WARSAW — Orthopedic corporate flights are still a key component of air traffic at Warsaw Municipal Airport — with three-fourths of the flights at the airport being corporate of some kind.

But there’s a fast-growing segment involving flights serving the farming communities across northern Indiana.

[caption id="attachment_115805" align="alignright" width="200"] Jeff Grose[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_115803" align="alignright" width="200"] Nick King[/caption]

A Texas-based company has sunk its roots into the Warsaw airport because it serves as a central point in north central Indiana, in a region surrounded by counties that a dominated by farms.

A good portion of that comes from Whitley County, which does not have an airport.

Airport manager Nick King said the increased traffic has boosted fuel sales.

"We were able to set a special fuel rate for those agri-flight operations, and that has been widely successful," King said. "Last year, we sold 20,000-22,000 gallons to the crop dusters. This year, we're on track to sell 70,000 gallons to them, so it's tripled year over year."

Area farmers are also benefiting.

"It's more about supporting our local agriculture because it drops the price for what the farmers pay for the application rate on their fields," King said.

"They're able to have more fields supplied than they were last year because it's so much cheaper," he said.

King talked about the trend and other airport-related issues with Mayor Jeff Grose in an interview with News Now Warsaw for this weekend's broadcast of In The Know, the public affairs show you can hear this weekend.

King also talked about the city's cooperation with Kosciusko County, in which the county has agreed over the past year to provide money to support the airport.

The city had been seeking to establish an airport authority agreement with the county, which would establish a county-wide tax rate to support the airport.

That plan was opposed by the county, but the two sides seem to have reached a gentleman's agreement in which the county has provided $500,000 in the past two years t support improvements at the airport.

Grose was asked about the agreement, but avoided saying what kind of agreement they had reached.

"We greatly appreciate the support," Grose said. "I'm so thankful that we have individuals like Nick at the city and the county level who are working together. The realization is that the airport is more than a municipal airport. It is an airport that serves the entire county."

The airport is using this year's $500,000 installment with $600,000 of its own money to reconstruct the east-west runway over the next three years.

King was asked if the work would be happening without county support.

"It would not be possible," King said.

*  *  * 

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

The post Agri flights, fuel sales on the rise at Warsaw Municipal Airport appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — For the second consecutive year, Kosciutko County will provide $500,000 to support projects at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.

The county had already set aside the $500,000 from its EDIT fund and formally approved the request by Airport Manager Nick King on Tuesday.

The request won unanimous support.

The money will cover just about half of the cost for what is expected to be a three-year rehabilitation of the east-west runway.

King said the runway is so rough that it's a top issue for pilots.

King explained at length that the airport board has worked to line up available grant money and work ahead on engineering and prep work so they could be ready when grant money becomes available.

He said the county's support has "really propelled the airport" with different projects.

* * *

To watch Nick King explain the benefits of working together,
click on the link and start at the 38:30 mark.

* * *

In some instances, money from the county has freed up other airport money to use for engineering.

“When you look at our total projects that we’re doing between ‘24 and ‘25 — with power lines, the runway rehab, the taxi lane rehab ... we will be just shy of $12 million total in project costs at the airport," King said. "So we’re getting a 10-to-1 return on our money.

King said in some instances, the airport's customer base, primarily orthopedic, is helping efforts to line up financial support.

Officials from Slate Auto, he said, used the airport several times recently as they visit the city with plans of opening an electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Warsaw in the next year.

King predicted Slate could very well add to the airport's growing base of corporate traffic.

Groninger sounded pleased with the arrangement and recent developments.

The financial support comes after the city sought to establish an airport authority about three years ago that would have required the establishment of a special tax fund.

That idea was turned back, and instead, the city and county have found what appears to be a workable compromise in the annual distribution of financial support.

"You've done a really good job here of trying to have projects engineered and ready to go and when the opportunity's there, you've been able to execute," Groninger said.

Fellow commissioner Bob Conley momentarily sounded less than thrilled after officials signed off on the request.

"Use it to the best of your ability. That's all you're getting is $500,000," Conley said.

The post Kosciusko County sends $500,000 to city for airport runway improvements appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — The Warsaw Municipal Airport Board (and nearly half a dozen current and former airport managers) have been working to lower power lines east of the east-west runway for decades, and the effort is now within weeks of completion.

