CAA: GA News, "Longer runway and fuel storage draws bigger airplanes"

["Stephen Irwin" <stepheni@xxxxxxxxx>]

Wednesday, January 9, 2002

Longer runway and fuel storage draws bigger airplanes 
The Associated Press


BAD AXE, Mich. (AP) -- A longer runway and availability of jet fuel is
making Huron County Memorial Airport a destination for some jet-powered
airplanes and rescue helicopters. 

"When people think of smaller airports like Bad Axe, they think of
little two-seater airplanes or maybe a four-seater," Ellen Engler,
manager of the airport, told The Bay City Times for a Wednesday story. 

Last year, one of the airport's two asphalt runways was lengthened from
4,300 to 5,000 feet. A federal grant of $633,600 helped finance the
extension project. 

The little airport has another advantage with its 5,000-gallon tank of
jet fuel, installed in 1998. 

"There's been a lot more jet traffic in here due to the long runway and
the (availability of) jet fuel," said Ellen Engler's stepson Trever
Engler. 

Trever Engler, who works as a commercial pilot for a Bad Axe
corporation, said the extra length on the runway helps in icy or wet
conditions "because it takes more power to take off then." 

The U.S. Coast Guard rescue helicopters and hospital air-ambulance
helicopters rely on the airport's jet fuel, Ellen Engler said. 

"When a Coast Guard helicopter is out searching for someone around here,
they don't have time to fly to Saginaw or Port Huron to refuel, so they
come to Bad Axe," she said. 

Ellen Engler also pumps the jet fuel when an airplane or helicopter
needs it. 

The University of Michigan Medical Center has had to fly its air
ambulance helicopter to the Huron Medical Center in Bad Axe at 3 a.m. to
pick up a patient and needed to refuel. 

"Weight and balance are real critical in any aircraft, so if you bring
more passengers you have to take less fuel, and you have to refuel more
frequently." 

The jets have not disturbed Jodi MacDonald, 19, who lives about
one-quarter mile from the airport runways. 

"I think I have noticed bigger airplanes coming in to land in the last
few months, but it doesn't bother me at all," she said.


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