61912015 Sl¥fll.e business 0041er sa~ HorryCountytl)ing to close his doo- WBTW-TV: NEMS, Weather, and Sports for Florence, SC 

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Skydive business owner says Horry County 

trying to close his doors 

Posted: May 15, 2014 1:04AM EDT 

Updated: May 15, 2014 1:04AM EDT 

By AJ Jana~.e , News13 Digital Journalist CONNECT 

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)- Amongst Harry County's lease discussion with se~.eral 

aeronautical companies, one skydiw business in North Myrtle Beach has filed both a local and 

federal lawsuit. 

Harry County will haw third and final reading on sewral lease agreements for area aeronautical 

businesses that use county owned property. 

One business not included on that list Is Skydiw Myrtle Beach. 

"It just seems that they don't want this type of business out here," said Aaron Holly. 

Aaron Holly is the owner of Skydiw Myrtle Beach. 

He says his business brings tourists to Grand Strand Airport, employs more than a dozen local 

residents, and boosts the economy of North Myrtle Beach. 

Holly says the issues with the county began immediately after a trespassing dispute when a county 

employee let himself Into Skydive Myrtle Beach's hangar. 

"From there stemmed a 72 hour take-it or leaw-it space use permit that was issued by the county 

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61912015 Sk}diw business ov.ner sa>S HorryCountytr}ing to close his doo - WBTW-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Florence, SC 

attorney and nel.1:lr went through the reading process through the county," said Holly. 

Holly says he turned down the county's lease agreement because it stated they could be remol.1:ld 

from the property with only 24 hours notice. It also stated the lease would only be valid for 3 months, 

and the county asked for 24% of Skydil.1:l Myrtle Beach's gross earnings. 

"Those are all three terms that are just unacceptable to any person, anybody that owns a small 

business. You can't operate like that," said Holly 

Holly says el.1:ln though he receil.1:ld a-Action letters in April, the county still cashes his checks. 

Within the case documents, Harry County lists a series of complaints against Skydiw Myrtle Beach; 

including misuse of the property as well as skydiwrs landing on Highway 31. 

"Nobody has ewry landed on any road or caused any damage at all, so that would be a false claim 

on their part," said Holly. 

News 13 reached out to Harry County officials for a response to the current lawsuit. 

In a written response they stated: "The County is in receipt of a copy of the Complaint (attached} 

which will be re~ewed and processed by the legal department and responded to within the time set 

forth by our court rules. It is County policy not to pro-.ide any commentary on substantil.1:l matters 

relating to pending litigation". 

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6/912015 Changes to Grand Strand Regional Airport getting off the ground 1 The SUn New.J The sun News 

Local sEPTEMBER 27, 201, 

Changes to Grand Strand Regional Airport getting off the ground 

HIGHLJGHTS 

North Myrtle Beach hoping airport changes its name to reflect its community 

BY JASON M, RODRIGUEZ- JRODRIGUEZ@THESUNNEWS.COM ---- - ··~ -~· 

Pilot Greg Duckworth has seen subtle changes to the Grand strand Regional Airport recently- a sign Harry County has now placed its hands in the operation. 

''The county has gone through and cleaned the hangars," said Duckworth, also a North Myrtle Beach City Councilman. "It's still kind of early." 

Early, but the gears are in motion to help one of the state's busiest general aviation airports improve and maybe even change its name to reflect the city it is 

located in. 

The airport was built during World War II by the Air Force, and was first known as the "Wampee Flight Strip." It was closed after World War II and turned over for 

local government use by the War Assets Administration, according to Pat Dowling, spokesman for North Myrtle Beach. 

Aviation company Ramp 66 ran the 427-acre airport since 1978. Earlier this year, the county signed off on a plan to buy back the last seven years of the lease on 

the airport and took back management. Money used to buy out the contract came from $2 million the airport received from a sale of land. The move came on 

the heels of Ramp 66 not being able to find a private buyer. So, the county stepped in and used existing fuel and hangar contracts to obtain lower costs with the 

Grand strand Airport. It also plans to see reduced liability insurance offered to governments by the state. 

The county expects a $270,000 boost in revenue annually as it completes the take over. 

Aside from the cleaning of hangar floors, the county has acquired, through lease, two newer model fuel trucks to meet the service needs and expectations of the 

customers, said Kirk Lovell, spokesman for the county's Department of Airports. Lovell said the county has repaired all aircraft tow motors to ensure they meet 

safe operating guidelines. 

He said the North Ramp Apron reconstruction project will kick off Tuesday. 

Other improvements include the installation of LEED lighting on the hangars to enhance safety and security, the cleaning of interiors of fixed-base operator 

terminal and all buildings under county control, an upgrade of telecommunications systems to fiber optic enhancing operational capabilities in case of an 

emergency, and a new aircraft ground power unit on order for mid~October delivery. 

