Pilots, aviation interests seek dialogue with Lock Haven government on possible airport sale

LOCK HAVEN, PA – There was a large turnout last week for a meeting of those with an aviation interest in response to word that the City of Lock Haven may have an interest in selling the city-owned William T. Piper Memorial Airport.

The City disclosed a month ago it is looking at a possible airport sale to an aviation interest, information from City Manager Greg Wilson showing that city operations there have run at a $1.9 million deficit over the last decade.

Some 80 people, both pilots and non-pilots, gathered in the Piper Aviation Museum last week, another 50 or so participating/observing by Zoom. A meeting attendee told The Record that while meeting participants did not have a positive response to any prospective airport sale plans, the session was positive in a willingness to work with the city as any sale proposal may move forward.

Bellefonte-based engineer Alan Uhler gave a presentation about the sizeable economic impact the airport has on the area. It was decided to create a committee of volunteers to be involved with city plans as they might be developed.

The Record first reported in early August that city airport employees had been notified by letter about pursuit of a possible sale.

That July letter said the first step would be to get an appraisal to determine the value of the 110-acre site. The Wilson letter also said, “The city may (with may in italics) be interested soon in selling the airport for aviation use.” He said the information to employees and tenants “will make sure that anyone local with an interest in buying the airport has enough time in advance to consider that possibility.”

Since the original 70-acre city purchase in 1937, the city has added another 40 acres to the site. Since Piper Aircraft Corporation’s 1984 departure, Wilson wrote, “the airport has been a difficult investment for the city to make pay for itself.” He said the money the city takes in for rent and fuel sales doesn’t come close to covering operating expenses.