City sets sights on airport facilities

Web posted June 10, 2000

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By Justin Martin
Staff Writer

If Tim Weegar, the interim director of Augusta Regional Airport at Bush Field, is looking for a little job security, he might have just gotten it.

It was Mr. Weegar who came up with an idea that many Augusta Aviation Commission members are calling ``brilliant.''

OTHER STORIES: • Aviation groups come to airport's aid • Aviation commission looks to GAIN • New airport promotions prepare for takeoff • Airport hopes to see funds • Experts push master plan for airport • Airport ignores funding • Board moves to study expansion • Inspectors: Airport outdated • Commission rethinks airport plan • Commission OKs design of new terminal • Airport gets fund priority • City sets sights on airport facilities • City looks to land major airlines • Local leaders discuss airline service goals • Delta jets to depart from area • Airport panel OKs new terminal plan • Growth alarms officials • Augusta's size hurts airport expansion plan • Firms vie for airport plan • More airlines doubtful • Problems hurt Bush Field • Airport business picks up • Augusta airport plans disappointed by Delta

The idea: create a Federal Aviation Administration certified aircraft and power-plant maintenance school and repair facility at the airport.

The school would be a joint operation of Garrett Aviation, Augusta Technical Institute and Atlantic Southeast Airlines, and it would be located at Bush Field.

The school and repair facility would have no effect on passenger airline service to Augusta.

The idea to build the facility at Bush Field comes as ASA begins to look for four locations around the country to construct regional jet-repair facilities.

As aviation commissioner Marcie Wilhelmi said, there is a nationwide shortage of qualified, certified aircraft maintenance workers.

``It makes perfect sense to bring it home to Augusta, Georgia,'' Ms. Wilhelmi said. ``The point being, if we have a maintenance facility here and you're already sending your jets here .ƒ.ƒ. it's a very logical leap to go straight from that to bringing passenger service here. The airport's incentive is multiple: It is a way to expand nonairline revenue, a way to create a ready labor facility and, more than those other two, it is a way to attract and retain visiting carriers and grow the economic base of the area.''

State Sen. Charles Walker already has pledged his support and vowed to see what types of state grants might be available to help push the project along as quickly as possible.

Aviation commissioner Cedric Johnson, a member of Augusta Tech's board of trustees, said the school is expected to pass a formal motion in support of the project at its next meeting.

``I think this is a great idea,'' said Aviation Commission Chairman Ed Skinner.

Mr. Johnson, Mr. Weegar and Ms. Wilhelmi held an initial concept meeting last week with Jim West and Kevin Shea of the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce, Terry Elam, president of Augusta Tech, and Don VonGruenigen, vice president and general manager at Garrett Aviation.

Garrett Aviation, Augusta Regional Airport's largest tenant, has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade,in large part because of the increased need for corporate and regional jets.

To continue its growth, the company needs as many qualified mechanics as it can get, airport officials said.

A new school would provide Garrett with a ready supply of mechanics, airport officials say.

The new school would require a 20,000-square-foot facility: Half of the building would be hangar space; the other half would be classrooms.

Early estimates indicate the school would cost about $1 million to build.

In the meantime, Mr. Elam reportedly has offered Augusta Tech's Quick Start building near Butler High School as an interim classroom site. With the proper FAA approvals, classes could start as early as July 2001.

Atlantic Southeast Airlines' maintenance and repair facility would require construction of a 40,000- to 50,000-square-foot facility. The company is looking for communities to supply the infrastructure (hangar, parking, water, sewer) and a ready-trained certified labor force.

Perhaps nothing makes the need for such a school more clear than a recent advertisement that stated Columbia's airport is looking to hire 100 airplane mechanics.

``We've got to apply for and lobby aggressively to get the ASA maintenance facility built here in Augusta,'' Ms. Wilhelmi said.

Reach Justin Martin at (706) 823-3552.