The county has also made an effort to create a better visiting environment for pilots and their guests, including providing free bottled water, coffee and tea; 

placing Adirondack chairs around the ramp side for visitor and customer entertainment and replacing the putting green. 

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619f201b Changes to Grand Strand Reg10nal Airport getting ott the ground t The sun News The sun News 

Dowling said the airport is of great importance to the area and seeing improvements is gratifying. 

"It is important to locals on a number of levels," he said. "Quite a few North Myrtle Beach area residents and property owners own and/or lease planes and use 

the airport to fly to and from business and vacation destinations. Some who own second homes here also use the airport. It is very useful to a segment of 

visitors and out·of-area business people who use it to come in and out of the area." 

As for the potential name change of the airport, Dowling said it would boost pride. 

"From the point of view of community pride, it would be nice to have the airport named after the city where it is located," Dowling said. "That identification could 

also only add to the attractiveness of visiting, residing in or doing business in North Myrtle Beach." 

Duckworth said the name change doesn't matter much to him, but it's the matter of keeping the airport afloat. 

"It's a very convenient airport," Duckworth said. "I'm looking forward to all the improvements the county plans for it." 

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1/:a/~ 1':) Horry L.Ollll)' a1rportS nnomg ways to Increase revenue 1 1 ne ::SlJ1 News 

LOCAL MARCH 30, 2015 

Harry County airports finding ways to increase revenue 

HIGHLIGHTS 

Horry County Council members are exploring more competitive airplane fuel prices, a more aggressive approach to leasing 

land owned by Horry County and improving facilities at the county's four airports as talks of selling three of its airports have 

subsided. 

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IU.Lit!J.J 10 Norry ~._,ourny anports nmmg ways 10 Increase revenue 1 1 ne 1:>\.111 News 

A view of the Myrtle Beach International Airport from the air on Wednesday, March 25, 2015. According to the latest U.S. Census ligures, the 

Myrtle Beach area is the second fastest growing area in the country. Photo by Janet Blackmon Morgan I jblackmon@thesunnews.com I 

jblackmon@thesunnews.com 

BY JASON M. RODRIGUEZ- JRODRIGUEZ@THESUNNEWS.COM 

Harry County Council members are exploring more competitive airplane fuel prices, a more aggressive approach to 

leasing land owned by Harry County and improving facilities at the county's four airports as talks of selling three of its 

airports have subsided. 

The Harry County Department of Airports saw a $152,000 loss last year operating its three smaller airports- Grand 

Strand Regional in North Myrtle Beach, Conway and Loris. The department also runs the area's largest airport, Myrtle 

Beach International, which is the only one that operates at a profit. 

"With the exception of Myrtle Beach, they're all losing money," said Council Chairman Mark Lazarus at the council's 

spring budget retreat last week. "The decision has got to be made at some point, do we really want to keep Conway? Is it 

a necessary component? Or do we want to give the opportunity there for private developers? We're building T-hangars 

there now, so you're going to see some incomes come up there. 

"We're going to have to figure out the right model for Loris, if we continue, or do we sell Loris? We may look at selling 

Loris and Conway and operate with all of our forces into the two other ones." 

But a report from Pat Apone, director of the Department of Airports, changed the tone of the conversation as she 

outlined the department's recent strides to get the smaller airports making a profit. 

Councilman Al Allen, who is also a pilot, said he has seen the changes at Conway airport, including an adjustment to 

make fuel prices more competitive with Columbus County (N.C.) Municipal Airport, which is known for its low airplane 

fuel prices. 

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fl.t:LJLU"I~ Horry t..ourny atrports nnomg ways to tncrease revenue 1 1 ne ~News 

"They have done an excellent job at the Conway airport and I've seen a lot of changes compared to our past leadership in 

the airports," Allen said. "They are starting to attract some of that traffic away from the [Columbus County] airport and 

they are folks who are flying, looking for the cheaper fuel when they come there that see there is so much more to offer 

when they come to Conway airport than in Whiteville (N.C.) They don't have a maintenance facility, they don't have any 

hangars available and we have all of that." 

In North Myrtle Beach, the airport was built during World War II by the Air Force, and was first known as the "Wampee 

Flight Strip." It was closed after World War II and turned over for local government use by the War Assets 

Administration, according to the city of North Myrtle Beach. 

Aviation company Ramp 66 had run the 427-acre airport since 1978. In 2013, the county signed off on a plan to buy 

back the last seven years of the lease on the airport and took back management. Money used to buy out the contract 

came from $2 million the airport received from a sale ofland. The move came after Ramp 66 was not able to find a 

private buyer. So, the county stepped in and used existing fuel and hangar contracts to obtain lower costs with the Grand 

Strand Airport. It also plans to see reduced liability insurance offered to governments by the state. 

