The Municipal Airport is administered as
a department of the Division of Public Works. The Airport Manager, John
Benzinger, provides on-site management from the airport terminal. He
coordinates the public use of the field and determines maintenance
requirements.
Todd Tarlton, of Gateway Air Service, assists the Airport Manager as
Assistant Manager.
The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Airport is categorized as a General Utility
Airport. The 5,000 x 100 foot main runway 9/27 can accommodate all
general aviation business aircraft. A 2,500 x 160 foot turf cross-wind
runway is also available for general aviation aircraft.
The main runway (9/27) is equipped with medium intensity runway
lights. (MIRL), and runway end identifier light (REIL). A visual
approach slope indicator (PAPI) system is also available.
Aircraft fuel is available 24 hours a day through the self-service
fueling system for both Jet and piston aircraft. Fueling service is
available on an on-call basis.
A large span corporate hangar is available for overnight storage of
transient corporate aircraft. A Gulfstream capable on demand corporate hangar is available
for overnight storage of transient corporate aircraft. Lav
services also available for all corporate aircraft.
There are 32 T-hangars at the field for rent, which are owned by the
City. In addition, eight (8) aircraft are located in corporate hangars
at the Airport. These based aircraft have an estimated aviation-related
economic impact of $80,000 per year to the Airport and the community.
An Automated Weather Observation System, (AWOS), is located on the
Airport. This facility provides real time, on-site weather conditions
at the airport. This information is available to aircraft via the VOR
frequency and is a FAA requirement for any Part 135 (on-demand charter
operations) operating in or out of the airport. A weather room in the
terminal building is available to initiate flight planning procedures.
This system consists of a computer screen for on-site conditions, an
up-link computer for national and global weather conditions, and a
computer text screen for text written forecast information provided by
the National Weather Service.
The AWOS information is available to citizens by phoning 773-2885 and
is also displayed on the cable TV weather and local channels.
In an effort to meet the services needed in our increased corporate
jet traffic, the airport has tow bar heads to handle Lear Jets, King
Airs, Cessna Citations, Falcon 100 series aircraft and other standard
models. The airport also has a utility tractor to be used as a tug for
the above-mentioned aircraft. A ground power unit called a BattPac is
available to provide auxiliary power to all types of corporate aircraft,
assisting them in cold weather starts, overnight starts, and fuel
transferring power needs.
The Street Department provides grass mowing, storm sewer, and
specialized maintenance not performed by the airport managers.
Snowplowing is provided by private contractors on a bid basis.
Construction requirements at the airport are generally designed and
inspected by the Engineering Department.
