Airport's Former Chairman Honored

Aug. 20, 2014
A new corporate-size hangar at the Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport was dedicated Tuesday in honor of former Chairman F. Dale Schoeneman

Aug. 20--MOUNT PLEASANT -- A new corporate-size hangar at the Schuylkill County Joe Zerbey Airport was dedicated Tuesday in honor of a former airport authority board chairman.

While opening the hangar doors, authority Chairman Craig Shields and former Chairman F. Dale Schoeneman pulled off a tarp covering the dedication plaque. It took Schoeneman a few moments to realize that it was his name on the plaque and notice his family members behind the hangar doors.

"I'm speechless," Schoeneman said.

Shields said the board wanted to honor Schoeneman and thank him for his leadership.

"He spent 35 years of his life on the authority," Shields said. "It's a well-deserved honor."

Schoeneman served as board chairman for 35 years before turning the responsibilities over to Shields earlier this year.

"It goes without saying that I love this airport," Schoeneman said. "I believe in aviation."

Schoeneman thanked the people who supported the airport over the years and said the facility was built with the intention of bringing industry to Schuylkill County.

"I think that has been happening ever since," he said. "I believe this is an investment for the future and it's a privilege to have been part of that team to make it happen."

Construction on the new 96-by-83-foot hangar started in May and was completed earlier this month. With a 24-foot-high clearance, the hangar allows the airport to accommodate much larger aircraft than it could previously handle.

"It takes it to the next level," Shields said. "It's a nice corporate jet hangar."

Previously, the largest hangar at the airport was 66 by 80 feet with a clearance of 15 feet, 8 inches. It also had a folding door, which took up additional space. The new hangar has a sliding door.

"This is a new direction for the airport," Bill Willard, airport manager, said. "It makes it more marketable. It's up to the imagination what can be done here. It's a new direction and a new day here."

The hangar cost about $925,000 and was paid with multiple state grants and a local match from the airport. The general contractor on the project was Dolan Construction, Reading, while Albarell Electric Inc., Pottsville, is taking care of the electrical work and Sycamore Mechanical Contractors, Phoenixville, was responsible for mechanical work.

Following the dedication ceremony, the airport's Tactical Advisory Committee had its final meeting regarding updates to the master plan for the airport. The 20-year plan includes potential projects phased over three time frames to help the state Bureau of Aviation organize funding and it can change.

Short-term plans scheduled between 2014-17 include the development of a wildlife hazard assessment and prevention plan, construction of a perimeter fence, terminal and taxiway improvements and other environmental assessments for potential projects.

The perimeter fence is designed to keep wildlife, mainly deer, off the runways. Willard said the current fence does not surround the facility. While there has not been many issues with deer, Willard said it will prevent issues from happening.

The estimated cost for all the short-term projects is $8,090,000.

The airport has already received $365,000 in state grants for the taxiway project, which will start Monday.

Mid-term projects scheduled for 2018-22 include extending the runway from 4,599 to 5,100 feet, constructing a new corporate hangar similar to the latest addition at the airport, and another six-unit T-shaped hangar for smaller aircraft. The total cost for those potential projects is $5,067,000.

Long-term projects for 2023-33 include acquiring easements for use of airspace and runway protection zones for an estimated $675,000.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new hangar with Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Barry J. Schoch will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at the airport.

Copyright 2014 - Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.