Aviation Interests Win Latest Round In A Long-Simmering Battle Over Grant-Valkaria Airport

The Grant-Valkaria Airport (X59) community tells ANN on Wednesday that, after years of hard work on the part of the local aviation community, a major step forward was accomplished on Tuesday, March 23. The Brevard County (FL) Commission unanimously approved the acceptance of federal and state funding for critical safety improvements at the airport. This is the first time in the airport's history that FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) entitlement funds have been sought or accepted, something considered routine for nearly every public-use airport in the nation.
 

X59 Aerial View

The FAA funds will be combined with Florida DOT (FDOT) funds as well as a 1% local match, and total $315,000 to be disbursed in two parts. The money will be used for long-needed and high-priority safety improvements to the airport, including runway / taxiway re-marking; installation of an airport beacon, lighted windsock, Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), Runway End Identifier Lighting (REIL), and a segmented circle.

The grant will also allow the drafting of a property map and engineering drawings for future apron resurfacing.
 
Sources tell ANN the only condition placed on the money by the commission is that, should the language of the final FAA grant contract change "significantly" from the current draft version, the changes must come back before the commission for review. The County Attorney would determine if any changes are "significant," but sources say no such changes are anticipated.
 
The story of Grant-Valkaria Airport has been a long and drawn-out one. The Grant-Valkaria town council tried on numerous occasions to ban legitimate aviation activities at the airport, despite being told they had no legal jurisdiction to do so. At one point, the local EAA chapter was reportedly forced to remove their soda machine on the charge that the $4 per month it brought in was a "prohibited commercial activity."

When a new airport manager came in, however, local aviators saw an opportunity and banded together. Since then, the airport has gained an airport master plan (which we're told took 2 years and 15 public meetings), established positive and effective airport management policies, created a yearly air fest that draws thousands of neighbors to the airport, and more. Critically, the cause of the airport has steadily gained support throughout the community, the Brevard County Commission, FAA, FDOT, and many other places, though those close to the situation say every step forward was a battle.
 
Last week both the FAA and the state attorney general reversed their prior position and sent the Brevard County, FL Commission a letter indicating their full support of installing these airport safety improvements.
 
Acceptance of the grants will allow the airport to be brought up to basic, modern safety standards for the operations that occur there. Meanwhile, the aviation community says they are experiencing growing support and influence as they continue to stay involved.

FMI: www.airnav.com/airport/X59