MORGANTOWN AIRPORT
Annual Report 2000

WE ARE PREPARED

Aircraft being removed from the runway after crash-landing 12/02/00.

The Airport Triennial Exercise provided the needed training for Airport readiness in the real life emergencies of December 2, 2000, when a pilot was forced to crash land at the Morgantown Airport because his landing gear failed to function properly. This pilot made a choice to land at the Morgantown Airport because of the runway space and the emergency readiness of Airport personnel. Another similar incident occurred on January 16,1999, when a pilot failed to engage his landing gear and skidded to a stop on the runway.

INTRODUCTION

The Morgantown Municipal Airport provides safe, efficient air transportation for the residents of Morgantown and surrounding communities. Mesa/USAirways Express provides 7 flights daily between Morgantown and Pittsburgh and 2 flights to Washington, D.C.

Transportation from the Airport to the community is available through the Mountain Line Bus System, Taxi Company, and two rental car agencies located in the Airport terminal. A third car rental agency may be in place in the near future. The terminal is wheel chair accessible with ramps and two elevators, and passengers have wheelchair access to the aircraft via a chair lift.

Airport management is responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of the entire Airport 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Executing Federal Grants of over $1 million each year for the next three consecutive years.
• Ensuring the operational readiness 24 hours a day for the runways and taxiways; parking aprons and access roads including pavement integrity; lighting; signage and grounds maintenance; snow removal; wildlife control; paving; and painting.
• Ensuring the safety and security of the traveling public and of the employees of all tenants at the Airport.
• Maintaining the terminal and maintenance buildings, aircraft hangars, parking areas, and all facilities located at the Airport.
• Maintenance and safe operation of 17 vehicles, including the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) equipment, snow removal vehicles, and fuel line trucks.
• Providing training for and the monitoring of personnel to assure they are qualified and informed in Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting operations, safe vehicle operations, and other safety and security issues unique to an airport and fuel line safety operations.
• Administrating and monitoring contracts and leases with airport tenants and organizations.
• Developing, funding, and implementing strategic plans for airport improvement projects that continually improve and upgrade the Airport.
• Managing the Fix Base Operations (FBO) servicing aircraft with fuel, prist, oil, pilot supplies, catering, rental cars, and hotel reservations.
• Provide aircraft fuel and emergency support 24 hours daily.

  The Airport's major goal is to expand the current foundation of services, steering the Airport into the future as a partner in economic development for the Greater Morgantown Area. The Airport will continually strive to improve safety, security, efficiency, and monitor national trends and passenger needs in meeting these objectives.

CURRENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

The following services are available at the Morgantown Municipal Airport:

• Morgantown Municipal Airport Fixed Base Operations provide aircraft fuel, pilot supplies, and manage hangar rentals. Fuel costs at MGW are regionally and nationally competitive.
• Commuter air service between Morgantown, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. is available via USAirways Express.
• The Air Traffic Control Tower provides aircraft guidance from 7 am to 11 pm, 7 days a week.
• Avis and Hertz Rental Car Agencies have offices located in the terminal and have vehicles located on the Airport grounds.
• Aunt Patty's Landing, the restaurant located in the terminal building, features daily fresh baked goods, specialty items such as wedding cakes, and provides catering and banquet services.
• Air Corps Services provides corporate and private aircraft storage and maintenance.
• Brant Motor Sports promotes and markets motor-sports sponsorships, souvenirs, and personal appearances.
• A C Express offers private pilot, commercial, and instrument flight training in a Cessna 172 [multi-engine training is also available].
• The Civil Air Patrol provides training, search, and rescue services.
• Forty (40) T-hangars are available for rent.
• Free long and short-term parking for passenger convenience.
• The Instrument Landing System and radio-controlled Airfield Lighting System provide aircraft with the capability of landing safely when the tower is not in operation.

RESOURCES

MGW has eleven full time personnel who manage, maintain, and service the Airport and the FBO. Airport personnel provide maintenance for the main terminal, airfield and grounds, hangars, all other buildings, and the equipment and vehicles necessary to provide maintenance and repairs. The employees also provide assistance to the Airport tenants and their operations.

The Airport possesses several pieces of equipment for safety, security, and maintenance of the runways, taxiways, roads, and grounds.

• The ARFF (Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting) truck is capable of discharging 150 gallons per minute of water or foam in the event of an accident or fire.
• The Oshkosh Snowblower moves 400 tons of snow per hour.
• The Snowblast/Sicard Runway Broom is used to clear snow and slush from the runways and taxiways.
• The large Ford Snowplow is also equipped with a rear chemical discharge unit.
• In addition, the Airport utilizes several pieces of farm equipment for snow removal, maintaining the grounds, clearing brush, and cutting grass.
• Two Line Fuel trucks are used for AV Gas and Jet Fuel.

