The Future of Spartanburg's Downtown Memorial Airport

[roads-scholar]

Due to heavy July rains the runway project has been delayed.  The refurbished runway will be be ready until October. 

This news is unfortunate because the airport was expecting increased flights for the upcoming World Equestrian Games.  Moreover, many companies use the airport and this delay will be an additional inconvenience for them. 

[spartanburgh]

Plus the stupidity of using asphalt instead of concrete.

[roads-scholar]

3 hours ago, spartanburgh said:

Plus the stupidity of using asphalt instead of concrete.

Asphalt is fine as long as the runway is COMPLETELY rebuilt which is the case at the airport.   This runway had been resurfaced a few times in the past but never completely rebuilt.   

8 hours ago, roads-scholar said:

Due to heavy July rains the runway project has been delayed.  The refurbished runway will be be ready until October. 

This news is unfortunate because the airport was expecting increased flights for the upcoming World Equestrian Games.  Moreover, many companies use the airport and this delay will be an additional inconvenience for them. 

 

[roads-scholar]

The airport's newly repaved and extended runway is scheduled to reopen later this week.  The below photo  doesn't show the runway's distinctive white center line striping,  distance markings, or yellow taxi exit striping. 

 

Edited October 22, 2018 by roads-scholar

[roads-scholar]

Two views of the airports recently reconstructed runway. 

[roads-scholar]

On 11/30/2018 at 2:13 PM, roads-scholar said:

Two views of the airports recently reconstructed runway. 

Runway is now 5,825 feet long, up from 5,203 feet.   Safety zones have now been added to each end of the runway.  They are not included in the published length.    

Edited December 21, 2018 by roads-scholar

[roads-scholar]

https://www.goupstate.com/news/20200104/longer-runway-expected-to-boost-spartanburgs-business-recruitment

Positive story about the new runway's impact on business development and recruitment.  

[westsider28]

The City is planning a massive airport sign on a retaining wall along Hwy 295.  It will be good to raise awareness of the airport's existence.  Still wish they'd connect Airflow Drive through to 295 via Venture Blvd for easier access.

[roads-scholar]

8 hours ago, westsider28 said:

The City is planning a massive airport sign on a retaining wall along Hwy 295.  It will be good to raise awareness of the airport's existence.  Still wish they'd connect Airflow Drive through to 295 via Venture Blvd for easier access.

As a longtime supporter of the airport I think this a great idea.  There are many people in Spartanburg who have no idea the city has a downtown airport.   This sign will help change that.  

[westsider28]

The aforementioned airport signage on the retaining wall facing Hwy 295 has been installed.  Looks good!

 

[westsider28]

At Monday's City Council meeting (agenda), there's an item about Pilatus Group building themselves an aircraft hangar.  It would cost ~$700k, be 11900 SF, and revert to City ownership in 40 years.  Good to see more investment at the airport.  There's also a map of future airport development included (Pilatus hangar is circled), which gives some insight into the growth that's expected (a lot). I wish I knew what the colors mean, but the file is too low-res to read.

I'm also glad to see a road connection planned from Airflow Drive to Venture Blvd (and therefore Hwy295).  I hope that's open to the public as a through road, because it would give an alternative to the nearly-impossible left turn from Kensington onto JBW, Sr. Blvd.

[roads-scholar]

22 hours ago, westsider28 said:

At Monday's City Council meeting (agenda), there's an item about Pilatus Group building themselves an aircraft hangar.  It would cost ~$700k, be 11900 SF, and revert to City ownership in 40 years.  Good to see more investment at the airport.  There's also a map of future airport development included (Pilatus hangar is circled), which gives some insight into the growth that's expected (a lot). I wish I knew what the colors mean, but the file is too low-res to read.

I'm also glad to see a road connection planned from Airflow Drive to Venture Blvd (and therefore Hwy295).  I hope that's open to the public as a through road, because it would give an alternative to the nearly-impossible left turn from Kensington onto JBW, Sr. Blvd.

I'm puzzled but also extremely excited about this development.  Pilatus is a Swiss manufacturer of light aircraft and their presence at the airport would a BIG deal.   A hangar this size tells me that this is more than just an ordinary storage or single-aircraft maintenance facility. 
 

Of course, this could be a new fixed base operator (FBO) who is an authorized Pilatus dealer / service center.  Pilatus already has a fairly extensive network of service centers around the country with the nearest in Charlotte.  
 

I'm anxious to learn more.  

Edited March 14, 2022 by roads-scholar

[Historyguy]

2 hours ago, roads-scholar said:

I'm puzzled but also extremely excited about this development.  Pilatus is a Swiss manufacturer of light aircraft and their presence at the airport would a BIG deal.   A hangar this size tells me that this is more than just an ordinary storage or single-aircraft maintenance facility. 
 

Of course, this could be a new fixed base operator (FBO) who is an authorized Pilatus dealer / service center.  Pilatus already has a fairly extensive network of service centers around the country with the nearest in Charlotte.  
 

I'm anxious to learn more.  

Council did agree to the proposal tonight.  The city manager regarded it as a way to increase revenue at the airport and said they had some similar agreements - basically aircraft owners who keep their planes here also buy fuel and pay other fees at the airport, so the more the better.