The Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) approved tentative allocations of Commonwealth Airport Funds for Fiscal year 2013 at its meeting on Thursday, May 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Airport. Approved Air Carrier/Reliever Discretionary funding was $3,159,812.28and General Aviation Discretionary funding was $990,340. Projects addressed ranged from obstruction removal in Martinsville, to parking lot rehabilitation and expansion in Shenandoah Valley, to terminal building renovation and upgrades in Charlottesville and a taxiway extension in Manassas. Total Commonwealth Airport Fund discretionary funds allocated were $4,150,152.28.
The board also recognized Virginia Aviation Board members Robert “Bob” S. Dix and Richard “Rick” C. Franklin, Jr. for their years of services to the Commonwealth. Both board members’ terms expire June 30, 2013. Several accomplishments during Mr. Dix’s term include: terminal buildings at Lee County, Mountain Empire, and Twin County Airports; runway, apron and taxiway extensions, expansions and rehabilitations at Blue Ridge Regional, Lee County, New River Valley and Virginia Tech-Montgomery Executive Airports; and AWOS replacement and rotating beacon relation at Tazewell County Airport. Mr. Franklin’s accomplishments include: a new terminal building at Lawrenceville-Brunswick Municipal Airport; hangar site preparation, clearing and grading at Lake Country Regional and Mecklenburg-Brunswick Regional Airports; runway rehabilitation at Emporia-Greensville Regional, Franklin Municipal and Lake Country Regional Airports; and self-fueling equipment at Wakefield Municipal Airport.
The next VAB meeting is August 23 during the annual Virginia Aviation Conference.
The VAB has eight members representing seven regions of the Commonwealth. The Board approves funding requests brought to it by the Virginia Department of Aviation (DOAV).
