A Cherokee Cruiser makes its final approach toward the Carson City Airport in 2022.
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Carson City Airport officials have received notice of a federal grant award of $1.4 million to improve safety for approaching aircraft, according to Airport Manager Corey Jenkins.
On Thursday, Jenkins told the Appeal the funds stem from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program.
“The best way to put it is it improves safety for the approach to the airport,” he said of the funding.
The dollars will be used in two ways. The first portion will fund a precision approach path indicator, otherwise known as a PAPI. The airport already has a PAPI, but this one will offset the existing one by enabling pilots to start their approach from farther away, at an angle, before using the old system, Jenkins explained.
“They can catch that precision approach path indicator from farther away,” he said, noting the mountainous terrain around the airport.
The FAA will assess the new system before the second portion of the project is completed. The second portion entails what Jenkins described as a “medium intensity approach lighting system with sequenced flashers.”
“It simply increases visibility,” he said. “It makes it where pilots can clearly identify where the end of the runway is.”
Initial assessments for the project took place in 2021, Jenkins said. He said the project has been included in the airport’s capital improvement plan for years, and the grant application was submitted in December.
Jenkins expects construction to begin in September.
“These projects can take a while,” he said.
U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen and Catherine Cortez Masto, Nevada Democrats, lauded the airport grant funding in a joint press release.
“Nevada’s regional airports serve as gateways to our communities and are critical for our travel and tourism economy,” said Rosen. “I’m proud to announce these investments to improve conditions at these airports and increase safety.”
For information about the Carson City Airport, visit https://flycarsoncity.com.