What's New FAA Honors GMU Airport Director The FAA Southern Region has selected Joe Frasher, Airport Director of GMU, as the 2008 General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year. This prestigious award is presented to a general aviation airport manager in the Southeast who makes outstanding efforts to increase flight safety. Mr. Frasher was instrumental in completing numerous safety-enhancing projects at GMU over the last 26 years. "The staff of the Greenville Downtown Airport is distinguished in its commitment to continually increasing flight safety," said Rusty Chapman, recently retired Manager of the Airports Division, FAA Southern Region. "They accomplished a significant number of safety upgrades while still successfully operating the state's busiest general aviation airport." The award was presented to Mr. Frasher at the 2009 FAA Communications Conference in Atlanta on January 30, 2009. Economic Impact of the Greenville Downtown Airport The South Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Aeronautics, recently completed an economic impact study for all of the State's airports. The results for the Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) were most impressive: Total Employment - 453 jobs Total Payroll - $13.4 million Total Economic Impact = $35.2 million The report notes that GMU is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina with nearly 80,000 take-offs and landings annually and more than 245 based aircraft. This modern, attractive facility offers a full-range of aviation services that support the Upstate's thriving business environment. Also of note, GMU's aircraft traffic count remained strong in 2008 despite rising fuel prices. Recent Improvements at GMU The Greenville Airport Commission has completed a series of major improvements to the Greenville Downtown Airport. Over the past five years, the following safety improvements have been made to the airport: - Installed MALSF approach lights for Runway 1. - Overlayed and grooved Runway 1-19. - Installed distance-to-go signs on Runway 1-19. - Installed 4-box PAPI systems at both ends of Runway 1-19. - Overlayed Taxiway A and connecting taxiways. - Installed an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) at the departure end of Runway 1. - Created designated helicopter landing areas and marked taxi lanes on the south aircraft apron. - Doubled the width of all hold lines to make them more visible, thereby improving safety. - Installed airport security fencing. - Overlayed northwest aircraft parking apron. - Installed enhanced taxiway markings. - Overlayed southwest aircraft parking apron.