Airport terminal to receive wireless
DUNBAR TWP. – The Joseph A. Hardy-Connellsville Airport soon will be more computer-friendly. The Fayette County Airport Authority voted 5-0 Tuesday to have the terminal building and surrounding property equipped with wireless Internet.
Authority member Myrna Giannopoulos made the motion, saying that pilots need to have Internet access to log their flight plans after hours when the terminal building is closed.
Airport manager Mary Lou Fast said that a computer with Internet access is available to pilots, but said wireless Internet would be better and more convenient because the majority of pilots travel with their laptops.
Authority member Jesse Wallace seconded Giannopoulos’ motion, with authority members Terry “Tuffy” Shallenberger, Todd Radolec and Fred K. Davis voting yes.
The authority authorized Fast to have the wireless Internet installed at a cost not to exceed $250.
In other business, the authority heard a report regarding the ongoing construction of the runway safety area project.
Engineer William S. Shiderly of Michael Baker Jr. Inc. the project manager overseeing improvements at the airport, said the project is progressing ahead of schedule and under budget.
The $2.5 million project will establish an earthen runway 150 feet wide and 300 feet long at the end of the paved runway for additional safety. Additional earthwork is being done.
Penn Development Services and Quality Reclamation are completing the project.
Shiderly said paving needs to be done and may need to be put off until the spring if the weather doesn’t cooperate within the next few weeks. Nonetheless, Shiderly said he was happy with the process being made.
“Overall, things are going very well,” he said.