Ken Adams - Emporia Municipal Airport
Posted by Jim Wayman on Feb 28, 2017
Ken Adams has worked at the Emporia Municipal Airport for 35 years, and as the Manager of the airport, he provided a good picture of the state of affairs. The first paved runway of 3,000 feet at the airport was in 1945. Today the airport has a 4,999-foot runway capable of handling small jets. The city-owned airport gets income from hanger rentals from about 50 aircraft, and from fuel sales, selling 70,000 to 80,000 gallons of fuel per year (10% from turbine jet fuel). There are a total of 8,000 to 10,000 operations (take offs and landings) per year. Small aircraft from across the country use the airport for stops and fueling along with several local companies that use aircraft in their operations. The Emporia airport contributes to our local economy. A ten-year master plan is being developed that could include a 500-foot runway extension in the latter part of that plan to accommodate larger aircraft. Unfortunately, any future runway extensions need to be added to the south side of the runway, making it necessary to make changes to the municipal golf course in the future. The U.S. government pays 90% of approved runway extensions, and the city pays the remainder.