Leesburg Airport Commission Meeting - June 23, 2026
Leesburg Airport Commission Meeting - June 23, 2026
The Leesburg Airport Commission met on June 23, 2026, to discuss several key topics including the selection of a hangar mural, funding updates for the air traffic control tower, revisions to minimum standards for airport businesses, and operational updates. The meeting also included public comments from a town council candidate and introductions of new FBO leadership.
Consent Calendar
- The agenda was adopted unanimously.
- The minutes of the previous meeting were approved with an amendment to include recognition of organizations (Smokehouse, Coon Aviation Training Center, and others) that were omitted from the original minutes.
Public Comments & Testimony
- A resident running for town council thanked the commission for their work and complimented their efforts.
- The new general manager of Q Aviation (Cube Aviation) introduced himself, highlighting his background at Manassas Airport and expressing the FBO's commitment to serving the general aviation community, noting a recent fuel discount over Memorial Day weekend.
Discussion Items
- Hangar Mural: The Commission on Public Art (COPA) reviewed proposals for a mural on the airport hangar. After a multi-round voting process, COPA recommended a specific design. The Airport Commission reviewed the same set of proposals and voted to endorse COPA's recommendation. The mural will be painted on panels that can be removed for maintenance. Fundraising efforts will intensify after final council approval.
- Air Traffic Control Tower Funding: The commission received updates on the control tower project. A $4 million federal grant (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) was awarded for construction. The project is 50% through design; previous environmental and siting grants are closed. The tower will include a cab and new air traffic control system. There was discussion about placing the airport beacon on the tower roof rather than at a separate site; the commission expressed interest in pursuing this with the FAA.
- Minimum Standards (Independent Flight Instructors and Off-Airport Businesses): The commission debated whether to allow flight schools and aviation businesses to operate from off-airport locations (e.g., within the town of Leesburg). Concerns included potential loss of investment at the airport, monopoly issues, and equitable taxation (businesses currently pay a 1% gross receipts tax to both the airport and the town). The consensus was to develop language for mobile service providers and independent instructors, requiring a business license, insurance, and a fee. Further discussion will occur in a working session before sending to legal counsel.
- Master Plan and Facility Plan: The Economic Development Commission endorsed, and the Airport Commission approved, moving forward with a strategic plan. Delta Airport Consultants has been contracted; an initial meeting is scheduled for the following week.
- Operations and Noise Abatement: Noise complaints continue from seven households, including a new complaint from Meadowbrook. A notable incident involved two aircraft conducting touch-and-goes after 10 PM, which violated voluntary noise abatement guidelines. The airport director will send a reminder to flight schools and consider a safety seminar. Runway 17 is the preferred calm-wind runway for noise mitigation.
- Capital Projects: The parallel taxiway relocation project is 60% designed, with construction planned for 2028 in phases to minimize disruption. Runway pavement rehabilitation will begin July 6, requiring night closures and temporary run-up area adjustments. The airport is ending the fiscal year with positive revenue; fuel sales are up 16% year-to-date and aircraft operations up 9%.
Key Outcomes
- The Airport Commission selected the hangar mural recommended by COPA. The final decision rests with the Town Council.
- The control tower project secured a $4 million federal grant; design continues toward a 50% milestone.
- The commission will develop revised minimum standards language to accommodate off-airport aviation businesses and independent instructors, aiming for equity and oversight.
- The airport will issue a reminder to flight schools about voluntary noise abatement procedures and consider organizing a safety seminar.
- Runway pavement work is scheduled to start July 6, lasting approximately 40 days, weather permitting.
- The next meeting is set for July 8, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Wednesday, June 10th, 2026. So we have uh a quorum. Uh we are missing Cyril and Dawn and Ryan. All right, adoption of agenda. Uh do I have a motion or do I have any adjustments? Anybody who has any proposals for the agenda? Do I have a motion to adopt the agenda? See one. Do I have a second? Second. All right. Um let's do the approval of the minutes next. So let's take a quick look at the meeting minutes. One thing I did want to add for the record on the meeting minutes is uh some of the recognition that we did last yeah. Yeah, it doesn't like to recognize organizations, I guess. Okay, any other amendment changes to the meeting minutes. Yeah, I got it pretty good. Okay. Uh do I have a motion to accept one amendment to the meeting minutes of uh what was left out in terms of the organization recognitions? Do I have one? Okay, do I have a second? Second. Okay. All in favor say aye. All right. What was the amendment? Uh at the top of the last month, we recognized uh bunch of the you know there was uh smokehouse, there was uh coon aviation training center, and there's a couple other stuff initially. I just wanted to put that in the record. All right, um business. Okay, so hang your mural. We uh the background on this is um the commission of public art uh two weeks ago, I believe. Last week or last week, uh had their uh formal evaluation of all the proposals that came in for the uh mural of the airport, and uh they had a process to vote on which ones that they came to a conclusion on. Um the process for this approval is that uh COPA recommends what they what they think. It comes to the airport commission. Uh we can uh agree with their recommendation or we can override their recommendation. Um and then the third step is it actually goes officially to council and council is who makes the actual final decision. But I think I think what goes to council is just what our recommendation to council that's it. So they're not gonna look at all of the images that are that are there. So uh I'll give it give you uh give it over to Mike. Go ahead. Yeah, so I print them out. Um when you go look at them when we go to this side, that top right one is the one that COPA uh that they voted on, so at least I'll save it out there. Um do you want me to share that one? Yeah, go ahead. Please do. I didn't know if you wanted to. No, I'm happy to share their recommendation. Yeah, I uh and the background of this artist is they've back they actually have a couple murals in the town. Yes. Um yeah, when they picked it, they actually went, oh, it's it's dangerous.
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