Delphi Airport takes first step to extend runway
By Debbie Lowe

Soon to be smooth Pilot Kyle Germond flies over the south end of Delphi's Municipal Airport runway which will be leveled by installing a culvert and ground cover to create a safety zone recommended by the FAA. The finished project will match the one at the north end of the landing strip. Comet photo by Debbie Lowe

Delphi's Municipal Airport is considered by many to be a relief airport for the Purdue University Airport in West Lafayette.

However, at approximately 2,900 feet long, some airplanes the airport board and the city of Delphi would like to encourage to land there do not. Small jets and larger twin engine planes are not able to land at the Delphi airport because there may not be enough runway length for them to develop enough speed to take off, or enough room to stop after landing.

"We're working to build activity at the airport," airport board president Mike Fife said. "We need more runway to allow businesses and corporate planes to use the facility."

To be able to accommodate the larger aircraft, Fife said the runway needs to be lengthened to about 4,000 feet. Fife said that task takes preparation.

He stated the Federal Aviation Administration is expected to fund 90 percent of the total airport expansion project. However, the first thing needed to be done is to follow an FAA recommendation to create a safety zone for aircraft emergencies at the south end of the airfield much like the one at the north end.

The compliance project, consisting of installing a culvert in the Robert S. Trawin open ditch, will cost approximately $227,289. Seeded fill dirt will be put around and on top of the new culvert making it look like the safety zone at the north end of the field.

"We have to get across the creek before we can do anything else," Fife said.

The project bid was awarded to Rinehart Excavating for $196,000. Fife said work is scheduled to begin in September and is expected to take about 30 days.

"We have a lot of work to do before we actually lay pavement to extend the existing runway," Fife said. "We don't expect to start that construction for another two years."

The project was engineered by NGC of Indianapolis. Fife said NGC is involved with many airports in Indiana and is the primary engineer for the GaryChicago facility.

Delphi City Council President Carolyn Pearson is pleased with the progress of the project.

"We would all agree this airport expansion will be good for the airport and the city," she said.