The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

A new structure takes shape at Big Sandy Airport. The 52 X 46 foot building will house ground maintenance vehicles including a new snow plow. Chouteau County Joint Airport board began plans, for the vehicle and building, approximately one year ago. Mark Reichelt, Big Sandy Airport manager and member of the airport board, says bidding for the building began soon after plans were finalized and Claussen and Sons, of Havre, received the job. Chouteau County currently supports three general aviation airports including Big Sandy, Fort Benton and Geraldine. Reichelt explains funding for these airports and their projects are supported through the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS). NPIAS, a branch of the Federal Aviation Administration, oversees the funding of airport improvement for over 3,300 public-use airports in the United States. According to Reichelt, Chouteau County receives money yearly for airport improvement and maintenance. NPIAS only administers money to airports with fully functioning pavement/runway systems. This project developed over the need for new snow removal equipment. "The new snow plow will be a giant upgrade of equipment compared to our old tractor plow," says Reichelt. The new plow, attached to a snow plow truck, has a bigger blade that throws the snow away from the runway and runway lights. As Reichelt explained, small airports are crucial, year round, for air ambulances, emergency landings and of course local pilots. Reichelt anticipates completion, of the building, in early February; just in time for the arrival of the new plow.