IWD Has Until End Of Year To Comply

The Federal Aviation Administration recently performed its annual re-certification and safety inspection of the Gogebic-Iron County Airport (IWD) in Ironwood, MI. The airport received a rather long list of honey-dos that has to be completed by December 31.

Airport Manager Duane R. DuRay outlined what needed to be done at an airport board meeting Monday.

IWD must paint its old runway, a job that will require about 30 gallons of paint and some staff training, said DuRay. The emergency plan needs to be updated and all agency phone numbers should be in working order.

Airport personnel are required to stand by the facilities aircraft rescue and fire-fighting equipment during flight times, according to the Ironwood Daily Globe. Staff must work "more intensively" in developing a wildlife hazard plan. The terminal building has a broken window that needs to be replaced.

The terminal will see a bit of remodeling done during the directive compliance process. Several large windows will be removed and replaced with smaller ones to help control climate control costs and a new lighted sign saying 'Iron County' will be placed on the front of the building, DuRay said.

He expects these renovations will take about two weeks.

The airport board also discussed constructing a 750-foot addition to the terminal. IWD receives $150,000 a year from the FAA and those funds can be used for renovations, according to DuRay.

DuRay asked the board for an upgrade in airport maintenance equipment. On the wish list is a newer tractor with a cab and air-conditioning for keeping the grass covering the airport's 1300 acres in check and possibly a bulldozer for stump removal.

The airport is served by regional feeder airline Midwest Connect.

FMI: www.flyfromironwood.com