Erie-Ottawa International Airport

7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 5 “Right now we’re very much focused on our pavement, and opening up additional development space with access to our taxiways and runways,” Finken says. “The FAA holds pavement as a cornerstone of their safety and development in airports. This spring we’re doing a total apron rehabilitation on the west side of the airport, which includes the area in front of our fuel farm, terminal, equipment hangar, and our primary corporate hangar. This will serve not only to rejuvenate the pavement but also to address some drainage issues. At the same time, on the other side of the airfield, we’re putting in two new taxi-lane fingers to allow the airport to build a six or eight bay T-hangar. This project will also provide space there for the private development of hangars. We have a waiting list of about 25 people, so we know there is a need for expansion.” There are also plans to work on the terminal building. It had a facelift back in 2016 and they are now in the process of looking into different ways to remodel the building, which is shared with Griffing Flying Service. Eventually, in the next five to ten years, the goal is to build a new terminal building on the west side of the airfield. Finken admits, “It is a nice enough terminal for the moment, but we are rapidly outgrowing it. Currently, it features 24-hour access through a coded door, with vending machines, a coffee maker, crew-use computer, an ice machine, and all the necessities in our pilots’ lounge.” The airport supports several interesting community outreach projects. The first is through the Ottawa County Improvement Corporation and their Skilled Trades Academy, where the airport hopes to get an aircraft maintenance and parts training operation up and running as part of the program. The second initiative is the airport’s Junior Pilot Camp for junior high aged children, which is held each year. During the camp, students from around the area are shown all aspects of aviation – from physics, through orientation on small aircraft, and a buddy flight.