Leesburg Airport Commission Meeting Summary - April 17, 2026

The Leesburg Airport Commission met on April 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM. The meeting lasted until 7:08 PM. Commissioners Cyril and Fisher were absent; a quorum was present. The agenda was adopted and minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Adoption of the agenda and approval of the March minutes by voice vote, with no opposition.

Old Business

Hangar Mural

• Staff reported that a press release and call to artists have been issued. The Friends of Leesburg Public Art (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) will collect donations. A draft sponsorship document was presented; commissioners suggested lowering donation tiers and adding entry-level perks (e.g., a rubber airplane or coin) to encourage smaller donations. The next steps include review by COPA and the Airport Commission before council approval. Bids are expected by the end of April.

Minimum Standards Update

• Staff presented a 30-slide overview of proposed changes to minimum standards for commercial operators, including FBOs, maintenance shops (AMPs), flight schools, and flying clubs. Key discussion points:
  • FBO maintenance requirement: Debate on whether to require an AMP shop on-site. Scott (FBO operator) noted that the current maintenance shop is subsidized and that previous operators failed due to high costs and low consumer willingness to pay. He favored a broadly written requirement rather than specific square footage. Other commissioners questioned if off-site maintenance could be considered. No consensus; agreed to explore further.
  • Flight school facilities: Discussion on allowing off-site administrative offices. Some commissioners supported flexibility; others worried about enforcement and de facto flight schools. The current draft reduces square footage to 250 sq ft for flight schools. Input from FAA on off-site operations was suggested.
  • Flying clubs: Standards align with FAA policy, emphasizing non-profit operation and prohibition of paid flight instruction beyond member-share compensation.
• The commission agreed to schedule another meeting to refine the document before bringing it to a vote.

New Business

Runway Rehabilitation Project

• Mr. Shields reported that the project is scheduled to begin July 6, 2026, and last approximately 40 work days (8 PM to 6 AM closures). A 30-day curing period will follow, with final markings expected before the airshow. Partial taxiway closures (Alpha 4, Alpha 5 intersections) will occur for about two weeks at the start. The runway will remain open during daytime hours. Concerns about jet customer impacts were raised, but overall support was expressed given long-term benefits.

Committees

• A new committee, Community Engagement and Government Affairs, was formed to handle the mural, observation area, and property tax issues. Commissioners Mike and Tim were appointed. The committee will be limited to two members to avoid triggering public meeting requirements.
• Noise abatement form will be updated with new airport management software to improve tracking by neighborhood.

Airport Director Report

• The perimeter fence behind condo hangars is substantially complete. Beta charger near Gate 5 is nearly done. The budget was approved by council. Noise complaints are down, with reports from Evergreen Meadows, Limestone Terrace, and a new complainant from Lyndon Hill. Operations are up year-to-date despite winter weather. Discussion on measuring business jet traffic (e.g., via JetNet) suggested quarterly reporting.

FBO Update

• Scott reported that the downstairs market will open by Friday (April 19). It will be operated by an independent vendor; the airport does not collect payment or profit from it. The market is open to the public.

Public Comments

• Brendan Murphy, a candidate for town council, introduced himself and noted he is attending all commission meetings. No other public comments.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on minimum standards; further discussions will occur before the May 13 meeting.
• The runway rehabilitation project schedule was confirmed with overnight closures beginning July 6.
• A new standing committee (Community Engagement and Government Affairs) was created with two members appointed.
• The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2026, at 6:00 PM. A Boards and Commissions networking event will be held on April 30 at Ida Lee.