Shortly after acquiring the Grand Strand Airport, it began the North Ramp Apron reconstruction project and installed 

LEED lighting on the hangars to enhance safety and security. 

Councilman Harold Worley said the county knew what would face when it took over control of Grand Strand. 

"We chose to move forward with those renovations to bring those levels of services up and not necessarily to make 

money, but to give the highest level of services to try to bring in more business and economic development partners," 

Worley said. 

Apone said a recent uptick in military fueling sales has traditionally helped two of its airports. 

"Both of these airports, [Myrtle Beach International] and Grand Strand, both have a history of making money off of 

military sales," she said. 

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fiLt/LUl~ Horry L.oumy airports nno1ng weys 10 tncrease revenue 1 1 ne ::xtn News 

The county's airport department has a tract ofland near Barefoot Resort in North Myrtle Beach and an 80-acre piece of 

land in front of the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. Lazarus said he'd be interested in hearing what the airport could 

do with it. 

"Come back to us with a plan," Lazarus said."! think we'll be very receptive to it. You've got a lot of properties to deal 

with. You're also taking the initiative of looking at leasing versus selling property in North Myrtle Beach, which would 

give us a continual revenue stream to help support the North Myrtle Beach airport, which I think is a good thing. We're 

getting a lot of interest in that." 

"This administration is taking much better initiative, to me, than our prior administration has and I appreciate that," he 

said. 

Apone took over the department in September 2013 after the contract of Mike LaPiere, former director, was not 

renewed. 

Lazarus said he was pleased with the direction the airport was going. 

"! think the consensus is not to seek private industry to come in and operate, but maybe look at the private industry to 

build their own hangars and maybe lease some space," Lazarus said. "!think they're in the right direction." 

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/U.LU.VH:> ~.:or ana >:>trano f'llrpon ramp renao aneaa 01 scneoU!e 1 1 ne ::::.un News 

LOCAL NOVEMBER 15,2013 

Grand Strand Airport ramp rehab ahead of schedule 

HIGHLIGHTS 

The $2.9 million ramp rehabilitation project at Grand Strand Airport is ahead of schedule, and officials are reporting the noise from the first phase of construction 

hasn't drawn complaints from nearby neighbors. 

BY JASON M. RODRIGUEZ- JRODRIGUEZ@THESUNNEWS.COM 

The $2.9 million ramp rehabilitation project at Grand Strand Airport is ahead of schedule, and officials are reporting the noise from the first phase of 

construction hasn't drawn complaints from nearby neighbors. 

The airport is replacing the existing asphalt apron north of the Grand Strand terminal with a concrete surface. The first phase of the project began Oct. 1, and 

Georgia-based Summers Concrete Contracting has been working on it since. 

Tom Hinkel, director of plans and compliance with the county's Department of Airports, said plans have been running smoothly. 

"We're five to 10 days ahead of schedule," he said. "The weather's held and we're very fortunate and very lucky as far as the weather's concerned." 

Hinkel said the first phase tasks of milling, excavation, compaction and grading is complete. He said at the current rate, Summers Concrete should have the 

first phase, which is the bulk of the work, done before Christmas. 

The county has taken over responsibility for the airport this year. Aviation company Ramp 66 ran the 427-acre airport since 1978. Earlier this year, the county 

signed off on a plan to buy back the last seven years of the lease on the airport and took back management. Money used to buy out the contract came from $2 

million the airport received from a sale of land. The move came on the heels of Ramp 66 not being able to find a private buyer. So, the county stepped in and 

used existing fuel and hangar contracts to obtain lower costs with the Grand Strand Airport. It also plans to see reduced liability insurance offered to 

governments by the state. 

The county expects a $270,000 boost in revenue annually as it completes the take over. 

The county has been making a number of improvements at the airport, including the cleaning of hangar floors, acquiring two newer model fuel trucks to meet 

the service needs and expectations of the customers, and it has repaired all aircraft tow motors to ensure they meet safe operating guidelines. 

The project is being funded by a $2.6 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration, $56,000 in state grants and $23 5,000 of local money from the 

county's Department of Airports. 

Pat Apone, interim department of airports director for Bony County, said the airport has met with city officials to make sure lines of communication are open 

as construction is ongoing. 

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"You're going to see a lot more of that as we go through these projects to make sure everybody's aware of what's happening," she said. 

Pat Dowling, spokesman for North Myrtle Beach, said the city appreciates the transparency, and construction workers have been cognizant of neighbors around 

the airport. 

"Communication has been good and we certainly appreciate it," Dowling said. ''They are doing all they can to minimize the project's impact on surrounding 

areas. We're glad that the department now has direct involvement in the operation of the airport, and we continue to be thankful for the plans they have for 

future improvements to the airport." 