REVIEW OF PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES

• The Year 2000 began with a safety check of all Airport equipment for Y2K compliance.
• The annual Airport Compliance and Certification Inspection was conducted in May. Everything passed in top order with not one significant problem identified.
• The Morgantown Municipal Airport secured $2.3 million in FAA grants to overlay Runway 18/36 and install a new perimeter fence along the property line.
• From October 1, 1999, through September 30, 2000, (FAA Fiscal Year), MGW assisted 39,046 passengers arriving and departing the Airport. During the same period, the Air Traffic Control Tower reported 50,048 aircraft operations (an aircraft operation is one takeoff or landing). The aircraft operations include commercial, military, and private or corporate aircraft.
• The aircraft taxiway between the outside T-Hangers and the Airport maintenance facility was paved. The area in front of the newly installed gate by the WVU Hanger was also paved.
• Beginning August 21, 2000, Runway 18/36 was repaired and paved with new bases and a wear coat of asphalt. Painting and grooving the runway were accomplished in the fall.
• Distinguished visitors to the Morgantown Municipal Airport in 2000, included Vice President Al Gore, Governor George W. Bush, All American basketball star Jerry West and his family, Racecar Driver Rusty Wallace, and Newscaster Walter Cronkite.
• On October 8, 2000, a plaque was dedicated honoring the late Charles Whiston, Jr., a most distinguished gentleman and pilot for West Virginia University for over thirty years.
• On October 14, 2000, the Triennial Exercise was held, a countywide mock disaster exercise involving 12 fire and rescue support agencies for the Airport in case of an emergency. Monongalia General and Ruby Memorial Hospitals participated in testing their trauma readiness.
• The Annual Balloon Festival was held at the Airport the weekend of October 27, 28, and 29.
• In August, the Confederate Air Force brought 2 WWII Bombers, a B-17, and a German Heinkle 111, to the Airport for static display.
• All Airport personnel received fire training at the Pittsburgh International Airport Fire Training Center.
• To remove obstructions and assist with the control of deer and other wildlife on the Airport, 175 acres of timber was sold for $408,523. Timber operations began in mid November 2000.
• The Morgantown Municipal Airport Web Site is presently being updated and can be viewed at www.morgantownairport.com.

FORECAST FOR THE COMING YEAR

Activities planned for 2001 include:

• Completion of the perimeter fence project.
• Alpha Associates, the Airport consulting engineers, will begin design work for the new Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Building, extension of Taxiway "A" to the south end of Runway 18/36, and a safety extension for Runway 18/36.
• Construction of the new ARFF Facility.
• Plan improvements to the southeast side of Runway 5/23, including the reclamation of the abandoned strip and deep mines and the addition of water and sewage for future development of corporate hangars.
• Additional T-Hangars on the east side of the general aviation apron.
• Purchase of two new vehicles and one tractor.
• Purchase and installation of a security camera system for the terminal area.
• Procurement of a $10,000 grant for the Civil Air Patrol.

SUMMARY

Beginning with Y2K, the year 2000 has been momentous for the Morgantown Municipal Airport. Through hard work and planning, the Airport was able to secure $2.3 million in Federal Grants. This money was used for the rehabilitation of Runway 18/36 and installation of the new perimeter fence. These two projects will greatly improve the safety and security of the Airport.

On November 1, 2000, the Airport took over operation of the Fixed Base Operator giving the Airport operational control of the fuel service and hangar rentals. As the Fixed Base Operator, the Airport management will now have the financial flexibility to address improvements needed to the T-hangars and terminal office space. Not only will the Airport see a profit from fuels sales but also the expanded work force provides the Airport complete coverage by Airport employees during operational hours. This improves safety and security of the Airport for fire protection and a presence of Airport personnel for the traveling public.

During the annual certification inspection, consideration was given to the possible obstructions created by some of the trees surrounding the runways. A decision was made to eliminate all the trees [avoiding problems in the future] and expediting the development of the east side of the Airport. The Airport received $408,523 from the sale of this timber.

As the rehabilitation of the runway is completed and the perimeter fence project is beginning, the Airport will begin design and planning for the construction of the new Airport Rescue Fire Fighting Building. This building will house the Airport Fire Truck and the management offices and be located where the former Flight Service Station once sat. Completion of the building is expected by October 2001. Design will also begin on the extension of Taxiway "A" to the south end of Runway 18/36 and, by direction of the FAA, the Airport will provide a cost estimate study on the expansion of the safety areas located on both ends of Runway 18/36.

In April, 1999, the US Navy vacated almost 11,000 square feet of office space in the basement of the Airport Terminal Building. Before vacating, the Navy had been a tenant of the Airport since the 1960's. This space is now available for rent and features its own heating and air conditioning systems. In addition, the space is secure and has emergency power capabilities by way of a kerosene powered generator system.

Graph of Airport Operations
Graph of Passengers
Graph of Aircraft Operations


MORGANTOWN MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
TOTAL PASSENGERS
	MGW	MGW	TOTAL	DCA	PITT	TOTAL	GRAND	0%
YEAR	DCA	PIT	ENPL	MGW	MGW	DEPL	TOTAL	INC/DEC
1990	1177	20722	21899	1254	20238	21492	43391
1991	1497	21892	23389	1675	21185	22860	46249	6%
1992	3472	20857	24329	3247	20599	23846	48175	4%
1993	3710	23272	26982	3249	23508	26757	53739	10%
1994	4133	19508	23641	3520	20430	23950	47591	-13%
1995	3075	17984	21059	2937	17845	20782	41841	-14%
1996	3546	19100	22646	3203	19016	22219	44865	7%
1997	3544	21268	24812	5439	22609	28048	52860	15%
1998	4050	19476	23526	7182	21741	28923	52449	-1%
1999	3791	17753	21544	4243	18353	22596	44140	-19%
2000 YTD	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
AVERAGE INCREASE/(DECREASE):								-0%

Summary of Airport Passengers