New Smyrna Beach Airport Changes

Runway Expansion:

All page citations below are from the May 6, 2005 Airport Master Plan:

Our airport currently has 3 active runways.  The longest runway, number 07-25, is 5,000 feet.  From page 4-2: "These runways are considered adequate to accommodate the current operational activity at the Airport, including the Beechcraft 1900D."

But from page 3-5: "The City of New Smyrna Beach considers the existing facilities for executive jet traffic to be inadequate.  The current 4,323 foot primary runway, Runway 11-29, and the lack of an instrument landing systems (ILS), deter business jet traffic from utilizing the Airport."

From page 4-2: "The facility requirements identified that 5,500 feet of runway is needed in order to allow 100 percent of large airplanes of 60,000 pounds or less to access the airfield with 60 percent useful loads in all weather conditions.  As such, runway extension options were considered to preserve the City's ability to offer such a length."

With the City's goal to accommodate larger aircraft, engineers studied how to lengthen any of the runways.  From page 4-4: "The result was a 400 foot extension to the east and a 1,000 foot extension to the west for Runway 11-29."

Click here for a diagram of the extension of Runway 11-29.

One way to "CATCH THE CHARM" would keep all existing runways the same length as they are now, what the Airport Master Plan calls the "do-nothing" alternative.  From pages 4-1 and 4-2: ". . the 'do-nothing' alternative is not considered prudent or feasible, nor is it consistent with the long-term goals of the City of New Smyrna Beach."

Many residents disagree, preferring the "do-nothing" alternative!