[caption id="attachment_104866" align="alignright" width="350"] An Air Cargo aircraft is seen flying over power lines and landing on the east-west runway at Warsaw Municipal Airport. The lines pictured are on the verge of being lowered. Photo provided by Nick King.[/caption]

Nick King who has been manager of the airport for ten years, recalls hearing about an initial key letter supporting the notion written in 1986.

"It was a month and three days before I was born," King said, putting the length of the project into perspective during a recent interview for News Now Warsaw.

Crews are in the midst of installing new shorter mono poles that will replace the more traditional-looking utility towers.

The first pole was erected earlier this week.

[caption id="attachment_104855" align="alignright" width="350"] Warsaw Municipal Airport Manager Nick King sands in front of one of the new mono poles being erected east of the Warsaw Municipal Airport. Further behind him are the AEP towers that will be removed. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The $7.8 million project has been the biggest in decades for the airport and it's all about safety.

The federal government, generating money from user fees, covered 90 percent of the cost. The state provided 5 percent. Warsaw and Kosciusko County covered the remaining portion.

The power lines are 6,000 feet off the runway but still represent a potential danger.

"Specifically, if an aircraft lost an engine on takeoff, it would be very challenging to clear those power lines and so to get those down and lower them is going to significantly increase safety around the airport," King said.

Work crews have been focused on the site, working 12-hour shifts seven days a week in hopes of meeting the March 13 construction deadline.

On Tuesday, the first mono pole had been erected on one of several new concrete pads.

The project is unique, King said.

"Normal airport projects, we design, we set the construction schedule. We do all of that from beginning to end in-house with our engineering firm. This one's not that way," King said. "These are privately owned utility lines so AEP has complete control of the project: The schedule, the safety management ... all of that is through AEP."

Oddly, the power lines being lowered do not serve local customers but are part of the national power grid, King said

King and Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose, both tipped their hats to Jay Rigdon, who recently stepped down as a member of the aviation board after 35 years of service.

"He spent the better part of his career working to lower the power lines and make the airport a safer, better place," King said.

"It's a serious commitment," Grose said about Rigdon's role. "Great deal of appreciation."

King also discussed alongside Grose upcoming airport projects as well as a newfound working relationship with Kosciusko County government officials to financially support the airport.

In The Know can be heard at the following times:

News Now Warsaw (99.7 FM and 1480 AM):

Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Saturdays at 7 a.m. 

Sundays at 7 a.m. & 2 p.m.

WRSW (107.3):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

Willie (103.5 FM):

Sundays at 6 a.m.

The post After decades of planning, power lines near city airport will soon be lowered appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — General aviation pilots will have access to a self-serve refueling station at the Warsaw Municipal airport by the end of the year.

The post Warsaw Airport hopes to offer self-serve fueling by the end of the year appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — You might not have realized it, but GPS isn’t just for motorists traveling the highways and byways of America. It’s also become an increasingly useful tool for pilots.

So much so that airports are evaluating whether they need to rely on expensive ILS systems, the tool airports have relied on for decades to help pilots as they approach airports at night or during bad weather.

That issue is now a major factor at Warsaw Municipal Airport continues to look at its existing ILS system which is no longer up to par. Specifically, one of the three components that comprise the ILS system is not functional and pilots rely on GPS on both runways, said Airport Manager Nick King.

King has recently sought and received input from some of the pilots at the airport on the issue. Some of their thoughts were pretty blunt.

"Why replace it? ILS are not being replaced in smaller airports because the GPS we have has the same accuracy that the ILS has," King said.

"Is it a smart investment on the airport board's part to put $1 million into an ILS into technology that most likely be supported in 20 or 25 years?" King asked rhetorically during Tuesday's board meeting," King added.

Aviation Board President Jay Rigdon reflected on the speed of technology.

"Two of us were on the board when we got the ILS and to think we've out-lived the ILS system — it gets you a little bit," Rigdon said.

The aviation board took no action, but pledged to look deeper into the issue.

King said they have three choices on the matter. Those include upgrading the system and work with the Federal Aviation, continue to operate as is or get rid of the sysem and rely on GPS systems.

He said they need to make a decision within the next year because it is closely involved with possible changes to the runways.

The post With GPS, does Warsaw airport really need an instrument landing system? appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW -- Two million dollars included in the new Indiana state budget will significantly speed up efforts to replace the oldest asphalt at Warsaw Municipal Airport.

