Jet fuel in airport's plans

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT staff writer
Russellville Municipal Airport was given the opportunity to host a twin-engine turbo propeller jet aircraft last week. While the airport doesn't get to host the large planes very often, airport officials hope to attract larger aircraft very soon by supplying jet fuel for aircraft passing over.
"We have been trying to add jet fuel to our airport for about a year, and we hope to be able to offer jet fuel very soon," Airport manager Harry Maddox said.
The airport already offers fuel for gasoline aircraft, but being able to supply jet fuel will attract the larger planes, and will create additional revenue for the airport.
"Right now our gas is the cheapest in the state of Alabama at $2.90 per gallon," Maddox said.
The average gas price in Alabama is $3.52, and Maddox plans to keep the cheapest prices in the state for gasoline. Jet fuel will also be priced competitively to attract the big planes.
"I anticipate to attract about 10 jets per month once we begin to offer the jet fuel," Maddox said. "I may be a little optimistic on those numbers, but I really feel the jet fuel will attract more business for the airport."
The delay in the jet fuel is state regulations on gasoline. The airport will have to purchase another pumping system before adding the jet fuel. The airport is currently working under a temporary fuel license until the new pumps can be installed.
"The pumps that we have are standard in other states but Alabama requires a different kind of pump," Maddox said.
The new pumps will cost the airport an additional $31,000 for each pump, and they need two in order to offer jet fuel and gasoline aircraft fuel.
As for the guest plane, the jet was chartered through Mobile Air Center, and arrived into Russellville Friday for business with Franklin Homes. The aircraft could hold between 11 to 14 passengers, and can fly through the air at 322 miles per hour.