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Getting ready for the air show

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By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: August 5, 2009

DAVIS ISLANDS - When more than 10,000 people come to Davis Islands in November for an annual aviation summit, Paul Phillips wants to be prepared.

Phillips, director of general aviation for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, is overseeing improvements to Peter O. Knight Airport, at the southern tip of Davis Islands. Begun in October 2008, the project is slated to be completed by October, weeks before the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association hosts its annual convention.

The project entails shifting the main runway about 175 feet to create more open land on the small airport's northeast side. This move, prompted by a Florida Department of Transportation licensing requirement, increases the distance between the runway and a seawall to 240 feet.

Phillips said workers are building an additional hangar with eight covered bays to house small twin-engine aircraft. The more-than-20,000-square-foot building will be along Seddon Channel, near an existing dog park.

"The waiting list has shrunk because of the economic conditions," Phillips said, referring to those hoping to occupy one of the future hangar bays. At its high point, more than 100 people wanted to use the hangar; about 30 of them remain interested.

The Aviation Authority and state transportation department are paying for the almost $1 million runway project and $1.4 million hangar. Smaller enhancements have included upgrading the runway lighting and repaving the second runway.

"We've done a lot of improvements to make it nice for the summit," Phillips said. "The airport will be virtually new. We're really excited."

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

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