$3m from federal stimulus to pave Hanscom for corporate jets

April 8, 2009 04:41 PM Email| Comments (12)| Text size – +

(Essdras M Suarez/Globe Staff/file)

By Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

The federal stimulus package has landed at Hanscom Field with $3 million to repave two taxiways for corporate jets.

The award is less than one-third of the $9.7 million the state requested when it submitted a list of "shovel-ready" projects ripe for stimulus money. The $3 million will be used to repave two taxiways, instead of the three described in the original pitch, which noted that corporate jets rely on the airfield in the heart of a high technology and business corridor.

“Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act we are creating jobs in Massachusetts and across the country while investing in the long-term safety and economic vitality of our airports,” US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said a statement released by the White House.

Massport, which operates Hanscom and submitted the request, said the funds will be used to refurbish taxiways M and G, which have not been rehabbed since 1980 and 1981, respectively, according to spokesman Richard Walsh. Although Hanscom is home to 60 corporate jets, it is a general aviation airport used by other private planes, the military, and student pilots at its two flight schools. The repaving of the taxiways will benefit everyone, Walsh said.

"To say that it is for corporate or any single category is an oversimplification," Walsh said.

Several state lawmakers opposed the project, including Representative Jay R. Kaufman, a Democrat from Lexington, one of the towns bordering Hanscom. Kaufman told the Globe in March that using federal stimulus money for this project "reinforces bad corporate behavior, not good corporate behavior."

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12 comments so far...

This makes me crazy. Some of the jobs created by the stimulus package will NOT meet all our standards- but it will put people to work. There are also a lot more than just "corporate jets" that fly in and out of Hanscom on those runways. There are chartered planes (sometimes carrying our Boston-based sports teams) and some air taxi services as well.

If we are so righteous that no dollar can be spent that offends ANYONE, no dollars will be spent. I think the local paving company will be happy to get the work- and those guys will have to eat lunch at the local pizza place and so on and so on.

Posted by Beth Sherman April 8, 09 05:06 PM

Hanscom AFB pumps well over a billion dollars into the local and regional economy every year. It is one of the last great economic engines of the region. It would be as bad for Massachusetts to lose Hanscom as it is for Michigan to lose GM. Just because the airfield is not part of the Air Force Base, doesn't mean that it isn't important for its operations. Paving the airstrip is pretty basic to having an airfield. Saying that this is for corporate jets is really really stupid reporting. Think the base closure commission is going to keep Hanscom AFB open in the next round of base closures if their aircraft lands and their plane gets a flat tire?

Posted by PD April 8, 09 05:10 PM

Why is so much taxpayer money going to comfort the rich? If they want to have a private "anything", why don't they pay for it? Hanscom is not a public facility. It is instead used by an exclusive club of people who either have an expensive hobby, or the need for the ultimate convenience, or status hit. As a pilot myself, the extraordinary waste and deceptive use of funds by corporate aircraft owners makes me sick. Take $6 Million and build or rehab a school. Stop this discusting selfishness.

Posted by Clean Air April 8, 09 06:03 PM

Kaufman is just a loser Moonbat. How many of his voters benifit from Hanscom. He is the type of POL on Beacon Hill that needs to voted out. Business's pay taxes that are needed by the state. Lets triple tax all residents of Lexington they can make up for loss tax revenue. This guy is loser. Vote him out NOV 09.

Posted by rental April 8, 09 06:33 PM

Arent you "Lefties" trying to rid the world of Corporate Jets....

Posted by damNation April 8, 09 06:50 PM

Mr. Ryan,
As you and your colleagues continue this one-sided spin on the issues, it makes me less sad that your beloved newspaper may be closing its doors. When you're hunting for a new job, make sure you smile big when you tell them that you are a proponent for fair and balanced reporting...

Posted by D.B. Cooper April 8, 09 07:05 PM

Irresponsible anti-corporate reporting. The Globe is wondering why readership is down? Your headline, Essdras Suarez, is misleading and entices ignorant people to think that their tax dollars are going to SOLELY benefit a company who utilizes the airport with their private jeft. Check your facts. Here are the FAA stats:

Aircraft based on the field: 365
Single engine airplanes: 251
Multi engine airplanes: 35
Jet airplanes: 67
Helicopters: 12

Aircraft operations: avg 480/day
46% transient general aviation
37% local general aviation
14% air taxi
2% commercial
1% military

Jets only account for 1/6th of aircraft based on the field. The other 5/6th, including 480 aircraft operations per day make up miiltary, flight training, general aviation, and some commercial carriers such as fedex/ups, etc.

Shameful reporting. Beth, poster #1 is right - this is exactly what the stimulus wants to do anyway. The pavers pave, earn extra money, utilize other businesses in the area for them and their families. Airport is nicer, makes it better for its customers.

Posted by george April 8, 09 07:15 PM

Sorry I meant Andrew Ryan not Mr. Suarez who took the photo, my apologies. Scrolled up too far!

Posted by george April 8, 09 07:17 PM

Hmm.. the article says they're paving taxiways, not airstrips. If you keep your speed down to about 10 mph on the taxiway you shouldn't blow any tires. Now runways, on the other hand...
Yeah, more than just 'corporate guys' use the airfield. Who knows? Maybe we can steal some business from Manchester (NH) Airport (!)

"Paving the airstrip is pretty basic to having an airfield ..."

Posted by M April 9, 09 01:14 AM

Welfare for millionaires. Hanscom Field is not Air Force property and if there is any military activity on the Airport, it is minimial. I got an airport next to me in Nashua NH and Senator Judd Gregg is always getting them free taxpayer money such as $250K to repair their fence, money to extend the runway sdo bigger louder planes can land and take off. If Hanscom airport needs paving, the flight fees should be raised, rather than have the money raised from people who don't use the airport.

Posted by jackieaxe April 9, 09 08:20 AM

Taxiway repairs should be paid for by the FAA's AIP funds, not stimulus money. That's what the AIP program is for, and it has the added benefit of silencing those who know nothing about aviation but squawk about "welfare for millionaires" incessantly...

Posted by Turbineguy April 10, 09 10:12 AM

Taxiway repairs should be paid for by FAA AIP funds, not stimulus money.

Posted by BlueMeanie April 10, 09 11:14 AM