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Horry County General Aviation Minimum 

Standards Questions 

January 2, 2015 9:32 AMViews: 1099 

By Paul Gable 

An ordinance amending minimum standards at Horry County's general aviation airports has been flying 

below the radar. 

The ordinance is scheduled for second reading and public review at the January 6, 2015 regular meeting 

11tp://grandstrarddaily.canlhorry-county-general-aviation-minimLrn-slardards-questi003/ 1/5 
q

, 

po

t Improvement Program Sponsor Assurances. 

1. The owner or operator of any airport (airport sponsor) that has been developed or improved with Federal grant assistance or conveyances of Federal property assistance is required to operate the 

airport for the use and benefit of the public and to make it available for all types, kinds, and classes 

of aeronautical activity. 

2. Federal law requires that recipients of Federal grants (administered by the FAA) sign a grant 

agreement or covenant in a conveyance of property that sets out the obligations that an airport 

sponsor assumes in exchange for Federal assistance. 

3 .... these Federal obligations involve several distinct requirements. Most important is that the airport 

and its facilities must be available for public use as an airport. The terms imposed on those who 

use the airport and its services must be reasonable and applied without unjust discrimination, ... 

4. Skydiving is an aeronautical activity. Any restriction, limitation, or ban on skydiving on the airport 

must be based on the grant assurance that provides that the airport sponsor may prohibit or limit 

aeronautical use for the safe operation of the airport (subject to FAA approval). 

Reasonable treatment without unjust discrimination does not appear to always be the attitude of Harry 

County's Department of Airports. 

Harry County currently finds itself in litigation with Skydive Myrtle Beach for, among other allegations, discriminatory treatment. 

A February 19, 2014letter (referred to in a previous article) from the Harry County Attorney's Office to 

Skydive Myrtle Beach offered a "Short Term Space Use Permit" for the "CRE hangar" at Grand Strand 

Airport. 

Among the various requirements outlined in the letter was a fee for use of the space of"$1,200 per 

month or 24% of gross revenues, whichever is greater." 

HCDA's lease with Huffman Helicopters, approved by county council approximately one year ago, requires 5% of gross revenues. 

How is requesting 24% of one business' gross revenues vs. 5% of another business' gross revenues at all 

reasonable and applied without unjust discrimination? 

(It must be noted that Sky dive Myrtle Beach is only required to pay $1200 per month while litigation 

with HCDA is ongoing, but the intent ofHCDA's offer, before litigation commenced, is extremely 

questionable.) 

Before Horry County Council gives further approval to HCDA's amendment to its minimum standards 

for general aviation airports, it should take a closer look at whether HCDA is functioning in accordance 

FAA requirements and, if not, why not 

http://grandstranddaily.comlhorry-caJilty-department-airports-conundri.HTl/ 216 
lJ.ot •ine 

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Horry County General Aviation Minimum 

Standards Questions 

January 2, 2015 9:32 AMViews: 1099 

By Paul Gable 

An ordinance amending minimum standards at Horry County's general aviation airports has been flying 

below the radar. 

The ordinance is scheduled for second reading and public review at the January 6, 2015 regular meeting 

rttpJigrandstranddaily.ccmlrorry-COl.nty-general-avialicn-mirimLm-stardards-questionsl 115 
Carotti 's statement makes it clear that minimum standards for general aviation airports in Horry County 

were established in response to litigation. 

According to information received by GSD, Sky dive Myrtle Beach filed an FAA Part 16 complaint 

against Horry County Department of Airports with the Federal Aviation Administration on February 24, 2014 based on a February 19, 20141etter to Skydive Myrtle Beach from Horry County Deputy Attorney 

H. Randolph Haldi. 

Part of the letter refers to 15 alleged rule violations by Skydive Myrtle Beach to rules that were only first 

discussed at the Horry County Administration Committee on April4, 2014. 

According to county records, an ordinance establishing the minimum standard rules passed third reading 

of council at its May 20, 2014 regular meeting. 

Even applying a pending ordinance doctrine, it is impossible for Skydive Myrtle Beach to have violated 

these minimum standard rules prior to April 2014. 

Ordinance 36-14, which established the minimum standards at Horry County general aviation airports 

and is now being amended, was rushed through according to Carotti's own words. 

Before this amendment is also rushed through three readings of council, it would seem prudent for 

council to take a step back, study the potential liability of the county to litigation now in process with 

relation to these minimum standards and determine if these minimum standards apply equally to all 

general aviation businesses with leases at Horry County general aviation airports. 

Related 

llorf\ Count' Counctl 1'\ccd:s 

Counsel 

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It ·Po ~.:.., • 

Horn Count\ Department of 

Atrpons Conundrum 

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Horf\ Count) Counctl Looks at 

Atrports 

Aprtl; 2 I" 

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