by Marianne Gasaway
These are high-flying times at the Mason City Municipal Airport.
A new terminal is under construction, a recent federal grant will allow for more amenities and a new fire truck is ready to roll.
“It seems like we have been planning for a long time and now it’s all in motion,” said Airport Manager David Sims. “Everything has been bid and everything is under contract.”
Dean Snyder Construction of Clear Lake had planned to have workers on site this week to begin building a new $12.7 million terminal, however weather has caused a slight delay. The foundation for the 23,000 square foot building, which will be located immediately west of the existing 1966 facility, was completed following groundbreaking last fall. The new facility is scheduled to be substantially complete by May 2024.
The project is being financed using $12 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding.
Although its square footage will not be significantly different, Sims said the new terminal will feature more useable space. The one-level building will provide an expanded lobby, gate hold area, baggage area and security checkpoint. ADA compliance issues will also be solved.
Sims noted that Bergland & Cram, of Mason City was helped in the design of the new terminal by Miller Dunwitty, a specialist in airport terminal design from Minneapolis. Interestingly, Miller Dunwitty was also involved in the design of the current terminal. When that occurred in the mid-1960s, Miller Dunwitty worked with Karl Waggoner, a Mason City architect. His firm was later known as Waggoner & Wineinger Architects, Inc. (WWA), which became a division of Dean Snyder Construction. In 2018 WWA absorbed DCS Design Group (established in 2007) and together rebranded to become Atura architecture, located in Clear Lake.
Ready for more
Recently, the airport was notified that it has been awarded another $1.2 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The $1,215,000 award from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will be used to include a passenger boarding bridge to the airport terminal project. Sims explained the bridge was always part of the plan for the new terminal, but was contingent on funding.
“So, there will be no more boarding outside in the snow or rain. Passengers can stay warm and dry and it will be easier for disabled persons to board a plane,” said Sims. “It may also be used by charter and larger aircraft which don’t have stairs.”
Sky West continues to serve the airport, offering two flights daily to Chicago O’Hare. Presently the Fort Dodge and Mason City airports share Sky West’s flights to Chicago. Sky West, which began to serve the area in 2021, is under contract by the Department of Transportation to serve the airports until March 1, 2024. Sims said he expects the DOT to put out a Request for Proposals to provide airline service for Mason City and Fort Dodge by the end of the year.
A shortage of pilots, which was a prevailing factor in the reduction of the number of flights out of Mason City this year, may soon be resolved.
“Sky West is trying to get an exemption which would allow access to more pilots,” explained Sims. “The exemption needs DOTS approval, which may happen by summer.”
Sims said passenger numbers at the Mason City airport have declined due to only two flights daily to Chicago, with a capacity of 50 on each flight. Passage of the exemption would likely mean Fort Dodge and Mason City would not need to share flights.
A demand for hangar space
While commercial flights have become limited, the airport is seeing a boon in private aircraft use. Sims said more than 50 privately owned aircraft are housed on the grounds. In recent years attention has been given to expanding hangar space for the growing numbers who want to lease hangar space at the Mason City airport. Currently, there are 34 T-hangars on the grounds. Twenty-one names appear on the list waiting for hangar space.
Sims said that in the past two years two private hangars were built on airport property near Highway 122. And recently the Airport Commission awarded a contract to Kingland Construction Service, of Forest City, to build eight to 10 T-hangars which the airport will lease to individuals and businesses. The base bid for the project, fully funded by a state DOT grant, was $1.1 million.
New fire truck
Adding to the excitement at the airport in recent months was the delivery of a new fire truck to serve the facility. The $700,000 vehicle, which was 100 percent federally funded, was ordered in August 2021. The truck arrived a few weeks ago, but will not be put into service until Sims and other airport maintenance staff members are fully trained on the apparatus. Sims explained that all commercial service airports must be certification based on safety items and are inspected annually by the Federal Aviation Administration. Part of that certification includes the ability to respond to an emergency anywhere on airport grounds within three minutes. So although mutual aid is provided to the airport by both Clear Lake and Mason City Fire Departments, airport personnel must be equipped to respond quickly.
The new all-wheel drive truck, with its 700 horsepower diesel engine, can go from zero to 60 mph in just 20-seconds. It carries 1,500 gallons of water onboard, as well as 200 gallons of foam concentrate used to fight fuel fires, and 500-pounds of dry chemical.
The Rosenbauer America vehicle, built in Wyoming, Minn., is designed to fight a fire from the driver’s seat. A driver using a control panel joy stick is able to release water, foam or dry chemical through nozzles mounted on the exterior of the truck at a rate of 1,000 gallons per minute. Thermal cameras on the roof can be used in low visibility.
The new vehicle replaces a 2004 truck, which will remain in service at the airport.
Sims said the public will get a chance to see the new truck in upcoming summer celebrations, including the North Iowa Band Festival and Fourth of July parade in Clear Lake.
