Clovis Civil Aviation Board Meeting - April 7, 2026
Clovis Civil Aviation Board Meeting - April 7, 2026
The Clovis Civil Aviation Board met on April 7, 2026, to review airport operations, FAA inspection results, staffing, infrastructure projects, and a proposal for a memorial. The meeting was called to order by Chairman Lonnie Leslie with all members present.
Discussion Items
- Minutes Approval: The board unanimously approved the minutes from January 20, 2026.
- Director's Report – Airfield Status: Chris reported that Taxiway Bravo between Runway 12 and Taxiway Alpha remains closed due to terminal construction. The north gate adjacent to AirCare was damaged and a camera will be installed. Fuel sales for January–March 2026 are increasing but below previous year levels; jet A prices have nearly doubled due to geopolitical tensions, and the airport reduced its profit margin to remain competitive. Denver Air Connection flights in January were lower due to six cancellations and a switch to a smaller aircraft (30-seat Dornier).
- FAA Inspection Results: An FAA inspection on February 10–12, 2026, found 11 discrepancies, most corrected. Issues included outdated airport certification manual, missing PAPI maintenance records, lack of trained personnel for PAPI systems, foreign object debris, soil encroachment, misaligned threshold lights, and ARF unit response time. A letter of investigation addressed delays in putting the new ARF unit into service and expired training for some personnel. The inspector recommended a comprehensive staffing assessment and construction of an ARF facility. Snow removal equipment failure led to runway closures; the airport is working with the FAA to acquire new multi-use equipment.
- Staffing and Training: The airport is currently 100% staffed, but was at 64% during the inspection. The director noted low pay as a challenge but highlighted benefits and tuition assistance. A citywide compensation and classification survey is underway. The board discussed potential pay incentives for training progression similar to fire and police departments.
- Airfield Projects: Terminal construction is expected to be complete by end of May/early June. The old terminal restroom renovation (sanitation grant) includes no-touch fixtures and a shower, expected completion by April 24. Airfield sign replacement designs will be presented at the next meeting. Hangar roof replacement (from 2023 hailstorm) is underway but behind schedule due to wind. Bulk storage upgrade: new tanks and pumps have arrived; installation requires concrete curing (7-day break test). The airport will use temporary fuel trucks from F Fuel for 1–2 weeks during tank installation.
- Airspace and Avigation: The FAA is phasing out the VOR Runway 2 approach, replacing it with GPS-based RNAV approaches. The airport will remove flashing Xs on closed taxiway due to potential confusion for approaching aircraft. Bird mitigation: purchasing one propane cannon to test neighbor response.
- Ute Pipeline: Pipeline construction will resume, crossing East 21st Street and entering airport property. The turf runway (08/26) will be closed during active digging per FAA mandate. A phasing plan will be developed.
- Hangar Inspections and Compliance: Hangar inspections are 94% complete. 43% of tenants are noncompliant with FAA standards (storing hazardous materials, abandoned aircraft). 29% of tenants are past due on rent, with 13 owing $1,300–$7,000. The city attorney will send certified letters giving 20 days to pay or face lien/forfeiture of aircraft.
- Memorial Proposal: Board member Nick Williams announced an early-stage idea from Sheriff Brockett to create a memorial at the airport for the U-28 crew (Becker, Dalga, De Lecker) lost in a crash on March 14, 2017. The memorial could include a U-28 aircraft. Williams has contacted Cannon Air Force Base public affairs. The board expressed strong support and suggested tying a dedication to a future car or air show for public engagement.
Key Outcomes
- Approved minutes of January 20, 2026.
- Directed staff to proceed with FAA staffing assessment and pursue grant funding for snow removal equipment.
- City attorney to issue non-payment and non-compliance letters to hangar tenants.
- Board endorsed the U-28 memorial concept and will support further coordination with the Air Force and families.
- Meeting adjourned.
Meeting Transcript
And he's working for the University of the United States. And so he's been got a moving and uncreating and setting up and then writing copy for uh displays and then things like that. And his wife lived in one of the things. He went down to San Antonio on vacation for weeks. He's working around for Talents where they talk about trying to get his CDL and all that. He was the speaker on uh uh war field form and stuff. Wars we we've got airplanes. I forget what it was titled, but anyway, it was essentially too north now starting to civil war battles in New Mexico and then Florida New Mexico's involvement militarily all two years of Oklahoma back Friday that taught me. We went down to one of them, but uh which one that crushed out here at Everyone. I know what I signed up for uh oh Larry Larry was bringing out each flying up, I think he's he's a lot of team on flying at Arkansas. Twenty-two-year-old guy up there presenting on the TV and you've got some people whose interest level reaches, you know, they come out and get my license everything. You know, they'll uh see I don't know they'll define flyers and you know they'll let you know that I mean it was quite a lot of my uh bad wow I've never been on the uh until we know that accident. Yeah, I mean my blood air presented really way too confidently and handled that to the hospital. I walked down the front door today. You know, I didn't know that. Thank you. One of my favorite things I used to love to talk to Dr. about his experience in Korea. Uh World War II. In World War II he was a bomber pilot. Yeah, we stopped. Both in the airport, Dr. Nath. Jogged my memory about something I want to do with you if we have a few minutes. If this meeting doesn't run real late, you know, classes by the taxi and the floorboard. I was busy in the world. Oh it was yeah. I mean you probably need to get going on this. But yeah. That was our two days before the twenty-fifth anniversary. I want to talk to you about that because Dr. Neff. No, I didn't realize he had been in a crash. I guess he admittedly misdiagnosed a couple of people, but then he also flew people around the country to get them to care. And there were a lot of people that did some stuff to make that happen. I don't remember it. Uh, but uh, air tractor. Jake Moberly. Just drilling a whole lot. Oh, yeah. One minute there. Some place because they've been flown in the same room. How do we do it? How'd you get in that hospital business? Maybe 30 bucks. So Bill Kenyan I'm not working for that. He knows it from uh Yeah, and I know you need to get going on the meeting, but I've I wanted I've been visiting with Bill lately uh about that. Oh okay. Yeah, I have lots of visitors with you. Well, good evening.
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