Many improvements, including runways, hangars and navigation equipment, have been made at at the Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport during the last 10 years. The airport is owned by the Scioto County Board of Commissioners. It is operated by the Scioto County Airport Authority, whose members are appointed by the commissioners. In 1979, the commissioners received a $109,288 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for various improvements, including overlay and marking of taxiways; modifications of air-to-ground communications; and for construction of a drainage system for the taxiway. In 1980, eight T-hangars were constructed at a cost of $77,000. Electrical work on the hangers was completed the following year. In late 1980, a non-directional radio beacon, a device which permits radio direction finders on airplanes to lock in on the airport, was donated by the Cyclops Corp. Although it had been in use for some years, private ownership had prevented it from being listed on international charts. During 1982, parking apron lights were installed, a 4,000 gallon fuel tank installed and obstruction lights on hill west of the airport were repaired. The system, consisting of two synchronized flashing lights located near the Runway 36 threshold, improved the safety of the runway by providing pilots a rapid and positive identification of the runway end on their approaches to the airport. During that same year, a snowplow was purchased and a new $60,000 private hangar was constructed. The roof of the administration building was repaired in 1987 and runways and taxiways painted.
In 1988, the road leading into the airport was resurfaced and named the O. Carson Barklow Road in honor the former Scioto County engineer. A new 10,000 gallon jet fuel tank was installed at a cost of $17,366. Mike Chasteen of Chasteen Aviation, operator of the airport, has a maintenance shop with a mechanic on duty. He also operates a flight school. Plans this year call for the construction of a 100-foot x 60-foot maintenance hangar, which is expected to cost $120,000. In 1983, the Federal Aviation Administration approved funding of an environmental assessment for installation of runway end identifier lights for Runway 36. The system, consisting of two synchronized flashing lights located near the Runway 36 threshold, improved the safety of the runway by providing pilots a rapid and positive identification of the runway end on their approaches to the airport. The runway will be sealed at a cost of some $63,000. There currently are 35 private airplanes based at the airport. Two rental planes are available. There is a 35-member Civilian Air Patrol unit and a cadet program with about 20 enrolled. The CAP performs mostly search and rescue operations for downed aircraft and provides other emergency services. The Plane View Restaurant, located in the main building, is owned and operated by Mike Sparks. Sparks formerly managed the restaurant before becoming owner in August 1988. The restaurant features a full-line menu and is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Current members of the board of the Scioto County Airport Authority are Donald Hulbert, president; Cliff Rock, Vice-President; Paul Claxon, Secretary/Treasurer; and Dr. Mitchell Newman, Tom Blackburn, Claude Springer, Duanne Buss and Gene Wilson. |