A 700 Foot Extension Would Preserve Existing commercial Service

The FAA has told Hilton Head Island airport (KHXD) officials that any proposal to extend the runway on the resort island to less than 5,000 feet would receive a cool reception from the agency, and would be difficult to justify in terms of funding.

In a letter sent to county administrator Gary Kubic, the FAA's Scott Seritt said that an extension of less than 700 feet "would not justify the cost."

The argument is a familiar one pitting residents living near the airport against the airports' desire for a longer runway. The Island Packet reports that consultants studied extensions of 300, 700, and 1,100 feet, and some town officials have said that the 700 foot option would preserve the turboprop-based commercial service to the airport, increasing safety for those aircraft while minimizing disruptions to the surrounding residential neighborhoods. But the 5,000 foot runway would still not be sufficient for larger business jets or regional jets operated by the airlines. Regional jets would require a runway of at least 6,500 feet.

The FAA seems to be pushing Hilton Head to go for the longest option studied, a 5,400 foot runway. Seritt said in his letter that if the county does not make the longest possible extension now, the funds for such projects might not be available in the future.

KHXD

The paper reports that county administrator Kubic said the likelihood of reduced federal funding for the shortest option make it "very unlikely," and that a 5,000 foot runway seemed to be a good compromise. He said that the airport does not generate enough revenue to undertake any runway extension without the 95 percent funding offered by the FAA. State and local sources split the remaining 5 percent.

FMI: http://bcgov.net/about-beaufort-county/transportation/hhi-airport/index.php, www.faa.gov