FAA Regulations
prohibit state
fund qualification

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Features Editor
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

MARSHALL COUNTY – After careful consideration and appeals to the state, Marshall County Fiscal Court has determined not to annex the airstrip located in Pirate’s Cove for public use.

The 3,000-foot long, 32-foot wide runway has previously been used for private landowners with small planes; however, some two months ago, representatives of Pirate’s Cove approached the court about taking on the runway for public use.

While initially receptive to the notion, Marshall County Judge-Executive Mike Miller met with representatives of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Russell Romine and Geri Grigsby to inquire about the possibility of obtaining state funds.

“They asked me to find some money to help them out with it,” said Bobby Gifford, Director of Water Vision 20/20. “I found a 50/50 match grant, and we applied for $50,000.”

The Kentucky Department of Aviation paid a visit to the airstrip to assess the property, and after consideration, returned a decision.

“They were reluctant to put state money into a private airstrip,” Miller said.

According to a Cabinet report provided by Gifford, the Department determined that the airstrip does not meet a number of requirements in order to qualify for grant funding. Eliminating factors include:

• The runway width must meet a minimum requirement of 60-feet.

• The approach slopes of the runway are blocked by roads on each end and are deficient in elevation standards.

• By FAA standards, the runway must be free of all objects for 250-feet from the center of the airstrip on both sides and 240-feet beyond each end. “Trees, roads, residents and other structures are in violation of this area.”

• The FAA requires security measures, including a fence. Currently, there are no security measures in place, and construction would require the purchase of private land and relocation of roads and structures.

• Inadequate Runway Protection Zone [RPZ].

• Primary and transitional surface violations.

• No terminal building or apron for aircraft tie-downs or fuel stations exist in the area.

• A segmented circle as required by KRS183.024 section six is not present.

“The biggest thing really is that they just don’t own enough land out there,” Gifford said. “The safety area has to be just so large, and most of that land is property belonging to individuals.”

Miller said the expense of meeting basic needs and maintenance of the area is more than the county is willing to undertake. “It’s hard to justify using public money for a private area,” Miller said.

“As a private entity it’s one thing,” Gifford said. “We had limitations that we just couldn’t work out. The cost was very prohibitive.”

Gifford said he and Miller plan to visit the Pirate’s Cove Homeowners’ Association to discuss the matter further.