A recent runway relocation and extension at Florida’s Flagler Executive Airport is a prime example of smart airport infrastructure investment.
Recently detailed in Airport Improvement magazine, the project to move Flagler’s runway 11-29 and extend its length to 5,500 feet is one facet in a strategy that can help facilities meet today’s airport infrastructure funding challenges.
“The goal of a facility like Flagler Executive is to be as self-sustaining as possible—to be able to thrive and still grow,” said GAI Senior Project Engineer Daniel Nickols, PE, who helped design the runway relocation and extension and provided on-site management throughout the airport infrastructure project.
While Flagler’s runway revamp addressed a safety issue by separating two intersecting runway ‘thresholds,’ the extension of 11-29 from 4,999 feet to 5,500 increases the weight of the jets it can accommodate, and the relocation freed up developable land within the current airport property limits. The additional weight allowance enables planes to take on more fuel at Flagler—offering the facility a valuable revenue-generation opportunity.
“Smart airport infrastructure investment like Flagler’s runway expansion creates an environment for sustainability and growth.”
“Flagler Executive Airport sustains itself through land rent, hangar rental, and fuel sales—and having a larger, brand-new runway is going to attract new facility users and tenants,” said Nickols. “This promises revenue from the actual tenant hangar rental fees and fuel sales—funds that go back into facility maintenance, paying airport staff, and helping fund Flagler’s future projects. Some projects that Flagler hopes to start as soon as possible include building more hangar space to accommodate more tenants. So it’s clear to see how smart airport infrastructure investment like Flagler’s runway expansion creates an environment for sustainability and growth.”
Contact Senior Project Engineer Daniel Nickols, PE, 321.319.3055, for more information about GAI’s airport infrastructure engineering and development services, and learn more about GAI’s Aviation group.
More Airport Infrastructure Topics
Read about GAI Florida Aviation Director Jack Thompson’s take on Airport Infrastructure Funding Gaps; the GAI Aviation team’s work at Flagler Executive Airport; our planning, design, and construction observation services for Arnold Palmer Regional Airport; our on-call consulting services for Umatilla Municipal Airport; and our planning and environmental services for Martin County Airport/Witham Field.
Daniel Nickols, PE leads the design, inspection, and construction management of various aspects of airport infrastructure improvement projects. His experience includes airport pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction, runway and taxiway overlays, airfield grading and safety improvements, lighting and electrical rehabilitations, stormwater and drainage improvements, and airfield facility design. In addition, he has led the civil/site design for several non-airfield specific projects.
