b'GENERAL AVIATIONVDF 63The visual difference is almost unbelievable, he adds, noting thatwith leaders at the Aviation Authority who dedicate substantial the new LEDs are much brighter and crisper. Drone footage takenresources to ensure facilities are the best in the state, which is a at night before and after the lighting upgrade show the dramaticlofty goal.improvement.The state of Florida invests more into its airports than any You could almost see that airport from space, Fay jokes. other state transportation department, he notes. FDOT has Its that bright.been an extraordinary partner, and our relationship with the FAA is Before the project team could get to that point, however, it hadequally critical. We could not execute projects of this scale without to clear one big hurdle: part of the approach lighting system inthe federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and Bipartisan the median between the northbound and southbound lanes of aInfrastructure Law (BIL) funding.nearby interstate highway. Crews discovered that the conduitsAmong upcoming capital projects are three privately developed carrying the signal and power cables for the MALSR lights underhangars. The first, an 18,850-square-foot facility valued at I-75 were obstructed, likely crushed or impacted when Floridaapproximately $1.85 million, is currently under construction and Department of Transportation (FDOT) widened the road severalslated for completion in April 2026. The second, developed by years ago.Skyport Aviation, is an 11,994-square-foot hangar featuring 20 AVCON coordinated with the FDOT to secure expeditednew vehicle parking spaces. It began construction in August approval for plans to replace the underground cables. After crews2025 and is expected to be completed in February 2026. Lastly, used subsurface utility engineering to locate existing FDOT-ownedan 11,999 square-foot hangar developed by J.T. Keiser, LLC is infrastructure like highway lighting and fiber-optic lines, theyexpected to be completed by late 2026.replaced conduits using directional drilling under the highway. TheWhen tenants move into the new facilities, they will undoubtedly design team also coordinated with Florida Gas to avoid conflictsenjoy the enhanced hangar space, fresh airfield pavement, newly with its underground transmission lines and easements in theconfigured taxiways and brighter LED lightingall investments to corridor. The Aviation Authority engaged Aviation Constructionsupport safe, efficient and sustainable operations. & Electric LLC, which had performed work at Plant City Airport (PCM), to complete the underground boring.It ended up being a bit of a challenge, Coppage remarks. We had to quickly get some approvals in place through the DOT and coordinate a new construction agreement between HCAA and FDOT to allow for new utilities to be placed within the DOTs right-of-way. Ultimately, the directional drilling was successful, which enabled other crews to move ahead and complete replacement of the MALSR. Coppage credits FDOT for working closely with the airports project team and expediting the review process when possible. Funding ImprovementsFay notes that the Airport Authority values its general aviation airports and invests accordingly. He stresses that the process starts at the top with leaders who devote tremendous resources to keep Tampas three general aviation facilities in top condition. Fay also credits strong partnerships for creating a model collaborationENGINEERS & PLANNERSbetween federal, state and local partners for the multi-phase improvements, which required a combined investment ofMORE THAN A CONSULTANTapproximately $33 million.A trusted partner, passionate about aviation, The runway, taxiway and apron improvements were supporteddedicated to the industry, and committed to your airportthrough contributions from the FAA, Florida Department of Transportation and the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. Of this total, approximately $7.5 million was directed toward the Runway 5-23 and Connector Taxiways Rehabilitation; $11.4 million supported the Taxiways A, D, E and J Rehabilitation; and $14.5 million funded the Apron C, Taxiways C and F, and Runway407-599-112218-36 Rehabilitation. Fay emphasizes that these achievementswww.avconinc.comreflect a deep institutional commitment to general aviation, starting AirportImprovement.comNovember | December 2025'