INTRODUCTION

The Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW) has been in continuous existence since 1937. The goal of the Airport is to provide safe, efficient air transportation in and out of Morgantown and the surrounding community.

U.S. Airways Express serves the Morgantown Municipal Airport flying to and from Pittsburgh and Washington on a daily basis with commuter service. Rental cars, short and long term parking (at no charge), taxicab, and the county bus service are also available.

Airport management is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of the Morgantown Municipal Airport. Specific requirements include:

• Ensuring the operational readiness of two runways and associated taxiways in accordance with Federal and State regulations. Maintenance includes pavement integrity, lighting and ground maintenance, snow removal, and wildlife control.
• Maintaining all airport facilities including the terminal building, parking areas, aircraft hangers, and equipment maintenance buildings.
• Operating and maintaining 15 vehicles that include the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting equipment and three snow removal vehicles.
• Training and maintaining personnel to be qualified in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting operations.
• Administrating contracts and leases with airport tenants.
• Developing, funding, and implementing strategic plans for future airport development and improvement.

CURRENT PROGRAMS/SERVICES

The following services are available at the MGW

• U.S. Air Express - Commuter flight service to/from Washington, D.C. and Pittsburgh, PA
• Avis and Hertz Rental Cars
• Aero Services - Fixed Base Operator providing Avgas and jet fuel and hangar rentals.

Fuel cost at MGW is competitive region wide and nationally. Today, prices at MGW are $1.92 for Jet A and $2.01 for Avgas

• Air Corps Services, Inc. - corporate and private aircraft storage and maintenance
• Brant Motor Services - a race team and motor sports marketing organization [sponsorships, souvenirs, personal appearances, and advertising]
• 40 rental T hangars
• Aunt Patty's Landing - Restaurant featuring daily fresh baked goods
• Civil Air Patrol - Search and Rescue services
• Federal Aviation Administration's contracted tower supports MGW from 7 am to 11pm, 7 days per week

RESOURCES

Personnel

MGW has six full time employees managing and servicing the airport.

Finances

FY 98-99 Operating Budget is $372,784 which represents an increase of 0.95 percent over last year's budget.

FAA Grants	FY 98	$435,163
	FY 99	* $900,500
WV Aeronautics Commission Grants	FY 98	$13,263
	FY 99	* $24,885
Passenger Facility Charge	FY 98	$35,088
	FY 99	* $74,655

* includes carryover

REVIEW OF PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES

• Main entrance facelift and paved access roads to the airport, FBO, and WVU hangar
• Planned street lighting along Hart Field Drive for safety, security, and appearance
• Purchased radio communication system allowing employees to better communicate in emergencies and to better manage time during general airport operations
• Negotiated with local businesses to construct new hangars
• Opened lines of communications between airport personnel and the airport tenants thus establishing a teamwork approach
• MGW identified and targeted markets for increased revenues [travel agencies, limousine service, bus and improved ground transportation, and retail businesses]
• Provided educational public tours of the airport
• Informed the public about airport schedules and services

Intergovernmental Relations

Morgantown Airport has better utilized resources available through the City government in 1998. The airport vehicles have received exceptional service through the city garage. The Street Department provides assistance in moving and removing large and unusual objects at the airport. Morgantown Fire Department provides inspection and training for the fire fighting readiness of all airport personnel. Morgantown Police Department assists with regular patrols of airport facilities. The City Engineering Department provided manpower for the removal of trees and brush along the path of approach for the runway lights. The City Finance Department has provided assistance with the administration of the airport budget and grants.

Senator Rockefeller, Representative Mollohan, and the WV Airport Managers Association (WVAMA) influenced the airlines to set reasonable fares and to reestablish the supersaver advance purchase ticket to increase MGW- PIT- DCA flights with fewer flight delays.

Morgantown Airport Accomplishments Over The Past Year:

Morgantown Municipal Airport has:

• Upgraded the regular and special purpose vehicle fleet and the computers and on-line service/information with an expanded airport Web Site (currently under construction)
• Refined the airport public lounge adding a television and new furnishings and enhanced airport housekeeping
• New carpet and furnishings in the restaurant and conference room
• T-hangars and corporate hangars are now fire and safety compliant, as approved by the State Fire Marshal, with cooperation from the Fix Base Operations (FBO) and City Inspection and Fire Department personnel
• Underwent the 1998 annual FAA airport certification and inspection with outstanding results
• Increased airport profits due to revenues from timber sale and Balloon Festival
• Negotiated transfer of ownership of the old FAA Flight Service Station building to the City of Morgantown. The FAA provided $200,000 to raze the building and perform asbestos abatement.
• Constructed a new disability bus access point on the north side of terminal
• Terminal landscape improvements
• Aero Services have expanded their employment at the airport to better serve the customers needs.
• Studied the development of the East End of the airport for corporate hangars and transportation related businesses for prospective new tenants
• Worked with landscape architect students at WVU designing long range plans and improvements for the airport
• Expanded advertising opportunities for local businesses at the airport
• Morgantown Municipal Airport joined the High Tech Consortium
• Partnered with WVU for expanded educational opportunities in landscape architecture, airport management, transportation, and aeronautics

Morgantown Airport Capital Improvements: Providing safety, security, and better service.

• Improved Taxiway Lighting
• Improved Runway Lighting and Signs
• Rehabilitated Taxiway C
• Rehabilitated General Aviation Apron
• Expanded Public Parking
• Performed necessary Apron and Runway Maintenance
• Repaired Heating and Air Conditioning Unit in the Terminal
• Environmental Improvements to the Emergency Generator

FORECAST FOR THE COMING YEAR

Morgantown Municipal Airport will pursue a number of major activities in 1999.

• Asphalt overlay for Taxiway A
• Rehabilitate Runway 18/36
• Refurbish Perimeter Fencing
• Double the current number of T-hangars at MGW
• Improve the northeast access road for better access to I-68

These projects will assure the continued safety of the airport. MGW will also continue to look for additional opportunities to improve the customer base and service at the airport.

SUMMARY

The Morgantown Municipal Airport had great success in 1998. Capital improvements included the upgrading of the terminal passenger area and management offices. The extensive resurfacing of all the access roads and the general aviation apron greatly improved the appearance and the function of the airport.

The need to correct FAA violations at the airport resulted in a timber sale for a profit. The FAA violation required the elimination of a visual restriction resulting from the trees along runway 5/23. The sale of the timber resulted in a monetary gain to the airport.

Through the Airport Improvement Program, the airport will add $438,000 of improvements to the general aviation apron; the main access road; and the WVU hangar access road.

In 1998, the airport had to deal with two unexpected capital outlays. The terminal building's heating and air conditioning unit was extensively overhauled. An environmental concern was identified and corrected with the airport's emergency generator.

Air passenger service as well as the general aviation and military landings and takeoffs increased in 1998. These are positive signs of the growing recognition MGW is receiving from the traveling public. The Airport is continually working to inform the public of the convenience and time saving commuter travel that the Morgantown Municipal Airport provides.

In 1998, the City of Morgantown acquired the old Flight Service Building (FSS) and a $200,000 payment by the FAA for the buildings razing and asbestos abatement. Planning for the future, the elimination of this FSS building could provide needed open space for the construction of an Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting facility.

Future planning for airport development will mean diversifying business opportunities; exploring land development opportunities; and airport expansion projects. Through continued City and community support, the Morgantown Municipal Airport will be a key partner for economic development throughout the region. At the dawn of the new millennium the Morgantown Municipal Airport is ready to provide the transportation needs of the greater Morgantown Area.