Airport weather station up and running

As storm clouds rolled in during their meeting Monday evening, Cameron City Council members learned the airport’s new AWOS system is up and running, with FAA approval of the licensing and broadcasting frequency.

The All Weather Observation System (AWOS) puts Cameron on the map where pilots of light aircraft are concerned, providing current temperature, wind speed, and rain data as well as warnings about fog density and thunderstorms.

For flight planning, pilots can access current weather reports through operator terminals, VHF frequency broadcasts, Navigational Aid Systems or by telephone. Previously, pilots relied on data from Hearne and Caldwell.

The new weather station is just one of a package of improvements recently completed at Cameron Municipal Airpark, including the new pilots’ lounge where the AWOS terminal is housed. Plans are approved for adding sewer service to the terminal building as part of ongoing water system improvements.

The city now has jet fuel available to local and visiting pilots, along with the 100 low lead fuel already provided. A credit card system was added to make both fuels available to all pilots.

Tow said the airport is considered a general aviation field, which means it can accommodate single- to dual-engine planes. The 3,200-foot long and 50-foot wide asphalt runway and tarmac are limited to accommodating aircraft weighing 14,000 pounds. The runway was resurfaced several years ago and the tarmac was replaced.

The city receives $150,000 a year from the Texas Department of Transportation for improvements to the runway, lighting, windsock lighting and tarmac. With improvements in those areas already made, the city has been accumulating those funds, Tow said. ‘The fourth year they make you return funds you don’t use,” he said, adding the city is seeking permission from TxDOT to use those for those funds to add hanger space.

City officials have learned the project is up for consideration for the next round of funding at the beginning of the new fiscal year and work is under way to have the hangar project “shovel ready” in time for the next round of project presentations, Tow said. The council approved a resolution related to the project.

On another economic development related topic, the council heard from Milam County Judge Dave Barkemeyer, who outlined the tax phase-in, or abatement, program commissioners approved April 23, The program offers tax incentives to new operations that invest, open new facilities and add jobs in the county. He said he is visiting and encouraging all the city councils in the county to consider adopting a common plan to streamline recruitment efforts.

Also on Monday night, the council heard from a group of residents who use the 12th Street Park for adult softball games. They asked the city to restore some damaged lighting at the park to enable games to continue in the evenings after dark. The council instructed Tow to investigate what would be needed to increase the lighting and/or repair existing street lighting in the area and report back to the council.