San Manuel Miner

The San Manuel Airport has announced plans to expand the airport and is holding public meetings to share plans and receive public input about the master plan for the airport. The first of a series of meetings was held on Wednesday, July 16 at the airport’s terminal building. Interested members of the Public met with Jim Petty, Pinal County Airport Economic Development Department and representatives of Dibble Engineering who are involved in the project.

The master plan projects 20 years of anticipated growth and expansion projects. Some of the projects for the 2014-2016 plans include building more hangars, a fuel containment sump, runway and taxiway rehabilitation, access road relocation and land acquisition. The projects are paid for by Federal and state grants. There are currently 37 based aircraft at the airport. This includes 15 planes owners from San Manuel, 7 in Oracle, 2 from Catalina and 11 from the Tucson area. There is a waiting list of 20 plane owners looking for a hangar. It is anticipated that with more growth in Tucson that plane owners may want to relocate to fly in and out of San Manuel. Thirty five percent of the landings and take offs at the airport are from people living out of the area. There will be a number of meetings announced by Pinal County throughout the year. You can view the plans at the project website www.nicholaspela.com/E77/welcome.html.

John Hernandez (785 Posts)

John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.

by

by