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County airport moving weather station

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Washington County Airport’s weather-reporting system is on its way to a $100,000 upgrade from the Federal Aviation Administration.

The automated weather observation station, long located in a valley that is removed somewhat from the 5,000-foot runway, will be moved to a new site next to the centrally located instrument landing system’s glide-slope antenna.

The county and the redevelopment authority, through the use of funds from the Local Share Account revenue from gambling at The Meadows Racetrack & Casino, will be responsible for providing proper drainage for the new location and building a pad for the FAA-acquired weather-reporting equipment, which the federal agency will install.

The valley location may not properly reflect sky conditions at the airport. “It’s down over the hill,” said William McGowen, executive director of the redevelopment authority. “When it gets foggy, it gets foggy down there first. The new AWOS that we’re getting is doing that same kind of reporting, but we’ll add moisture conditions and what kind of precipitation, whether it’s raining or snowing.”

The AWOS has its own phone number, 724-228-3529.

In other recent developments related to the airport, the commissioners approved new, 20-year leases with T&T Aviation and Aeronational Inc. and related commercial agreements that began June 1.

The privilege fee for the commercial agreements is 56 cents per square foot with increases in 2019 based on the Consumer Price Index.

Aeronational’s land lease is for 24,416 square feet while the lease with T&T Aviation is for 16,518 square feet including outdoor aircraft parking. Last month, the commissioners authorized the purchase of an avigation easement on the Svetich property, Mounts Road, Buffalo Township, for $15,500. An avigation easement is a property right acquired from a land owner which protects the use of air space above a specified height and aims to keep clear areas pilots need for visibility.

According to the AirNav.com website, which lists information from the FAA, 85 aircraft are based at Washington County Airport including 55 single-engine planes, 16 multi-engine planes, 11 jets and three helicopters. The airport is in its 70th year of operation three miles south of Washington in North and South Franklin townships.

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