MAF takes off

MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT The new project planned for Midland International Airport won't get you to your destination any faster, nor will it give travelers more destinations to choose from.

It probably won't even make your time at the airport more enjoyable. But, if it doesn't happen, you might someday wish it had.

The airport recently received $2.525 million in federal grants for infrastructure and safety improvements. Midland airports director Marv Esterly said improvements to Runway 16 Right/34 Left, the airport's longest, would be a priority with the funds.

The top 2 inches of the 9,501-foot-long runway, which hasn't been resurfaced since the late 1980s, would be reconstructed, Esterly said.

While bids on the project will still go out, and Esterly looks to start construction soon after the Sept. 20-21 Fina-CAF Airsho, more money will be needed.

The airport is hoping to receive $3.2 million in federal discretionary funds, Esterly said.

"We have no idea whether they'll have any discretionary money, but we're right there with our hands out," he said.

If the airport doesn't receive additional funding, Esterly said the work could be done in phases, with work on the runway's northern end starting sooner.

It's important to get started on the work soon in order to avoid a back up in projects, he said.

"We think it's better to do it this way than to wait a year," he said.

While the runway is now in good shape, Esterly said problems could arise in the future if water were to get into the base of the runway. And that would take more time to repair.

"It's all part of our preventative maintenance," he said. "We want to make sure we don't have any safety issues."

While the airport gets to work on the large runway project, Esterly hopes to use some of the federal grant money for lighting improvements. He said the runway lighting system hasn't been upgraded since the early 1990s.

The airport would also like to enter the design phase on improvements to 8,300-foot Runway 1028, which Esterly hopes to start resurfacing next year.

Stephan Brown, president and chief executive officer of the Commemorative Air Force, said having quality runways matters in running a successful air show.

He was also thankful the airport is waiting until after Airsho 2008 to make the improvements.

"We couldn't be happier and more appreciative," he said.

Also a pilot, Brown said he knows what it's like to land at small county airports with grass growing on the runway and debris that gets into the plane's propeller. He's happy that doesn't happen at Midland.

"(Maintenance is) very critical," he said. "It's very important to safety and the appearance of airplanes."