The Fisher County Commissioners approved a proposal in early March to allow for the installation of aircraft fueling services but tabled agreeing to upgrade the airport’s emergency runway.
During the Fisher County Commissioners regular March meeting, officials heard from Alan Thompson, CEO of Thompson Field Services. The company is currently based in Midland and has an operation working in Aspermont and is working to establishing one in Rotan.
Including its custom farm harvesting services, the company also provides rock rushing, transportation and hauling, as well as various contraction services. Thompson said through their equipment usage, the company moves approximately 40,000 gallons of fuel per month.
He explained that he became disenchanted with the fuel world a few years ago, and hired a young lady who does nothing but shop the market and purchase fuel in the largest quantity for the lowest possible price. Calculations of fuel and freight are performed daily as to acquire the best cost, a benefit Thompson said he could pass on to the county.
“We’re getting into aviation fuel as well,” said Thompson, explaining his proposal for installing an aircraft fueling station at the county’s airport to commissioners early last month.
Making regular flights into the Fisher County Airport, he noticed there was no fueling station. Thomson said that while it was no inconvenience, offering fueling services could be an idea for commissioners to consider.
Thompson requested the court allow him to install a self-contained fueling system, with a credit card reader for making purchases. He said he currently has around 25 similar stations operating in other rural airports and would manage the machine and perform routine maintenance at no cost to the county.
In discussions with officials, Thompson said that while the location of the system needs to be assessable to aircraft, it could be installed wherever officials chose. Additionally, the system would be able to be covered under the company’s $5 million umbrella insurance package.
After a series of questions regarding the service, Commissioner Micah Evans sought confirmation. “So, this is no cost to the county, you bring fuel in, and you cover insurance?”
Thompson answered in the affirmative, adding that he would maintain as low of a cost as possible, which he hopes will encourage other pilots to come to the community, where they are often likely to shop in stores and eat in restaurants.
The commissioners agreed, approving Thompson’s proposal to install the fueling tanks and card reader at the airport. However, the commissioners were less inclined to agree to Thompson’s $9,300 proposal to repair the airport’s emergency runway.
Thompson informed the court that during a recent flight, his plane was struck by a strong crosswind that forced them to use the emergency runway. The. Due to the vegetation and cracks in the surface, the aircraft had to have the tires replaced.
While offering to perform the repair work at what he said he felt was a reasonable cost, Thompson also proposed the county donate the necessary caliche to complete the job. He added that if there is a local source for the stone, he has all the equipment to crush and haul the rock.
“We have the means to make things happen,” said Thompson, adding that they estimate the project will call for roughly 4,600 tons.
Commissioners briefly discussed where the nearest location for rock that would meet the necessary requirements might be, agreeing that Nolan County would likely be the closest. While officials said that while not opposed to repairing the emergency runway, there was no reason to make any decisions until the appropriate rock could be located.
Commissioners table further discussions until more information can be gathered and shared in upcoming meetings. The court is scheduled to meet again on Monday, April 8.