Airport fuel sales are double last year’s figures

The most recent meeting of the Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board focused the majority of their discussions on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“We plan on moving forward with the third phase of the fuel tank installation in the next fiscal year, along with some much-needed repairs to a couple of the oldest hangar rows,” airport manager Dean Selby said after the meeting,

Hangar Rows A and B were built, along with the initial construction of the airport, in the 1970s and, according to Selby, are showing their age.

“If we plan to reskin the building and the doors, along with repairing the door tracks, we should be able to extend the life of this asset by many years,” Selby said.

He said repairs were an alternative to waiting and eventually being forced into a situation that would require replacing the entire buildings.

The board agreed with Selby’s suggestion, and the decision was made to begin researching the scope of work that would be required and the associated costs.

The board also heard an update on the Airport Layout Plan project, which is nearing completion.

According to Selby, during the recent 90 percent meeting with the state, they found that there were a few additional items that the state and the FAA requested be included or changed. Once these are items have been addressed and the state and the airport board are satisfied with the plan, it will be sent for final approval to the FAA.

“We are seeing continuing growth that will cause more construction and improvements to airport property,” Selby said. “This plan establishes the areas of the airport where this will be focused.”

As proof of the airport’s recent growth, fuel sales have shown significant growth in both the Jet A fuel and Avgas available at Upper Cumberland Regional Airport.

Jet A fuel sales increased from 2,620 gallons, in March 2020, to 5,550 gallons, in March 2021, and Avgas increased from 10,775 to 11,617 gallons for the same period.

“Fuel sales continue to support the growth we have projected,” Selby said.

The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport board meets on the second Tuesday of each month, with the next meeting being scheduled for May 11.