System Has Been Shut Down For Nearly A Year

The FAA has agreed to install new landing lights at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Airport (KAVP) in Pennsylvania after allowing the system to be inoperative for nearly a year.

Airport director Barry Centini said the system has been shut down since February because of burned out bulbs and "shakiness" of the system.

U.S. Senator Bob Casey said that he had received a letter from FAA Administrator Michael Huerta that said "The FAA plans to pursue a solution that will ensure safe and reliable flights in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area as well as safe working conditions for FAA personnel." Centini credited Casey with championing the project with the FAA for the central Pennsylvania airport.

The project is estimated to cost between $3 and $4 million, according to a report in the online source citizensvoice.com. No local match will be required for the project. Centini said that because of the size and activity at the airport, the FAA determined that the landing lights were "important at this facility."

Centini said that it has not been determined if anything from the old system is salvageable, or if they'll have to build a new system from scratch. The first meetings between airport officials and the FAA are expected to begin this month.

FMI: www.faa.gov