Wed, Jun 28, 2017
No Site For Replacement Airport Identified With St. Marys Closing Next Month
When the St. Marys Municipal Airport closes for good next month, it will leave Camden County, GA without a airport, and no prospects for another one anytime soon.
St. Marys airport (4J6) has been targeted for closure since September 11, 2001 due to its proximity to the Kings Bay submarine base. The county and the federal government finally came to an agreement to shutter the airport, and its runways will be permanently closed July 14 ... though a letter sent by the Navy to pilots saying they would have until September 8th to remove their airplanes from the airport. But it is an open question whether they will be able to use the runway after July 14.
The Brunswick News reports that the Georgia Department of Transportation is looking for a new location for an airport in Camden County, according to Camden County Commission chairman Jimmy Starline. But Starline said that the new airport will need a "sponsor" to accept responsibility for airport management, as well as the property in the airport safety zones. And that sponsorship comes with a $3 million price tag.
Starline said it was a big mistake for the city to agree to close the airport without having a new one ready to go, or at least firm plans for a replacement. "I don't think we should have gone one day without an airport, " he told the paper.
More than 10 years ago, the FAA funded a study which identified nine potential sites for a new airport. Bob Nutter, who was the only city council member to oppose closing the airport with no replacement plans, told The Brunswick News that the city considered three sites, selected one, and then later rejected that site because of wetland issues. The other sites were never seriously considered, he said, and he said the city will "blow an opportunity" by allowing the airport to close without a new one ready to go. "Once St. Marys Airport closes, you can kiss a municipal airport goodbye," he said.
Estimates are that Camden County will be without an airport for a minimum of five years.
More News
Radar Contact Lost Used by ATC to inform a pilot that the surveillance data used to determine the aircraft's position is no longer being received, or is no longer reliable and rada>[...]
Aero Linx: International Cessna 170 Association The International Cessna® 170 Association (TIC170A) was formed in 1969. We have over 1,000 members who own more than 850 aircraf>[...]
Pilot... Attempted To Enter The Right Side Of The Aircraft And Inadvertently Sat On The Throttle Control Analysis: Security camera video footage showed the pilot fuel the powered p>[...]
"This contract represents a huge 'win' for the entire CH-53K team. The contract allows Sikorsky to bundle purchase orders from suppliers to achieve better pricing and pass the savi>[...]
Also: Purdue In Space?, 4 SpecOps Lost In Helo Crash, Solid-Fuel Ramjet, Ultra-High Airspace Over FL The US Army recently confirmed its plans to thin out its active duty aviation r>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (10.02.25): Radar Contact Lost
See All