Lincoln Airport looking ahead to new equipment, possibilities

The Lincoln Airport Foundation met April 16 to discuss several upcoming changes and improvements, as well as safety concerns and the return of the Lincoln Fly-In this summer.

Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and subsequent funding such as the American Rescue Plan, the Lincoln Airport is set to receive more than $29,000 to support a variety of projects. Additionally, Montana Aeronautics Division Administrator Tim Conway said the Yellowstone Airport was granted nearly $18 million dollars as part of the CARES Act, which federal rules allow to be shared with airports like Lincoln.

The Lincoln Airport provides important local access for a variety of uses, said Jerry Cain, president of the LAF. Projects like those funded by the CARES Act can increase the capacity and usability of the airport.

"We have medevacs out of there fairly often. It's been used every time we have a fire season. From an economical standpoint, the more capability that airport has, the more likely you are to attract businesses to Lincoln. Just the fact that it's there will draw general aviation pilots like myself," Cain said.

One of the upcoming projects for the Lincoln Airport is an automated weather observing system. This system is one component of the new instrument approach that will help pilots achieve lower minimum safe altitudes. It is set for installation likely within the next two years.

Recently, the Lincoln Airport also put up three weather cameras to aid pilots, with a fourth to be added soon. Lincoln is the first airport in Montana, and the first in the lower 48 outside of Colorado, to receive the cameras. Each camera provides a 45-degree angle view. The camera live feeds are available at avcams.faa.gov.

"They're FAA cameras, and they came from Alaska," said Cain, noting that the cameras allow pilots traveling to Lincoln to check local weather conditions before flying in. Cain added that Conway had used the cameras the morning of the meeting to check conditions before flying in to Lincoln.

Several legislative bills this year will help to fund some of the projects at the Lincoln Airport, as well. House Bill 20, which was sponsored by Lincoln-area Representative Becky Beard and is expected to head to the Governor for signature soon, would allow grants to be awarded to airports for courtesy cars. In addition, Conway said the Aeronautics Division has two cars available. The LAF plans to submit an application for a grant by May 1. An airport courtesy car would allow pilots who fly into Lincoln greater access to visit Lincoln businesses.

House Bill 2, which is the General Appropriations Act, includes provisions for the purchase of snow removal equipment for the Lincoln Airport. House Bill 5, the Long-Range Building Appropriations bill, includes provisions for a building to house the snow removal equipment.

The Montana Aeronautics Division is investigating the potential for a backcountry air strip training program to support pilots in learning and practicing the necessary skills for backcountry flying, said Conway. Lincoln could be a possible training location for this project if it moves forward.

During the meeting, members voiced various concerns about airport safety and ways to share that information with the community. The biggest concern seemed to be ensuring people stay off the runway. This can pose a large threat for pilots and civilians alike as pilots aren't looking for people on the runway as they land and take off. Similar concerns about wildlife on the runway brought up the imperative of ensuring all airport gates are closed.

At the same time, LAF members discussed a desire to ensure that the airport continues to be viewed as a welcoming and inviting place for the community. As part of that, the LAF hosts an annual fly-in on the fourth Saturday in July. This year, the event is scheduled for July 24, from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., with a potluck BBQ from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The LAF also voted to sponsor any Lincoln youth who apply and are accepted to attend the Aviation Career Education Academy.

Montana's ACE Academy, which is co-sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration, is scheduled for June 25-27 in Helena. Registration is expected to open sometime this month.