Supervisor Cord Sterling will once again discuss the Stafford Regional Airport on Tuesday.
His latest resolution would prohibit the airport from extending its 5,000-foot runway an additional 1,000 feet to attract new and larger jet clients. Sterling’s last attempt at halting the airport’s expansion back in November failed due to the lack of a second.
“Mr. Sterling said that it was a shame that the proposed resolution had no support,” according to meeting minutes taken Oct. 21, 2014.
This time around, Sterling’s resolution cites the crash of a twin-engine plane that crashed into a Maryland home in December killing six people. The resolution also states new flight plans post runway extension would take planes over Colonial Forge High School, “putting at risk the safety and quality of life of students and residents,” according to the resolution.
All of these claims are not correct, said Stafford Regional Airport Board Chairman Henry Sharpenberg.
“Sterling must have nothing better to do other than to bring this issue up every few weeks,” said Scharpenberg.
Planes would not fly over the school, or over the nearby Augustine neighborhood, he added. They would fly over the southernmost point of the Colonial Forge subdivision, if and when it’s completed, added Scharpenberg.
A runway expansion would allow jets to take off with more fuel, allowing them to make longer flights to more destinations. Scharpenberg said that is an attractive prospect for jet owners who would base their planes at the airport.
Airport officials want to allow planes to approach and take off from the airport from the north following the runway expansion. Right now, 70% of planes approaching the airport come from the east and then make a left turn to the south before landing.
