Flying a Sustainable Path Forward

 An airport that is known for providing a warm welcome while looking towards an ‘electrifying’ future

 

While there may be a host of active regional and county airports looking to grow their aviation business, very few can lay claim to piloting new aviation-related innovations and gearing their efforts toward sustainable flying methods. Knox County Regional Airport can take its place among these small few.

A dynamic airport that is as friendly as it is beautifully located is actively piloting new LED lighting methods and installing electric charging stations as proof of its dedication to an eco-friendly aviation future.

Nestled in an enviable area near Owls Maine, and close to Penobscot Bay, Knox County Regional Airport has its finger firmly on the pulse of the direction aviation is taking across the continent and is first in line to ensure that it makes the sustainable grade.

Specifically, Airport Manager Jacob Johnson is looking for ways to increase the capacity to operate electric flights to help with routine mail or cargo service. He has ambitious plans just across the horizon to make his vision take shape. By committing to clearly outlined sustainable goals, Johnson has already programmed the GPS for the airport’s route ahead.

 Increasing airport capabilities

While working within a paradigm that shines the mirror on innovation, Johnson is also focused on catering to the flights that touch down and take off daily. He is also allocating resources to any needed upgrading and enhancing of the airport’s current facilities through a capital infrastructure lens.

“We are a mix of general aviation and commercial service,” he begins.

Pointing to the scenic area that surrounds the airport Johnson points out, “The airport is in a unique spot.”

“We are partnered with Cape Air, a commercial service, and Cape Air flies direct flights to Boston.”

Turning to Cape Air, the airport’s regional commercial service, Johnson outlines that the airline offers “six flights to and from Boston in peak season and this drops down to three in the winter months with a capacity to hold nine passengers for each flight,” Johnson details.

“We also have Penobscot Island Air at our airport and they do a little bit of everything including scenic flights around the community. They also offer flights to and from the islands off the coast. Anything from basic transport to medical emergencies.”

“They [Penobscot Island Air] do cargo, mail service, and other things like that,” he adds.

In addition to its other services, Johnson also highlights that Penobscot Island Air is active in the area of flight instruction, an added plus for the airport given the current aviation shortages in all areas of flight operations.

“They teach new pilots. You can schedule a flight instruction lesson from PIA.”

Johnson also mentions that the airport boasts an active flying club on-site that caters to general aviation.

“The Knox County Flying Club meets once a week and they offer flying lessons to members of the public as well; they are very involved.

“They [The Knox Country Flying Club] try to build interest in aviation in the community. They also try to work with kids and get them to see different aviation career paths,” Johnson explains.

Adding to Knox County Regional Airport’s stellar services is its fully equipped Fixed Based Operator (FBO), Downeast Air.

“They offer fueling and cater to the businesses that fly in and out. They house aircraft in their hangars and they service more of the larger jets that come in.”

Economic engine for the region

Johnson views the airport as an economic driver and points to the direct impact the airport has on the local economy, drawing from numbers pulled from a recent 2022 economic study.

“The airport brought 41.12 million dollars to the community and it supported 243 jobs,” he asserts.

These numbers, Johnson argues, reflect the robust role that the airport can offer the broader community in terms of commercial investment, logistics, and tourism potential.

Johnson is enthusiastic about these numbers and sees them as strengthening further.

“It is extremely significant as far as the money that we are bringing into the local economy and how much money our passengers that come in are spending in our community. We have a major impact.”

Although not actively planning to bring in any additional businesses to the airport grounds currently, Johnson is focusing on “trying to increase the airport operations and maximize what it can do within it’s current footprint.”

Efforts to grow its services, however, Johnson notes, will be against the continuing backdrop of offering a small-town, friendly, and community feeling that makes every passenger visiting the area feel very welcome.

An electrifying path ahead

Beyond its top-tier services, Know County Regional Airport has gained widespread attention for two innovative approaches that are navigating it towards a technology-driven and sustainable road ahead.

“We are installing electric aircraft charging stations and we are in the process of doing that now. This should be completed by the end of the summer of this year.

“It’s very exciting to be one of the first airports in the region preparing for the future of electric aircraft. We have the vision for that,” Johnson relays.

Johnson points to added safety for pilots who may be at risk flying in inclement weather to the islands as well as the potential ease of delivering cargo to the area.

“We are trying to encourage unmanned aircraft that could be an option.”

“Now they can just set it to an unmanned drone and have packages delivered which is the way of the future. We are excited to be at the forefront of that, “ Johnson enthuses.

Johnson also relays that the airport is going to be the second airport in Maine to have electric aircraft stations within several months.

“All of this is reducing the environmental impact and heading in a more sustainable direction. I think this is the future of aviation so I am excited to have that going on here.”

Knox County Regional Airport can also look forward to the installation of solar panels to help reduce energy costs and cover the bulk of the airport’s electrical expenses.

“The credits that we receive from the solar farm will be a good revenue source for us.”

As the airport is governed by the county, Johnson explains that the airport will be providing the county with solar credits. The county will no longer have to pay the power companies for most of its electrical uses.

“Instead of the money going to the utility company, that money is now going to stay at the airport so that we can offset the amount of money that the taxpayers have to pay.

As the airport is governed by the county, Johnson explains that the airport will be providing the county with solar credits. The county will no longer have to pay the power companies for most of its electrical uses.

“This keeps the taxpayer money in-house.”

Not to stop at these innovations, Johnson also unveiled its role as a test pilot for a new form of LED lighting that will more efficiently guide and light the airplane’s path down the runway.

“We are trying to switch over to LED and we are one of the two test facilities for a new type of taxiway lights called a linear lighting system.”

“It has a tube that goes through the lights that illuminate. It is a straight line so you can see the direction of where the pavement leads. It is interesting and it works great.”

Johnson relays that Knox County Regional Airport has been testing these lights for two years now, and the FAA is interested in hearing how the results have been as a possible route to increased safety enhancements when lighting pilots’ flight paths.

 Navigating the best future route

When asked what the next several years may look like for Knox County Regional Airport, Johnson reflects before answering.

“I am interested in sustainability and moving away from unattainable fuel sources towards electricity; anything that will reduce the environmental impact.”

“I am very interested to see how our airport and all airports can maximize the services they provide while minimizing the environmental impact; this balance is important to me,” Johnson adds.

As for top airport priorities, Johnson does not hesitate to mention the addition of electric charging stations and solar panels as the main focus for the next two years.

“I am focused on seeing how far we can go with EV aviation and unmanned aircraft and to be one of the first in the state with this system in place,” he concludes.

AT A GLANCE

Who: Knox County Regional Airport

What: The County Airport serving mid-Maine focused on sustainability and electrification in aviation

Where: Knox County, Maine

Website: www.knoxcountymaine.gov