Terre Haute regional airport is yet one more step in the direction of acquiring a brand new plane rescue and firefighting automobile.

Bids for the brand new $ 750,000 automobile are due April 26, stated Scott Craig, lawyer for the airport’s board of administrators. The board will possible maintain a particular assembly to award a bid earlier than the Might 2 deadline for submission to the Federal Aviation Administration for grant funding.

The award of the nomination will rely on federal funding. Monica Newhouse-Rodriguez, managing director of Newhouse & Associates, which serves as a guide for the airport, stated the airport certified for a bigger automobile mannequin and expressed confidence that it might obtain federal funds.

The automobile is a part of the five-year airport capital enchancment plan. This plan consists of the design and development of a brand new hearth station on the airport.

“The automobile would be the first step,” stated Jeff Hauser, govt director of the airport, after the assembly. Hauser stated airport authorities “are actually taking a look at 2024” for funding the design and development of a brand new FAA hearth station, in addition to public funds, Hauser stated.

Airport workers will use the brand new rescue automobile to reply shortly to any plane hearth emergency, whereas the Terre Haute hearth division can be reportedly responding. The automobile is required for sure plane landings, together with a jet aircraft that frequently strikes federal prisoners to and from Terre Haute Penitentiary, Hauser stated.

In different instances, the airport has round 83% of the funding remaining in its 2021 price range till March, which is near final yr’s share of the identical interval, when the airport had 85% of its price range. remaining.

“In our income, we even have a small enhance, virtually a $ 16,000 enhance typically working income,” stated Kelsey Veatch, CFO. Veatch stated the rise got here from hangar rental earnings, restaurant rental earnings and “we had a rise in gas prices,” she stated, indicating a rise in flights to. the airport.

In a associated difficulty, one other classic plane via the Memorial Air Drive is anticipated to return to the airport.

An SNJ / T-6 Texan, a WWII coach plane that reveals the traits of a high-speed fighter of its day, is anticipated to be on the airport Might 28-30, by way of the wing of the Minnesota of the Commemorative Air Drive.

Ethan and Emily Malavolti, homeowners of Malavolti Aviation Companies and Corsair Cafe, situated within the airport terminal, are sponsoring the plane’s arrival.

Rides on this aircraft, a two-seater, will price $ 395 for a 20- to 25-minute flight, stated Ethan Malavolti, who can be flying the aircraft.

“It is a pleasure to fly and produce you again to a different realm” of aviation historical past, stated Malavolti. Beginning Friday, Corsair Cafe can be making a gift of a present of a race. “Anybody who visits the cafe can submit one entry per day,” stated Malavolti.

At the moment, a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, via the Texas Central Wing of the Commemorative Air Drive, often known as “That is All, Brother,” is on the airport till right now, additionally providing rides. This plane, carrying paratroopers, led the primary airborne invasion of Normandy, France on D-Day June 6, 1944. Hoosier Aviation is sponsoring the plane’s go to to Terre Haute.

Journalist Howard Greninger might be reached at 812-231-4204 or [email protected] Observe on Twitter @ TribStarHoward.