Senate committee approves funding for landing system

WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Senate Appropriations Committee has included nearly $1 million in funding for McCook Municipal Airport in the fiscal year 2004 Transportation Appropriations bill, Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson announced today. The funding, requested by Nelson, will be used for an Instrument Landing System at the airport.

"Reliable transportation is a key component of economic growth and development," said Nelson. "By improving the infrastructure of our rural communities, we are improving the quality of life for residents and encouraging business investment. This funding will allow McCook Airport to continue to grow and meet the continuing needs of its users."

"By having an ILS, we could lower the ceiling at which landings are possible from 400 feet to 200 feet," said Dick Trail, a former Air Force officer who now flies for corporate and private clients in McCook. In addition, Trail said, an Instrument Landing System would cut visibility from a half mile to a quarter mile.

The Instrument Landing System is a series of specialized pieces of equipment, including a glide slope, a localizer and special electronic beams which guide pilots up and down the runway. The new equipment would allow more flights to land in McCook than is currently possible. Doug Vap, chairman of the McCook Airport Advisory Committee said the equipment is important for medical emergency flights, medical specialists who fly in to the McCook Airport and the public air service provided by Great Lakes Aviation.

The legislation will now be sent to the full Senate for consideration.