John Lucas, recently retired from the Army and hired as the manager of the Carroll County Regional Airport started work yesterday and was introduced to the county commissioners.
Mr. Lucas' last assignment with the Army was as safety officer at Tipton Airport at Fort George G. Meade in Anne Arundel County. He now is responsible for coordinating efforts between Carroll County government agencies and companies that operate the airport.
The new airport manager started work at 2 p.m. yesterday. Still without an office, he was introduced to the commissioners at 3:30 p.m.
Richard T. Yates, new president of the county commissioners, ++ gave Mr. Lucas his first challenge. Mr. Yates said he had been told by a pilot friend that the public, including children, can walk from the parking area directly to the aircraft tie-down area or out on the runway.
"Frederick Airport has a fence to separate the two areas, and maybe we should have one also," Mr. Yates said.
Mr. Lucas said he would put the matter at the top of his priority list.
Mr. Evans said the committee that oversees management of the airport has been expanded to 14 members with the additions of Harold Weinberg and Jerry Witcomb, who will represent the pilots' association, and Patti McDonald of Indian Valley Trails, an area resident. Other members of the committee include representatives of county departments.
Mr. Evans said the 5,100-foot runway, which was started in September 1993, officially opened Nov. 15.
"It really looks good," he said.
All that remains to be done in the $11 million project is to convert the former runway into a taxiway, finish erosion controls and complete electrical work.
Committee members will now start working to obtain grants for a precision instrument landing system to help aircraft land in bad weather, Mr. Evans said. Estimates for the system are $1.5 million.
The instrument system will allow larger aircraft, including small jets, to land at the airport when visibility is down to 200 feet above ground level.
Mr. Lucas, who lives in Ellicott City, is to be paid between $30,000 and $35,000 a year. He said yesterday he would like to hear from the public as well as from agencies involved with the committee.
Any letters of recommendation regarding the Instrument Landing System should be directed to him at 225 N. Center St., Westminster 21157-5194. The telephone number is 857-8116.