Mountain Empire, Winchester Regional Among Airports Receiving Improvement Money

The Virginia Aviation Board (VAB) recently approved tentative allocations of Commonwealth Airport Funds for Fiscal year 2009 at its meeting on Thursday, February 19.

Approved Air Carrier/Reliever Discretionary funding was $47,500 and General Aviation Discretionary funding was $11,411. Among the six airports receiving funding were Mountain Empire Airport, which received $7,510 to implement a Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Plan; Winchester Regional, which received $2,100 for runaway rehabilitation; and Chesterfield County, which received $40,000 for T-hanger taxilane rehabilitation.

The VAB also passed a resolution honoring the late Jean Waltrip, who managed the Williamsburg-Jamestown Airport for more than 30 years. Mrs. Waltrip had been instrumental in forming the airport with her husband Larry. In 2001, the Waltrips became the first husband and wife team to be inducted in the Virginia Aeronautical Historical Society Hall of Fame. In 2005, the couple received the Captain John Smith Award, given by James City County Economic Development Division, as the top business in James City County.

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). The next VAB meeting is scheduled for May 21 in Richmond.

FMI: www.doav.virginia.gov/vab.htm