Updates about Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (NWFBIA)

[SHELLY]

Thanks people for the updates. So much bad news, I tend to look long and see the glass half-full. Respects to Shelley as leader of the half empty outlook.

Whether the glass is half-full or half-empty actually depends on how far the investulator is underwater on his investment.

.

 

[Matt J]

Ah, but one thing to think about here...where does SHELLY live? ;-)

<Raises hand> ;-)

 

[Seagrove Lover]

Knew you were out there Shelly!

Just want to acknowledge you have predicted a lot of the mess, maybe even doing a service by warning the newbies.

I can make the payments on my properties, so I guess I am still "right side up." Glass half full!

Just know I think 30a and property along it is still paradise and just cause its worth (less) it will be paradise for a long time to come!

Airport is a big plus as we go forward.


PS - Sorry about spelling your name wrong, been idle a long time!

;-)

 

[Smiling JOe]

The following is from www.pcbdaily.com
Main Runway is PAVED at New Airport - VIDEO!

Written by Jason Koertge

3 Comments

Last Updated: February 2, 2009


That’s right, the approved 8,400 feet of the main runway at the new airport site in Panama City is complete. With the exception of the center where the runway lights will be installed, they are done. Approval should come shortly from the FAA for the extension to the full 10,000 feet which will take just over 14 days to complete.


Onsite, they have the capability to produce concrete at the pace of filling a new mixing truck every 2.5 minutes so the actual paving goes pretty quick. The concrete layer is 15 inches thick and it lays on top of 4 inches of asphalt. The density is also much greater than the stuff you use to to pour your home’s foundation.


The terminal barely resembles a frame right now but is coming along. Construction time on the terminal will last almost the duration of the project, along with te air traffic control tower. The air traffic control tower has 72 piles already installed that reach 45 feet into the earth. Instead of using pre-cast piles, they used auger-cast piles said Roy Willett, Senior Project Manager of KBR. Auger-cast piles are set by drilling into the ground, and as the dirt comes up, it is replaced with concrete, all the while placing a steel rebar pole down the middle for reinforcement. In the video, you can see where the earth movers are digging around the rebar to clear out the top of the pilings.


In my interview with Dr. Ed Wright, stand-in director of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance, it was mentioned that he wasn’t sure if the new airport would need any modifications with regards to turn-radius/taxiway requirements to accommodate the large Airbus A380 or other large cargo aircraft. Willett confirmed that short of the largest of the Antonov and the largest of the Airforce’s cargo planes, the new airport will be able to accommodate it all with the 10,000 foot runway - turning radii and all. Awesome, just flat-out awesome.!


The Panama City Airport relocation is moving along quickly with the main runway almost completely paved. The prep work has been done for the extension to 10,000 and upon FAA approval, will be complete within a couple weeks. The Terminal is under construction, as well as the air traffic control tower.


January Airport Construction Update on Vimeo


More terminal and runway construction photos available by clicking on the photo above.

 

[Kurt]

That is a lot of concrete!

 

[Matt J]

If it's paved, what's that ditch in the middle?

Is that for lights?

 

[Smiling JOe]

gayboi, as the video explains, that "ditch" down the middle is awaiting the cans to be installed for the runway lights, before paving that section. Watch the video.

 

[Smiling JOe]

That is a lot of concrete!

You are right! Currently, about a mile and a half of concrete for the long runway, with more coming after approval, 15 inches thick.

The story I posted from PCBDaily.com - Panama City Beach Information, Real Estate, Panama City Bay County International Airport, Pier Park addresses the Airbus A380, but when I mentioned the Airbus A380 possibilities, I thought a couple of the pilots on SoWal.com told us that it that runway wouldn't be able to handle that load. Have there been changes from the original depth of the concrete which have now "firmed up" the question?

 

[Matt J]

gayboi, as the video explains, that "ditch" down the middle is awaiting the cans to be installed for the runway lights, before paving that section. Watch the video.

Sorry I started to watch it, but the "cribs" style of editing is just hard to watch.

You are right! Currently, about a mile and a half of concrete for the long runway, with more coming after approval, 15 inches thick.

The story I posted from PCBDaily.com - Panama City Beach Information, Real Estate, Panama City Bay County International Airport, Pier Park addresses the Airbus A380, but when I mentioned the Airbus A380 possibilities, I thought a couple of the pilots on SoWal.com told us that it that runway wouldn't be able to handle that load. Have there been changes from the original depth of the concrete which have now "firmed up" the question?

Apparently if you can land a 747 then you can land an A380 with minor improvements.

Airbus A380 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This link gives the minimum landing distance which is less than 7,000 feet.

Aircraft Profiles

The new airport will be 10,000 feet and the width is the minimum A380 width of 150 feet so theoretically it's possible.

 

[Smiling JOe]

The reasons given for not being able to land the Airbus A380 (loaded with... let's say packages) was the depth of concrete, not the length of the runway.