Davenport Airport improvement plan develops

DAVENPORT – A $4.3 million FAA grant to improve the Davenport Airport is continuing to make progress as various parts of the improvement plan are approved by the City Council.

A marketing contract with T&O Engineering was approved by the City Council at its Nov. 25 meeting.

The contract is not to exceed $5,000 and is designed to bring in more pilots to the airport,

including potential businesses.

City Administrator Steve Goemmel said the airport does have space to add an aircraft related business like a repair shop or other services.

“We get calls every week about hangar space and just approved the build of another hanger,” Goemmel related. “We are seeing more interest as other airports like Felts Field are getting more expensive or restrictive in their use.”

City Clerk Dave Leath noted that many airports with control towers require pilots to file a flight plan in advance, which can take away some of the spontaneity enjoyed by recreational pilots.

“When it’s a nice day, pilots like to get in their plane and go for a flight, which can be harder to do at the bigger airports,” Leath noted.

The Davenport airport does not require a flight plan to be filed in advance, but it also does not have a control tower, which means pilots must be more diligent about watching for other air traffic.

One of the planned airport improvements is a leveling of the runway so it has a clearer line of sight.

“The current runway was built in contour with the land and rises in the center, creating a blindspot for pilots.

In addition to approving the marketing plan, the city also passed a resolution to allow Scott Stebbins to build a hangar at the airport.

The 30-year lease agreement allows pilots to rent the land for 10 cents a square foot and build a hangar on the property at their own expense.