The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1948-01-29
The Airport
ESTABLISHED 1907

the county commissioners In regard TO Tic dlfpoTI, anu
since our last weeks correspondent has gathered so
many erroneous facts concerning the airport, we are
afraid we are going to have quite a lot to say about
this particular proposition.
First let us dissect the statements IN the letter.
We were there and we should know. Elaborate" is
not the word to describe the type of airport requested
in the first place. The county surveyor drew some
plans all right, but they were not for a hangar. The
only building contemplated is a small Inexpensive adj
miniStration building.
The airstrip in the valley (which, by the way, is
already constructed) is not bv the county yards, but
rather on the fairgrounds, at the opposite end OF town.
And we'd very much like to meet the government man
who approved it. The only government man we know
of who visited both the county airport and the airstrip
site, was CAA representative, and he certainly did not
approve the airstrip, but instead said that the county
airport was an exceptionally fine natural site, and that
government approval could not be given the alrstrp,
for a good many reasons, including length OF runWays
and Instructions.
AS for its use to the community, we think perhaps
we had better first set forth the facts in regard to the
plans for improving the county airport; then we'll GO
into the matter of its probable usefulness.
We have carried several stories in the Tribune
Herald containing the facts about the airport, but ap~
parently some people either don't read the paper, don't
understand what they read, or don't believe us. These
facts can be checked, and the county surveyor invites
anyone interested in the airport to call at his office and
look over the plans.
The county has carried a one mill levy for the air.
port for only a short length of time, but last spring had
accumulated some money WHICH COuIu UG u luIS
purpose. Meantime, through the CAA the govern
ment offered to match funds of a sponsor for airport
improvement, the sponsor to furnish AZ per cent and
the government So per cent of the total spent. 10 OBJ
tain the federal money, plans had to be approved by
the CAA.
After considerable discussion, the county commits
sioners decided this was a good way to spend the money
already earmarked by law for an airport, since what
Big Horn county spends will be more than matched
by federal money. The commissioners further felt that
the approval and assistance of the CAA would be OF
great value, since experts in this organization could
recommend the best methods and items of greatest need.
1t is obvious to everyone that the county airport
is no earthly use to anyone Except as a temporary
landing spot) without a telephone and all weather &C
cess road. A telephone means a building to house it.
2, Plans for improvements to the airport are drawn,
have been approved by the district CAA office In Hell
ena and have been forwarded to the regional CAA Of
flee in Seattle for final approval. If this approval
comes through in 80 days, Hardin will have the Sec
ond airport in Montana under construction under the
CAA plan, although there are many, many more in
the planning stage. ~ .> I
The first thing which will be tackled will be the
access road, the county surveyor tells us: This road
will go through the hills approximately at the location
of the No. 6 green on the golf course, and will give
access to the course as well as the airport. 1t will be
graveled. The work will be done with county equip
ment on a cost account basis.
The administration building measures Is X % and
will be of frame construction. 1t will contain a tele-l
phone and electric lights.
$50 Line prnc1pal lanQlnS STrlp, o,UUU IeeI long, Will
run northwest to southeast. Acheck has revealed that
this is the direction of the prevailing winds. The strip
will be conferred by a stabilized turf runway rs feet by
$500 feet. Stabilized turf is commend by the
CAA where the expenditure for oiing or paving does
not seem justified. The runway is graded and gravel
is mixed with the soil. 1t is then seeded to a special
mixture furnished by the CAA. Commercial planes
now in operation would be able to land on this run
way, the county surveyor has been informed.
Two other runWays will also be graded and turfed. /
One runs due north and south and is $3.50 feet lonoI
and the other, southwest by northeast, is $500 feet IN
length.
Private individuals will be permitted to erect hang
ars and other buildings within the confines and loca-
tions specified on the plans. The county will give long
term. low cost leases for the land covered bv such
buildings.
What we will have, when present plans are COM
pleted, is this: An all-weather access road. an admins
tration building with telephone, one really good run