YEAGER AIRPORT RECEIVES GRANT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY FOR AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

YEAGER AIRPORT RECEIVES GRANT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY FOR AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority has received a $5.6 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct an Environmental Impact Study (EIS).

The Yeager Airport Runway Safety Project, as proposed by the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority, would establish a standard 1,000-foot-long by 500-foot-wide runway safety area at both ends of Runway 5-23 and provide a runway length of 7,000 feet. The proposed improvements would require an estimated 12.8 million to 20 million cubic yards of fill to accommodate the proposed runway shift and standard safety areas.

A successful EIS project will allow the Runway Safety Project to move forward and make room for 50 to 60 extra acres of developable land, which could be used for aeronautical purposes such as hangars, industrial parks, and more aircraft parking.

“If the Environmental Impact Study is mitigated and the Runway Safety Project moves forward, it has a potential economic impact of $300 million and hundreds of construction jobs,” said Yeager Airport Director and CEO Nick Keller.

Local leaders are also on board with the project.

“It is great news that Yeager Airport is receiving this funding to conduct an environmental impact study ahead of their runway safety project,” Senator Shelley Moore Capito said. “As our state’s largest airport, it’s important that Yeager Airport has the facilities and resources needed to handle the volume of travelers that come through every day while providing the opportunity to grow. Today’s announcement is encouraging for Charleston, the surrounding communities, frequent travelers through Yeager Airport, and the entire state of West Virginia.”

“Yeager Airport serves a critical role in driving economic development throughout the entire state of West Virginia. This investment from the FAA is welcomed news and an important step towards the continued expansion of Yeager Airport,” said Senator Joe Manchin.

The project is part of the airport’s long-term goal to be West Virginia’s most significant economic engine in the state.

A study done by the West Virginia Aeronautics Commission says Yeager Airport is responsible for nearly 3,000 jobs and has a $225-million economic impact in the state. Yeager Airport is the largest commercial Airport in West Virginia, with service provided by American, Delta, Spirit, and United Airlines. The Airport’s Organizational Vision is: “To become the most important economic engine for the state through advances in aviation and education.” Yeager Airport, in conjunction with the West Virginia National Guard, hosts the Home Base Program. The program works to facilitate military ground, tactical, and air training in West Virginia.

Want to know about about the EIS Grant and the runway safety project? Click the link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-Ua7Aw0nsI

Yeager Airport is Building for the Future

Yeager Airport is Building for the Future

We often tell kids to dream big, they can do anything they set their mind to. The truth is, no matter how old we are, we should always dream big. And that is what we do at Yeager Airport.

Having the military use CRW as a hub, while they train at old coal mine sites in West Virginia, was once a pipe dream. The same for the Marshall University Flight School and the United States Customs Building. At one point, all of these things were just an idea, a dream, but are a reality now at Yeager Airport.

All of these projects at CRW are being done with one goal in mind, make Yeager Airport the most important economic engine for West Virginia. With all of this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the construction projects going on around CRW.

Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School Construction at Yeager Airport

Yeager Airport is set to be the home of Marshall University's Flight School

Construction of the Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School Classroom Building. Classes are scheduled to start in August 2021.

The groundbreaking for the Marshall University Bill Noe Flight School was on August 13th, 2020. Since then, construction has been fast and furious. Work on the classroom building and hangar have stayed ahead of schedule for most of the project.

Classroom Building- The entire frame of the school is up, the roof is on, and the siding for the building is starting to go on. Work on the inside of the building is making great progress too. Framing is done, and sheetrock is going up.

The Hangar- The hangar is also up, and siding is up, and the roof is on. Work is being done on the inside of the building now. The hangar is just to the left of the classroom building.

The first group of students is set to start in August this year. Both the classroom and hangar will be ready to go by then. These future pilots are going to have a state-of-the-art building for their education and training.

United States Customs and Border Patrol Building Project

 

Yeager Airport is home to the only Unite States Port of Entry in West Virginia. We have had a CBP agent for several years but never a dedicated building for him. He did his work either on the plane or at Capital Jet Center.

Yeager Airport is the only port of entry in West Virginia.

The United States Customs Building is being built beside Yeager Airport’s FBO Capital Jet Center. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2021.

Getting a designated space for CBP has been on the radar at CRW for a few years. Construction started earlier this year and should be finished by the end of 2021. Footers have already been poured, and walls are already starting to go up. The building has to be built United States CBP specifications. When the building is finished, CRW will be on the map for international travelers looking to clear customs before heading to their final destination.

Yeager Airport Taxiway B Project

Two different projects happening on taxiway B. The first is a drainage project. This project is going to divert water away from taxiway B. This is a smaller but important project. Keeping the taxiways and runway as clear and dry as possible is important.

The next project on taxiway B is to give airplanes easier access to Capital Jet Center. As our general aviation customer base continues to grow and will get even bigger when the customs building opens, we thought this project necessary.

General Aviation aircraft at Yeager Airport will now be able to taxi from CJC directly to taxiway Charlie.

Before this project, general aviation aircraft did not have direct access to taxiway Charlie. Once finished, this project will make it easier for pilots to taxi to Runway 23.

Planes leaving Capital Jet Center now taxi on Bravo before jumping over to Charlie. After this construction is finished, planes will be able to have access to taxiway C, which is the old Runway 15/33, directly from Capital Jet Center. This will make for an easier route to and from Runway 5/23.

Exciting Projects at Yeager Airport

More construction is coming. Some plans were paused because of COVID-19, but the projects have not gone away. As passenger numbers start to return to normal, more projects are going to be placed back online. This new construction is going to give CRW a fresh look and feel. It will give passengers an exciting travel experience. It will make some once far-fetched dreams become reality.

To learn more about Yeager Airport contact us today! With service provided by American, Delta, Spirit, and United Airlines, you are just one stop from thousands of destinations worldwide.

Planning a family trip to Orlando? Let CRW take you there!

Planning a family trip to Orlando? Let CRW take you there!

We made it. The dog days of winter are behind us. It is finally March and that means spring is right around the corner. Later sunsets and warmer temperatures are on the horizon. If you are ready to take off to celebrate the end of winter, we are ready to get you there.

CRW flies to seven different major U.S. cities. Each one has something for you to do whether you are going with your family or are planning a long weekend with friends. Over the next few months, we are going to highlight a city with some of the things you can do on your trip. Some things you might already know about, others might be something you would not have thought of before.

Ok, let us quit rambling and get to our first non-stop destination. Orlando!

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room first. Disney World. The Happiest Place on Earth is not a secret to anyone. You know it’s there; you know it’s awesome. That’s all we will say about Disney World. If you want more info or help planning a trip Disney’s website has everything you need and then some.

Besides Disney World, the list of family fun options goes on and on. From kayaking around a zoo, zip-lining 1,200 feet at 30 mph, or taking an airboat tour, you can spend your entire trip outdoors doing something different every day.

If you would like to stay a little closer to the city, you can go to several theme parks and water parks, live theater, museums. Hoping to find a sporting event to go to? The Orlando Magic are letting a small number of fans back into the arena.

If you’re hungry after a day out in the city, or if you just like good food, Orlando’s restaurant scene will take care of you. With 5,000 plus restaurants to choose from, we cannot list them all here. Depending on your mood, you could head down to Restaurant Row, and pick from cuisine all over the world. The city also has a number of places where you can get dinner and a show. And if you’re going on a trip with friends, your choices of nightlife are endless.

All of these possibilities and more are just one flight away. Spirit Airlines flies to Orlando International Airport three days a week and the flight lasts an hour and a half.