Airport manager being sought; building to be upgraded
The busy Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport in Penn Township is searching for a new manager to oversee operations after the retirement of former manager Ike Kelly in December.
Mike Walsh, chairman of the Butler County Airport Authority, said Kelly managed the airport for five years and served on the authority board since 1991.
“He did a wonderful job,” Walsh said of Kelly.
He said a firm hired by the authority is searching for a new airport manager, which is not a typical position.
Walsh said the manager must oversee operations at the airport, whether it be snow removal in the winter, events in the summer, hangar rentals, grant writing, purchasing insurance, collaborating with the on-site restaurant and two aeronautics-related companies based at the airport, and other tasks.
“It’s an unusual job to find one person qualified in everything,” Walsh said. “It’s definitely a full-time job.”
He said a handful of candidates have been interviewed and more are scheduled.
In the meantime, the airport continues to run smoothly.
“We have a pretty good staff and the board members are checking in and it’s running very nicely,” Walsh said.
He said 170 airplanes and 10 jets are based in hangars at the airport, which is the current capacity regarding hangars.
He said 250 students are learning to fly at High Flight Academy at the airport as well.
AirQuest Aviation also continues to operate at the airport, providing fuel and other services to pilots.
“Our operations at the airport are up dramatically,” Walsh said.
He said the authority received a grant to pay for half of the upcoming $500,000 renovation project on the 25-year-old building at the airport that houses Serventi’s On The Runway restaurant and airport offices.
He said a new roof, updated restrooms and improved drainage are part of the project, which he hopes will begin in the summer and be completed by fall.
Walsh said there are no shutdowns planned as the improvements are made, either at the restaurant or airport facilities.