Airport Manager Nick King he was "very, very pleasantly surprised" to learn the state had set aside $2 million in the new state budget and will possibly provide another million dollars from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation -- all for use at the airport.

King said the $2 million is close to what is needed to replace a taxi lane that serves the biggest aircraft at the airport and is nearly 50 years old.

The rare infusion of state money was announced last week days after state lawmakers agreed on the two-year budget.

The agreement came after King worked with State Rep. Craig Snow and State Sen. Ryan Mishler on funding a specific airport project.

King said he is now working with an engineer in finalizing a design for the reconstructed taxi lane.

"If it's possible, we'd like to try and see construction later this summer or fall," King said. 

The $2 million was approved by state lawmakers just days after a plan to create an airport authority in Kosciusko County that would bring with it a new tax stream from property taxpayers was shelved by Kosciusko County Council.

Warsaw City Council unanimously supported the creation of an airport authority earlier this year and then sent it to the county for consideration.

The county council tabled the issue for a year, with some saying they want to see if they can find other funding sources for the airport and avoid creating a new board with taxing authority.

The city outlined at least $46 million needed for major projects over the next ten years.

Mayor Joe Thallemer said the $2 million from the state doesn’t negate the need to establish an airport authority.

The post $2 million from state propels airport project forward appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW -- Kosciusko County Council has shelved the airport authority proposal for a full year.

Council voted 4-2 to table the city of Warsaw’s proposal to create a city-county airport authority one week after the county council heard more than an hour of discussion in support of the city’s plan, which would bring with it a new tax on all county property owners.

Warsaw City Council approved the plan unanimously earlier this year.

Councilman Dave Wolkins said the timing for a new tax was not good and that he’s leery of seeing the creation of any new taxing body.

"There is never a good time to raise taxes, but there are better times and I don’t think this is the time to do it,” Wolkins said.

He said the county needs to look at other ways to support the airport.

"I think we need to look at an interlocal agreement, a memorandum of understanding. I think we could figure out a way to get them the money they need to improve that airport without establishing an airport authority,” he said.

Council president Mike Long, who has spoken against the proposal to create an airport authority, sought to clarify the issue.

“I want to be clear to the business (and) industry in the county that we’re not slamming the door on this," Long said. "It’s a possibility. We just are saying we need time, we need to take a step back and look at this thing to really explore any avenues that are available that we may not be even aware of today.”

Airport Manager Nick King attended the meeting and field only a few questions before Wolkins proposed tabling the issue.

Wolkins asked about aging runways and about the airport’s instrument landing system which has not been fully functional for more than a year because the airport could not find the needed parts.

The move came without a majority of council members even voicing an opinion on the issue.

Those voting to delay the issue included Wolkins, Long, Tony Ciriello, and Sue Ann Mitchell.

Councilwomen Kimberly Cates and Joni Truex opposed tabling it. Kathleen Groninger abstained.

The post County Council shelves airport authority proposal for one year appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW --  Warsaw Municipal Airport’s plans to lower power lines on the east end of the east-west runway have been delayed.

Construction was set to begin this summer, but the project has been pushed back a full year.

Airport Manager Nick King told aviation board members on Tuesday that it was a combination of issues.

“They did say one of the big issues that they had was just getting the actual towers built. Those lead times are over 13 months now. They used to be three to four months, and so just getting shop time with the manufacturers to actually build the towers is becoming increasingly difficult," King said.

Another factor involves a sign-off from the U.S. Department of Energy that involves American Electric Power, the Federal Aviation Agency and the city of Warsaw.

"It’s a scheduling issue as well because it is a part of the national power grid," King said. "It’s unfortunately a complicated process that’s going to take a little more than we originally foresaw.”

Officials now believe the project that involves constructing six new towers and removing three old towers will begin in July of 2024 and be complete within a few months.

The cost of the project is $7.6 million. The city's share will be around $350,000, King said.

King said he does not think the delay will affect the project's cost.

The post Lowering of power lines near airport pushed back to next summer appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW -- Kosciusko County Council on Thursday night heard more than an hour of opinions supporting the creation of a city-county airport authority.

They also heard a handful of comments from those opposed and from some who want to see voters have a final say through a referendum on an election ballot.

