July 25--The Fort Smith Airport Commission Tuesday authorized the establishment of a third aircraft maintenance business at the Fort Smith Regional Airport.
A request by Flint Pulis, owner and operator of Franklin County Aviation LLC, to rent space in a hangar at the airport was unanimously approved by the commission at its monthly meeting.
Pulis started the business in 2011 and currently operates at the Ozark Franklin County Airport. He said in a letter to the commission he is making the move because many of his customers are based at the Fort Smith airport.
Pulis was formerly associated with Fort Smith Aviation Services, a company that performs similar services and operates out of another hangar at the airport.
TAC Air, another company offering aircraft services at the airport, questioned the application. General Manager Carol McNally said in a letter two aircraft maintenance businesses are already in operation, which "adequately serve" local aviation traffic.
"An additional maintenance provider will only serve to weaken those existing businesses without adding any new essential service to the aviation community," McNally wrote.
Airport Director John Parker told commission members minimum standards for the commercial aeronautical activities at the airport provide for approval of an application unless the service is deemed "a wasteful or uneconomical duplication of facilities and detrimental to the public."
Parker further pointed out the decision is governed by FAA grant assurances, which require the airport to "negotiate in good faith and on reasonable terms" with prospective tenants, provided the airport does not provide the services itself. The FAA further noted the willingness of a provider to lease space is considered sufficient evidence of public need for services without regard to a claim of insufficient business activity.
The FAA considers violation of its grant assurances as grounds for "revisiting" all past, present and future" grants, Parker said. Such a move could force the repayment of both federal and state grants, he added.
"I'm not saying you must approve this, but I highly encourage the application," he said.
Also at Tuesday's meeting, Parker reported proposals had been received by three vendors for renewal of auto rental service contracts at the airport. He said consolidation and dual branding of rental services have reduced the number of businesses, with Avis and Budget Rental operating a single outlet, National and Enterprise teamed up in another and Hertz operating by itself.
Parker also reported cargo activity at the airport had increased substantially, with more than 100 cargo operations logged at the airport since April. In addition to private flights, a number of aircraft involved in military troop movements have occurred.
The activity, Parker said, should translate to some additional revenue for the airport, which levies $1.25 per half-ton of certified load weight. He said the airport budgeted an anticipated $6,000 a year for the service, but had already taken in $8,100.
The commission approved a one-year extension of its airport joint use agreement with the National Guard Bureau. Parker said the five-year agreement expires in September, but National Guard officials in Washington had delayed action while awaiting a decision on the mission of the 188th Fighter Wing of the Arkansas Air National Guard. He said both sides agreed to extend the agreement another year on current terms, to allow time to resolve the issue and calculate appropriate rates.
Parker also urged commission members to support the continued mission of the 188th by participating in a "Defending our Defenders" listening session at 6 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Fort Smith Convention Center. The event will be chaired by Rep. Randy Forbes, R-Va., chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness.
Copyright 2012 - Times Record, Fort Smith, Ark.
