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New automated weather system helping pilots at San Manuel Airport
Received article

Saturday, July 24, 2010

SAN MANUEL – Ask any pilot what key piece of information they need when they fly and the answer you will most likely get is: weather conditions. Accurate and up-to-date weather information gives a pilot a wealth of knowledge before and during the flight.

San Manuel Airport has made a huge step forward in pilot safety with the new Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS).

Installed in April and commissioned by the Federal Aviation Authority in May, the new AWOS device delivers updated weather information for San Manuel Airport 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Pinal County Airport Economic Development Director Jim Petty said a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Program paid for the device and the installation.

“In all, the entire package was right in the neighborhood of $168,000,” Petty said. “The money in the Airport Improvement Program comes from fees collected by the federal agency from such items as fuel and ticket surcharges.”

Petty added that there are plans in place to connect the AWOS device to the National Weather Service to provide them with the latest observations from San Manuel.

“I’m impressed with this system,” said Chairman Pete Rios. “Not many small airports have devices like this. To be able to purchase this type of weather observation system and not spend local taxpayer dollars for it is a big plus. Weather conditions in this part of the county can change in moments. It’s my hope that this system will make San Manuel a more attractive destination for pilots.”

Pinal County has made several improvements to San Manuel Airport since 2000. The runway has been repaved, covered airport hangar spaces have been added, and a pilot’s lounge is now in place.

“With the improvements we have made to the airport, it is becoming more viable as an economic development conduit for this area,” Chairman Rios said. “Many of the airports in the Tucson area, such as Ryan Airfield and La Cholla Airpark, are usually very busy. San Manuel and the San Pedro Valley area in general offer a unique and beautiful flying experience. The sky is literally the limit for this facility.”

Petty said that even more improvements will be taking place at San Manuel Airport at the end of 2010.

“We will be constructing a parallel taxiway to the runway by the end of the year,” Petty said. “I’m excited that we will be able to do a project like this. The new taxiway will extend 4,700 feet. There will no longer be a need for airplanes to back taxi to the end of the runway and then turn around to take off. That will be another safety improvement for the airport.”

Anyone can access the information from the AWOS device at San Manuel Airport. Pilots and residents alike can call (520) 385-4238 for the latest weather report. Pilots can also dial their radios to 134.125 to hear the observations from the airport.