Airport to have new security rules in April

Going behind the gate at the Coastal Carolina Regional Airport's general aviation facility after April 1 will require an escort or special clearance from the Transportation Security Administration.

Airport staff member April Hill explained the new rules to airport authority members on Tuesday. The rules require that anyone using the facility pass a TSA threat assessment and receive a special picture identification card.

Hill said the requirement applies to pilots and aircraft owners, staff, vendors, and anyone using the facility for any purpose. Those who already have a gate pass can have the new designation on the flip side once they get TSA clearance.

Tom Braaten, airport director, said Hill has been working on getting the clearance application forms from those who will need it, including on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the fixed-base operation.

Hill said those applying need two photos ID's and must provide their name, any alias they have used and general biographical information, and say whether or not they have been convicted of a felony. Fingerprinting is not required.

"We've been surprised at the number of people who have come in," Braaten said.

Authority member John Price asked "Who's paying for this?"

"We are," said Braaten, referring to the airport authority.

The general status of airport finances was discussed by the authority, which will meet in a special session at 10 a.m. March 4 to work on the preliminary budget for 2009-10 due to be submitted to that Craven County manager by March 12.

Braaten said that while receipts from parking and the authority's part of car rentals are down and utility payouts are up, the airport is still within the budget limits of its conservative estimates and has not had to tap its fund balance.

The authority swore in Warren Bruce of Oriental as new ex-officio member representing Pamlico County.

Braaten told members the authority will receive $739,504 in FAA money from the first phase of its Airport Improvement Program grant this week. He said the Craven County Board of Commissioners gave approval to accept the grant  at its Monday meeting and the paperwork for county officials to sign and return is expected any day with the money to follow shortly.

The money is to reimburse the authority and county for part of the  price of the Arthur family property it purchased to prevent airport encroachment, to enhance the taxiway marking to help keep vehicles from being in the wrong place, and to do an environmental assessment on clearing trees from the approach to runway number four.