A new look for Fernandina Beach's municipal airport

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter - News Analyst

June 7, 2018 11:27 a.m.

After months and years of debate and controversy, the new terminal/welcome center at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport is finally off the drawing board and fast becoming a reality.  Anywhere from 50 to 75 workers are on site at any given time finishing drywall, tile, lighting and other parts of the interior.  Last week, work crews began work to assemble the most distinctive and controversial outdoor elements, which will transform the building into a unique structure suggesting an F4U Corsair, the original airplane flown at this airport.

Looking at the tail construction from inside the atrium

The $4.4M cost of the new facility is being funded by the City of Fernandina Beach and Bent Wing Flight Services.  It must be noted that while the city of Fernandina Beach is the official airport sponsor, the airport is not funded out of general tax revenues.  It is funded from an enterprise fund consisting of airport user fees, which must be used for airport purposes only.  Significant FAA and FDOT grants have also supported the current project.

Work on the “tail section” is well underway, with crews manufacturing it on site.  Huge steel beams rise out of the ground to support the tail.  Welding torches throw off sparks like 4^thof July sparklers.  Following installation of the tail section, on the east side of the new building, work will progress to the “nose section” on the opposite side.

Mike Cornell, Project Manager-Construction/Special Projects, Passero Associates

Mike Cornell, Project Manager for this unique building, indicated that about 75 percent of the work on the building has been completed.  The project is on track and on budget for completion toward the end of July this year.  The final element to be added will be the “cockpit” skylight, which is scheduled for delivery the second week of July.

Plywood covers what will be a skylight/cockpit in the atrium.

The scale model of the Corsair, commissioned and funded by the airport’s new Fixed Base Operator (FBO), will hang from the ceiling in the center atrium when construction work is completed.

Occupancy of the 2-story building will be shared by the City of Fernandina Beach, which owns the building, and Bent Wing Flight Services FBO, the building’s tenant.  The city occupies a third of the first floor and two thirds of the second floor, with the remainder the domain of the FBO. The airport manager’s office is located in the southwest corner of the ground floor; the FBO office is located in the northwest corner of the second floor.  Both offices have commanding views of the airfield.

Although the air handling system has yet to be installed, the building was remarkably cool during this reporter’s visit yesterday.  Cornell explained that the breezeway and the special coatings on the windows would help keep utility bills low.  The building is also full of natural light.

A feature that will be greatly enjoyed by airport visitors is the observation deck, covered by the south “wing” of the building.  The large expanse is tiled with non-slip material and affords a panoramic view of the airfield.

View from observation deck

Observation deck

Upgraded tile in one of the FBO restrooms

Brain Echard, President of Bent Wing Flight Services FBO, added many upgrades to his side of the building at his own expense.  Examples, besides the $75,000 Corsair model that will grace the atrium, include upgraded tile and counter materials throughout.  All the upgrades Echard financed will augment the city’s asset and remain whether or not his FBO remains at the city airport in the future.

The city’s portion of the building contains generously sized rooms that could serve as income producing venues for the city.  There are kitchen facilities on both sides of the facility.  It is possible to envision receptions and special events on the observation platform, which is on the city side, in addition to filling the large room that overlooks the airfield.

The new terminal is not yet open to the general public, but those who drive by will be able to note the progress.  The facility will be officially dedicated and opened for business the end of July.

Thanks to Mike Cornell and Passero Associates for allowing the Fernandina Observer an early inside peek into the new terminal.

Editor's Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne's many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.