“Back in 2009, we decided where we wanted the tower to go and placed utilities and roadways to preserve the site so that nothing would be constructed under or near it,” says White. Tarryn Little, project manager for RS&H, says the firm was involved from the beginning-assisting with the FAA application, helping secure funds, performing the site study and modifying the Airport Layout Plan. Airport officials worked diligently with the state legislature and Department of Transportation for a $2.4 million grant, recalls White. The airport proceeded with a redevelopment program that included a new passenger terminal building, an executive terminal and other facilities while continuing to strategize about adding a tower.īy 2014, the program gained forward momentum, and OAJ solidified funding commitments and began siting and environmental work with consultant RS&H. The airport’s application was accepted one year later, but the project stalled due to a program slowdown, weak economy and lack of funding. “You have to prove it has more benefit than cost.” “You have to go through a complex benefit-cost analysis to be accepted into the program,” White says. “You mix higher-speed commercial aircraft with slower-speed military aircraft, and then add in corporate and general aviation aircraft, and you have an interesting mix that benefits from a tower as far as separation and efficiencies for aircraft coming and going.”Īirport officials began the tower project in 2008 by submitting a formal application for a contract tower to the FAA. “But we also have Marine Corps charters and several squadrons of V-22 Osprey that come to OAJ to train,” he says. The airport averages 106 daily operations-mostly from passenger aircraft and slow-moving rotor aircraft. White explains that it was essential for OAJ to have a tower because of its proximity to Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base with 50,000 active duty troops, and Marine Corps Air Station New River. “It’s good for safety, it’s good for taxpayers and it provides more air traffic efficiencies throughout the system,” he explains. “Without this program, OAJ wouldn’t have a tower,” he states.ĭickerson says that over the past 15 to 20 years, the program has added air traffic control service at 150 previously non-towered airports. Contract Tower Association, an FAA-staffed tower can cost three times more than a tower staffed by an outside contractor. According to Spencer Dickerson of the American Association of Airport Executives/U.S. White estimates it will cost the airport about $25,000 per year to operate the building (insurance, electric utilities, refuse/janitorial services, etc.).īecause of the costs, OAJ was not on track to have an FAA-staffed tower. The remaining funds came from passenger facility charges. The $6 million construction cost was partially paid for with $2 million in FAA Airport Improvement Program entitlements and $2.4 million from the North Carolina Department of Transportation-Division of Aviation. Split Costs: Airport covers design/construction costs & ongoing building operation expenses FAA pays cost of contract controllersīuilding Contractor: Daniels & Daniels ConstructionĬommunications Consultant Responsible for Specifying Minimum Equipment List: CTBX Aviation Group Ellis Airport-Richlands, NCįunding: $2 million from FAA Airport Improvement Program $2.4 million from state of North Carolina $1.4 million from passenger facility charges This removes that restriction for Albert J. Some aircraft operators restrict the size of aircraft that can operate in an airport that is non-towered. “More planes can now come and go during heavy traffic hours, and it opens the airport to accept larger and more air carrier operations, more cargo and more general operations. “This new tower enhances safety and improves efficiencies during busy periods,” says OAJ Airport Director Chris White, A.A.E. As such, OAJ paid to construct the tower (with help from state funds and federal grants) and foots its ongoing maintenance costs FAA pays the salaries of the contract controllers who work there. Ellis Airport (OAJ) finally has its own air traffic control tower-a six-story, $6 million structure that officials hope will increase airspace efficiency and bring more air service to the small airport on the eastern coast of North Carolina.Ĭommissioned in November 2018, the new facility is the 256th tower operating under the U.S.
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