Warsaw City Council has already endorsed the plan, which still needs county council approval for it to happen. The major point of concern for many is that it would create a new tax for all property owners in the county.

Republican lawmakers including a representative for Congressman Rudy Yakym and State Reps. Craig Snow and David Abbott spoke on behalf of the airport's importance.

Economic development proponents KEDCo and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce endorsed the plan.

A representative of OrthoWorx and an executive with Zimmer Biomet also spoke about the need for an airport authority.

[caption id="attachment_71777" align="alignright" width="276"] Craig Snow[/caption]

Snow, who has focused significantly on economic development in his first few years in the statehouse, said the state is eager to look at helping boost the orthopedic capital but would like to see local leaders have what some call 'skin in the game.'

He said additional funding from the state in the future would include some dedicated to the airport.

He also offered to introduce a legislative amendment to modify and customize state law to accommodate potential arrangements that would make the deal more palatable.

Bob Vitoux, OrthoWorx CEO, invoked the names of orthopedic legends Revra DePuy and Dr. Dane Miller. 

"If Dane Miller was still alive, and still here, he would find a way to convince people that this is the right thing to do,” Vitoux said. “Dane’s looking down on us and he’s saying, 'Do the right thing in this community. Let’s create yet a better place than we already have.’ ”

Jim Lancaster, with Zimmer Biomet, told the council the airport serves as a gateway to global sales and talked about the company's unique history and commitment to the community.

"We live in a unique community that may be small, but has a mighty opportunity to continue to do great things,” Lancaster said.

Suzie Light, speaking for Kedco, said the airport was immensely important and made a personal appeal to those who don’t think they benefit from the airport.

"Not all Wayne Township residents use the Warsaw-Wayne Township public library, nor do they all have children in school, but they support those things with their tax dollars because we benefit as a community from those important valuable things that create valuable community citizens," Light said.

Also speaking were Mayor Joe Thallemer and Airport Manager Nick King who highlighted the airport's economic impact and provided a long list of needed major repairs and improvements that totaled roughly $45 million.

King said the airport is among the top five in the state with an $860 million-a-year economic impact on the community

Council was also advised that the only way for a referendum to appear on a ballot is for it to be prompted by opponents if and when the council approves of the plan.

Council asked a few questions about the tax rate and the referendum but did not offer opinions on the issue.

No action was taken and council president Mike Long has suggested they will take their time in addressing the issue.

It’s unclear whether the council would approve it just for the sake of sending it to a referendum.

[caption id="attachment_77195" align="aligncenter" width="960"] An estimated 85 people attended Wednesday's meeting in the old courtroom in Warsaw night. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The post County Council urged to support airport authority, mulls referendum appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW -- The GOP fish fry at the fairgrounds was a bustling scene Wednesday afternoon and one common point of discussion was a proposal to convert the municipal airport to a city-county airport authority.

If the proposal is eventually approved, it would result in a new tax for all county property owners.

The all-Republican Warsaw city council has already unanimously voted to support the measure and the all-republican Kosciusko county council will begin debate on the issue tonight when it hosts a special meeting on the proposal.

The county council won’t vote on the issue tonight but is expected to hear a pitch on the issue from city officials.

Exactly what county council will do with the plan remains unclear. County Council President Mike Long has already spoken against it and floated the idea that voters address the issue in a referendum.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer and Airport Manager Nick King, who is expected to present the city’s case, both attended Wednesday’s fish fry.

King said he intends to explain the rationale, answer questions and attempt to clear up misconceptions.

State Rep. Craig Snow, a proponent of local economic development, is expected to address council on the issue if he can make it in time after a day in Indianapolis.

County Republican Party chairman Mike Ragan said he’s talked about the issue with several on the county council. He said some are "dug in" in support of the idea.

Ragan declined to say whether he supports the plan but adds that something needs to be done to further assist the airport.

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. at the old courthouse and the public is encouraged to attend.

[caption id="attachment_77168" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita (R) talks with Kosciusko County Commissioner Bob Conley (left) while county sheriff Jim Smith listens in Wednesday night at the GOP fish fry. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_77167" align="aligncenter" width="696"] A view of the GOP fish fry at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds Wednesday in Warsaw. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

The post City will make airport pitch to Kosciusko County Council tonight appeared first on News Now Warsaw.