“I do think we’ll get more (IFR) traffic, but since it’s moving to a better location, the city wouldn’t even notice,” Jenkins said. For now, only the approach lights and the weather tower relocation are certain.

And in the long run, Jenkins is hoping that the airport can eventually lengthen the runway and work on pavement rehabilitation. Alongside the runway approach lights, he’ll also be working on moving and updating the automated weather observation system to make room for a snow equipment removal building. The city and the airport share those fees. One charter jet in the air can produce as much property tax as 10 homes,” he said. Pilots using instrument flight rules may follow the green path over the mountains to the runway. Pilots using visual flight rules must follow the traffic pattern in a rectangle over the city. In the long run, Jenkins expects the improvements to reduce noise for the city and attract more IFR jets and charter flight operations to the airport. Over the course of fiscal year 2022-23 the lights will cost the airport over $120,000 with a $1.8 million match in federal funding. … They’re not any higher than the existing lighting on the airport, so there won’t be any light pollution caused by that,” Jenkins said. “(The MALSF’s are) all level with the runway. The PAPI’s help pilots angle their approach correctly at the right altitude, and the MALSF’s point to the end of the runway. The runway approach lights will come in two parts – relocating the precision approach path indicators and adding a medium intensity approach lighting system. Hence, less noise for residents and a more efficient route for pilots. “(The precision approach lighting is) going to decrease the minimums – make it so pilots can get into the airport safely even in lower visibility situations,” Jenkins said. That means they must enter a rectangular traffic pattern, flying over the city, as opposed to landing when they first come over the mountains.

IFR allows pilots to fly with their instruments, as opposed to using visual flight rules.Ĭurrently, IFR pilots must cancel their flight plans and switch to VFR when they try to land in Carson City at night or in smoky conditions, when they can’t see the runway from a certain distance. (Photo: Faith Evans/Nevada Appeal)īut the lights will be key for pilots using instrument flight rules.

The Precision Approach Path Indicators, “PAPI’s,” are a set of lights that help pilots angle their landing correctly.

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