Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
Serving proudly since 1873 as the beautiful Nebraska Panhandle's first newspaper
While business is changing in the Sidney and Cheyenne Communities, the Sidney Municipal Airport continues to show positive numbers.
Ron Meyer, chairman of the airport committee, spoke before the Sidney City Council Tuesday night. The Sidney Airport Authority was on the agenda regarding its annual tax request and to present a report to the city council. In his report, Meyer said the number of operations (landings and take-offs) is up as is the number of fuel sales. He said the airport sold $122,414 in fuel for the July to June 2017-2018 year. The airport offers 100 low lead at $4.99 per gallon and Jet A at $3.85 per gallon. The airport has a fuel farm on site of 10,000 and 12,000 gallons of Jet Fuel A and 100 Low Lead.
He said freight planes land twice a day. Military helicopters also frequent the Sidney airport.
The airport did lose the steady traffic associated with Cabela's. Cabela's also housed a jet at the airport. However, the plane itself does not identify a vast loss. The company kept its own fuel near the hangar. The fuel storage tank was removed Wednesday. Meyer said Wednesday Bass Pro continues to rent the hangar.
The airport is seeing an increase in doctors flying into Sidney, Meyer told the council. He added that the air medical service is adding to the facility's numbers as well.
Meyer said full-service fueling and new terminal are helping draw flights to Sidney. He said as a pilot he prefers having someone else fuel his plane while he takes a few minutes in the terminal. He told the council 90 percent of the cost of the terminal was paid by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Meyer said there is a need for more hangar space at the airport. He said all of the hangars are full.
"We actually have a waiting list," he said.
He reminded the council Sidney was recognized as Airport of the Year in 2015.
The airport is managed by L & L Aviation. The airport is managed at about $12,000 per month.
Meyer said of the many airports he stops at as a pilot, he likes Sidney. In addition to the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the terminal, the pilot's lounge is equally as inviting while also separate from the main terminal, and it includes a bathroom and shower and sleeping room. Coffee, soda and snacks, including nachos, are also available for pilots. There is also a conference room at the other side of the terminal.
Future projects include updating the beacon and updating and possibly building new hangars. He told the council the project could cost $600,000 to $1 million.
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