A Pennsylvania airport will be the first GA field to get money from the federal government’s stimulus package, AOPA reported this week. Allegheny County Airport, near Pittsburgh, will get $2 million to renovate a taxiway and relocate a ramp. “The money will definitely be put to good use,” airport manager Dave Shaw told AOPA. “Not only will it straighten out the taxiways, but it will also make space in the upper-west ramp for future development to allow us to continue to grow and thrive.” More money should be coming soon for “shovel-ready” GA projects, AOPA said. Meanwhile, lots of GA companies are offering promotions of various kinds to try to stimulate their own economies. Socata this week announced a new co-ownership program for buyers of its TBM 850 turboprop, offering one-third shares. The program cuts ownership costs and provides professional management services, the company said.
Also this week, Continental Motors said it will offer rebates of $1,000 to $2,000 on factory-rebuilt engines through April 15, on top of a recent price cut of 10 percent. “Aircraft owners may want to research the many benefits of installing a genuine factory-new or factory-rebuilt engine versus an overhaul service prior to reinvesting in their aircraft,” the company said in a news release. American Legend Aircraft Company also announced this week a new “Aeronomic Stimulus,” reducing its price on the next five Legend Cub LSAs sold to $99,895. Many more GA airports should expect a cut from the $1.1 billion allotted to airports in the $787 billion stimulus package, AOPA said. The funds will go to projects such as taxiway improvements, additional lighting, and the construction of aprons, and it is in addition to money provided for airports by the FAA’s regular Airport Improvement Program.
