SALIDA AIRPORT
FIRST IN STATE TO INSTALL NEW PILOT SYSTEM
by Denise
Ronald
Mall Staff
Writer
Salida’s
Harriet Alexander Field is the first airport in the state of Colorado to have one of the
new systems installed. The device gives pilots information on weather, wind speed,
altimeter readings, temperature, humidity and dew point when a human operator is not
available.
Customized information about the airport can be added as needed
Airport
Commission member Bill Reeves applied for a grant to cover the $38,000 machine, as well as
money for a new electrical gate and extensions on the existing taxiways.
"We
received nearly $97,000 in grant money from the state this year," Reeves said
Wednesday.
He added,
"With that money we were able to install our new electric gate, extend the taxiway
and pay for 80 percent of the Super Unicom System.
"It was
amazing. We normally get around $17,000 in grant money each year. I guess we just got lucky this year.
Reeves said
that he thought it was important people understood where the money came from.
"These
grants are paid out of taxes that have been collected from fuel sales, boarding fees and
landing fees.
"Basically,
the pilots are paying for this themselves."
Commission
Chairman Mark Emmer said, "We love this system and so do the pilots.
"People
who aren't landing, but just flying over, are checking out the system."
He added,
"With this machine, we can better utilize our staff and stay within budget on the
payroll.
"We were
very lucky to get this piece of equipment.”
Fort Morgan is the only other airport in the state that was awarded the money to purchase the Super Unicom system this year.