Pittsfield Airport

The Pittsfield Municipal Airport is an amazing asset for the Town:

 

 

• Economic development opportunities.
• It is especially attractive to business executives who travel around the country and the world frequently, as the rental costs are low, there are no scheduling or parking hassles, and commuting time is negligible.
• Private pilots with their planes fly in for recreation and business
• Charter flights, flight instruction, and aircraft storage

 

Pittsfield’s general aviation airport’s service area is approximately 20 minutes.  The estimated existing annual passenger level is 48,000 people.  Over 30 planes, including one seaplane, are housed at Pittsfield’s airport.  The nearest airports are in Waterville and Bangor.

 

History:
 

The airport is built on what used to be the Town’s fairgrounds and racetrack in the late 1800’s.  The airport started in the 1930’s with one (1) gravel runway.  The Town received funding to pave the runway and build some terminal facilities in the 1940’s.  The U.S. Navy used the airport from 1942-1944 as a training facility.  In the 1960’s, there was limited round-trip service between Pittsfield and New York City. 

 

Recent Enhancements:

 

The Town had a unique opportunity to obtain federal and state funding for a complete overhaul of the runway.  It had been over 20 years since any major work took place at our airport. 

 

In 2003, the Town was approved for a project to Reconstruct, Mark and Light the Runway in the amount of $2,664,948.  We received federal and state grants totaling over $2.5 million dollars.  The Town was required to provide a match for 5% or around $130,000.

 

The Town then had the opportunity to add on several safety enhancements to the original project totaling approximately $155,000.  The new segmented circle and PAPI are appreciated by the pilots utilizing the facility.

 

The project was done in record time –

• Rather than taking several years, the paperwork all got done in a several months
• The project was estimated to be beyond the grant appropriation and we received a bid from local contractor Frank Woodworth Inc. that was highly competitive
• The Town received a supplemental appropriation of funds
• Frank Woodworth did a super job moving the project along at the speed of light so that a runway could be open during the winter even with one of the wettest seasons ever.
• The Town was then approved for additional safety features.

         

Airport Services:

 

The Town has a fixed-based operator who provides services at the airport.  Curtis Air is run by Caleb Curtis.  The company provides the following services:

 

          passenger/pilot facilities and services

          snow-removal services

          issues and cancels notices to airmen

          advises the Town of airport facility needs

          pilot/passenger lounge

          restrooms

          fuel sales

          charter flights

          flight instruction

          aircraft maintenance/repair

          public telephone

 

The Maine Flight Center is located right before the Airport and provides charter flights, flight instruction, aircraft storage, and refreshments.

 

Central Maine Skydiving leases an area at the airport for skydiving.

 

Current and Future Projects:

 

We have filed several new grant applications for funding from the federal and state government:

 

Approved for new Snow removal equipment in the amount of $231,346, the Town’s share is 2.5% – completed in 2004.

 

Approved for a new Snow Removal Equipment Building in the amount of $263,285, Town’s share is 2.5% – completed in 2005.

 

 

Approved by MDOT to file for a Vegetation Management Plan to assist with obstruction control in the amount of $50,000 – Filing April, 2006.

 

Applied with MDOT for Clearing and Obstruction Removal for 11 acres of property in the amount of $115,000 – pending, estimated for 2007.

 

Applied with MDOT for Designing the Apron Reconstruction in the amount of $150,000 – pending, estimated for 2008.

 

Applied with MDOT for a new apron and expansion of the apron in the amount of $1,060,000 - pending, estimated for 2009 and 2010.

 

The Town greatly appreciates the support of the Federal Aviation Administration and the Maine Department of Transportation for all of the recent enhancements.  Working proactively with the federal and state agencies, we plan to continue to enhance and further develop the use of the Pittsfield Municipal Airport by the community and the region.

 

Please review the Pittsfield Municipal Airport Draft Goals and Objectives from the State-Municipal Meeting held in May, 2005 available below.