U.C. Regional Airport runs out of hangar space

Growth in area leaves 45 people on waiting list

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Upper Cumberland Regional Airport’s October meeting was about progress, growth, and the future as several improvements and projects were discussed.

Airport manager Dean Selby told the board that the airport’s new communications frequency became operational earlier in the month.

“We have already seen an improvement in the ability to communicate with aircraft with the reduction of clutter on the old frequency from surrounding airports,” Selby said and explained that the new frequency puts UCRA on a different frequency from all other airports within approximately 100 miles.

Another upgrade the airport is experiencing will help them stay ahead of both increasing demands from their customers as well as environmental constraints. The airport has been working on their jet fuel farm project for several months and reported this month that construction has finally started, with the beginning of the concrete work.

“The in-ground tanks are around 30 years old, and the driving force behind this project was environmental first, followed closely by the need for increased capacity,” Selby explained, saying the airport and board felt it was pertinent to stay ahead of any potential environmental impacts from the aging in-ground fuel farm they are currently using. “The new tanks will be above ground and will be in a containment area due to the proximity to the wetlands east of the airport.”

As a sign of growth in the area, Selby reported that the airport has run out of hangar space and is in immediate need of finding a solution.

“The airport has seen an explosion in requests for T-hangars,” he told the board, adding that they have had to wait-list of approximately 45 people. “This equates to turning around people that are looking at the area to relocate. This could be a hinderance to new business as many of the business leaders own and operate aircraft for personal and business travel.”

Selby said the airport has begun exploring options for building additional facilities to increase their capacity but have run into roadblocks with Tennessee Department of Transportation funding assistance.

“We are therefore exploring the possibility of a private-public partnership to build new facilities,” he reported. “Right now, we are just looking at the options that may be on the table and what the return on investment would be long term.

Before the meeting was adjourned, the board also heard updates on the repair status of the water leak in row G/H, demolition quotes for the abandoned house on airport property, the box hangar self-inspection, fuel flowage fee review, and the hangar 2 meeting room updates, which included painting, flooring, and furniture updates.

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