June 10--The Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport's control tower is in good shape to remain open and funded through Sept. 30, 2015, officials said Monday.
The latest funding push for the tower program is part of the annual appropriations process.
The appropriations committees in both U.S. congressional chambers have included funding in their bills for the Federal Aviation Administration's contract control tower program. Both the U.S. House and Senate now need to take floor votes on their respective bills and then to agree on one appropriations bill.
"Obviously, we're in much better shape than last year when we had the threat to close 149 towers," said Spencer Dickerson, executive director of the U.S. Contract Tower Association, which is an affiliate of the American Association of Airport Executives. "This is both dedicated and statutory funding which locks in the funds."
Dickerson said it has been strong support from Democrats and Republicans in both the House and Senate that has put the program in good shape for funding.
"This bipartisan and bicameral support has raised the consciousness of the role the contract towers play in aviation safety," Dickerson said.
Full funding for the contract control tower program has been a question mark each year since the spring of 2013, when the federal government passed the automatic and across-the-board budget cuts known as sequestration. In that round of cuts, about 149 of 252 control towers in small-to-medium airports were in danger of closing -- including Owensboro's.
Lobbying efforts to keep the towers open have proven successful each year since then.
Airport Director Bob Whitmer and the airport board have said the control tower is a centerpiece in maintaining existing flight services and attracting another carrier, as well as for growing general aviation services.
"This is absolutely positive news for the airport," Whitmer said. "And I understand the tower program received a wave of support from the House and Senate with strong support from Sen. (Mitch) McConnell and Sen. (Rand) Paul and (U.S. Rep.) Hal Rogers, as well."
Lobbying local, state and federal elected officials to advocate for control tower funding is one of the airport board's primary objectives for 2013-14, Whitmer said. The board also has other related objectives, including boosting its general aviation numbers by having more private aircraft owners at the airport, getting more pilots to use the airport and trying to recruit flight schools, he said.
"If you don't have enough general aviation activity, you can lose your control tower for that reason, as well," Whitmer said.
Six air traffic controllers who are paid directly by the FAA operate the towers from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. -- 365 days per year, Whitmer said.
Joy Campbell, 691-7299, [email protected]
Copyright 2014 - Messenger-Inquirer, Owensboro, Ky.
