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Plymouth Runway Extension Update

Posted on: March 7, 2024 - 2:06pm

Plymouth Municipal Airport is considered a regional General Aviation (GA) Airport, under FAA definitions, serving small aircraft and regional charter service. The Airport supports daily Air Taxi and Charter services; daily flights for medivac, agricultural, and law enforcement; daily flight training, and weekly Angel Flights in support of life-sustaining medical transfers.

The Plymouth Airport Commission undertook a Technical Master Plan effort in 2021, in order to address Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) safety standards compliance and found that the current Runway length did not meet the recommended runway length for the current fleet of aircraft operating at the Airport. A number of Alternatives were presented to the public over a year-long process and the Airport Commission, with feedback from the public selected a preferred Alternative for a limited extension to Runway 6.

The primary purpose of this extension to Runway 6 is to meet FAA safety standards and to allow for safer approach and takeoff distances.

The project proposed consists of:

  • construction of a 351-foot (ft) long by 75 ft wide extension to the Runway 6 end of Runway 6-24 for a new total runway length of 5,001 ft
  • 351 ft long by 35 ft wide extension of Taxiway E, a full-length parallel taxiway on the north side of the runway
  • 351 ft long by 35 ft wide extension to Taxiway A, a partial length taxiway located on the south side of the runway
  • relocation of the Medium Intensity Runway Lighting (MIRL), Medium Intensity Approach Light System with Sequenced Flashing Lights (MALSF), and Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), for Runway 6.

The work proposed is intended to bring the Airport into compliance with FAA design criteria, The Project is not intended to, and the Airport Commission has no desire to accommodate larger jets and commercial passenger operations given the additional design and safety requirements, and overall Airport expansion that would be required.

Some questions have been raised about the runway expansions' effect on the amount of air traffic. In particular, the frequency of jets over the neighborhood, during the day as well as all hours of the night. There is always the potential for an increase in air traffic, with or without the added runway length. However, the goal of an extension of this length is to increase the safety of the aircraft currently using Plymouth. Many aircraft currently utilizing the Airport (Plymouth Airport businesses) are operating with moderate to significant limitations due to the current runway length. These limitations are exacerbated when the runway is contaminated with rain or snow. The Plymouth Airport Commission and Plymouth Airport Management will continue to work with the flying public to encourage adherence to the published noise abatement procedures, including a discouragement of early morning and nighttime arrivals and departures. The airport is obligated to allow operations at night, however, the airport has historically been successful in encouraging operations that are amenable to the community. We strive for a stable, safe, sustainable airport. This project does not provide infrastructure for larger aircraft to use the airport. Larger, heavier aircraft require wider runways, taxiways, and thicker pavement. None of this is being considered.

A full Environmental Assessment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) is currently in the final stages. Public comment was encouraged and incorporated throughout the EA process. Environmentally, the project will be in full compliance with local, state and federal regulations. There will be substantial mitigation for the grassland birds that currently occupy areas of the Airport. The Airport will put into permanent protection grassland areas at a 3:1 ratio of the area impacted by the project. It should be noted that airports are one of the few areas in the state that have expanses of grassland that are protected through permitting (as is being done for this project) for these endangered species. The Airport does not use any chemicals, deicers or salt on its paved surfaces, as opposed to the roadways, thereby protecting the sole source aquifer to the maximum extent possible. Storm water will be treated and infiltrated in accordance with state and federal regulations.