of waiting and much anticipation, the Cassville Municipal Airport is back in the gas business. For nearly three years, the local airport was unable to provide aviators with aviation fuel due to a failing tank. Now, construction is complete and pilots can once again fuel up at the local airport.
David Brock, Cassville public works director, said the fuel system went live as operational on Friday, November 15, with a local pilot taking honors as the first to fuel up after the three year hiatus. Brock said the completion of the project is a welcomed after so long without the ability to provide fuel. He said, "It's similar to an electric vehicle instead of someone's personal vehicle. You really have to plan where you'll fill up if you fly an aircraft. If you're going to land, you want to fill up before you take off, and we really appreciate the patience of the local aircraft owners."
When the city was first notified of the issue, it had to shut down fuel operations until a new system could be installed. Brock initially said the project would be complete in spring 2019, but some delays outside of the city's control delayed it until fall.
Overall, the system boasts a 10,000 gallon capacity, which is 4,000 gallons more than the previous tank, as well as a total overhaul of the delivery system. Aviators are also able to pay at the pump when fueling up.
In total, the project cost $434,490, which was just under $20,000 less than the city initially planned. Brock said it is possible the final total will be even lower once the final engineering bill is received. Of that cost, 90 percent was paid for with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) non-entitlement funds from 2017, 2018 and 2019. Each year, the airport receives $150,000 annually if at least 12 aircraft are based there. Those funds are designated for certain airport improvement projects and have to be approved.
The remaining 10 percent comes form the city's capital improvement fund. Otherwise, the airport is funded through fuel sales and rental agreements with the city for hangars.
Lochner Engineering Group oversaw the engineering side of the project, and the construction bid was awarded to Illinois Oil Marketing Group.
Up until November 15, the closest place pilots could fuel up was Monett.
Brock added that the city also fields questions from pilots coming to the area for a visit about fuel availability. He said, "It's a common question from folks flying into the area, as well. They need to make their plans to fuel up if they are going fly in the area."
As far as the delay in getting the system operational, Brock says most of that had to do with the way the city's contract was worded. Basically, the construction company had 180 days to complete the project, but that was after the manufacturer finalized plans and built the tank for the airport. Brock said, "Our engineers kind of admitted that the contract format wasn't suitable for this type of project. The bulk of the delay was to get the tank manufacturer to submit the drawings and then build it. That's what took all of the time."
Moving forward, Brock said no major construction at the airport is in the books, however, they do have some paperwork that needs to be updated with the FAA and MoDOT. He said, "The only other project we have on the books for 2020 is we have to update some documents we have on file with MoDOT and FAA. It's a property exhibit which shows what we own and what we have control over easement-wise. That's expected to cost around $20,000. But, it's a land survey and title work."
As of November 15, the Cassville Municipal Airport's fuel system is up and running. Brock confirmed a few small details, such as some lighting, are almost finished, but those do not affect the ability of pilots fueling up at the airport.
Charlea Estes-Jones
After a lot of waiting and much anticipation, the Cassville Municipal Airport is back in the gas business. For nearly three years, the local airport was unable to provide aviators with aviation fuel due to a failing tank. Now, construction is complete and pilots can once again fuel up at the local airport.
David Brock, Cassville public works director, said the fuel system went live as operational on Friday, November 15, with a local pilot taking honors as the first to fuel up after the three year hiatus. Brock said the completion of the project is a welcomed after so long without the ability to provide fuel. He said, "It's similar to an electric vehicle instead of someone's personal vehicle. You really have to plan where you'll fill up if you fly an aircraft. If you're going to land, you want to fill up before you take off, and we really appreciate the patience of the local aircraft owners."
When the city was first notified of the issue, it had to shut down fuel operations until a new system could be installed. Brock initially said the project would be complete in spring 2019, but some delays outside of the city's control delayed it until fall.
Overall, the system boasts a 10,000 gallon capacity, which is 4,000 gallons more than the previous tank, as well as a total overhaul of the delivery system. Aviators are also able to pay at the pump when fueling up.
In total, the project cost $434,490, which was just under $20,000 less than the city initially planned. Brock said it is possible the final total will be even lower once the final engineering bill is received. Of that cost, 90 percent was paid for with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) non-entitlement funds from 2017, 2018 and 2019. Each year, the airport receives $150,000 annually if at least 12 aircraft are based there. Those funds are designated for certain airport improvement projects and have to be approved.
The remaining 10 percent comes form the city's capital improvement fund. Otherwise, the airport is funded through fuel sales and rental agreements with the city for hangars.
Lochner Engineering Group oversaw the engineering side of the project, and the construction bid was awarded to Illinois Oil Marketing Group.
Up until November 15, the closest place pilots could fuel up was Monett.
Brock added that the city also fields questions from pilots coming to the area for a visit about fuel availability. He said, "It's a common question from folks flying into the area, as well. They need to make their plans to fuel up if they are going fly in the area."
As far as the delay in getting the system operational, Brock says most of that had to do with the way the city's contract was worded. Basically, the construction company had 180 days to complete the project, but that was after the manufacturer finalized plans and built the tank for the airport. Brock said, "Our engineers kind of admitted that the contract format wasn't suitable for this type of project. The bulk of the delay was to get the tank manufacturer to submit the drawings and then build it. That's what took all of the time."
Moving forward, Brock said no major construction at the airport is in the books, however, they do have some paperwork that needs to be updated with the FAA and MoDOT. He said, "The only other project we have on the books for 2020 is we have to update some documents we have on file with MoDOT and FAA. It's a property exhibit which shows what we own and what we have control over easement-wise. That's expected to cost around $20,000. But, it's a land survey and title work."
As of November 15, the Cassville Municipal Airport's fuel system is up and running. Brock confirmed a few small details, such as some lighting, are almost finished, but those do not affect the ability of pilots fueling up at the airport.
