Engineering Airport

Matt Grow, Airport Director

Ocala International Airport
1200 SW 60th Avenue
Ocala, Florida 34474

Phone(s): (352) 629-8377
Fax: (352) 861-2227
E-Mail Address: Airport@ocalafl.org

After being relocated to a suitable location, the Ocala International Airport began in 1968 with one runway served by Eastern and then Allegheny Commuter Airlines. Scheduled air service was discontinued in the early 1980's, however the original facilities were expanded over the years to include a 3,000' crosswind runway, an extended main runway out to 6,900', an all weather instrument landing approach, and FAA Part 139 certification.  Due to several factors including current runway length and strength, economic issues related to the operations of competing airports such as Gainesville, Orlando and Tampa Airport's, the likelihood of scheduled air carrier service returning to Ocala is unlikely.

The City intends to concentrate on operating the airport as a general aviation facility, improving the current infrastructures to levels designed to accommodate air cargo and other large non-scheduled aviation activities.

OCALA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT / JIM TAYLOR FIELD
POLICY STATEMENT

The City of Ocala will promote the Ocala International Airport as a premier general aviation airport serving commercial, industrial and corporate needs of the City of Ocala and Marion County.  The City intends to concentrate on operating the airport as a general aviation facility, expanding current infrastructures to accommodate large aviation activities, while maintaining high levels of service to its tiedown and t-hangar clientele.  The Ocala International Airport will be operated with fiscal responsibility and responsiveness to the needs of its users and tenants.  The vacant Airport land shall be marketed to its highest and best use to ensure the financial viability of the City-owned facility. The City encourages the cooperation of private and public sector investment for the development of corporate hangars and other compatible uses at the Ocala International Airport.

The City will continue to cooperate with Marion County, airport neighbors and community residents to ensure the airport and its surrounding environment are compatible.

The City recognizes the Ocala Airport Advisory Board as an advisory community group and will utilize this voice to assist in providing input for the development and implementation of airport progress, and to provide a means of positive communication with airport users.

Airport Advisory Board Schedule:
The Airport Advisory Board meeting are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 3:00 p.m.
(with the exceptions of November/December meetings).

The runway, safety area and taxiway improvements are in the final stages of completion. Following FAA flight check, the ILS will re-enter service after nearly a year shutdown.  After completion, the airport will have a standard safety area north of runway 18 threshold, taxiways that can more safely accommodate a B-727 and DC-8 jets at both runway ends, and interim runway markings until Runway 18-36 is resurfaced (FY 2008).

The pavement extension south of the Runway 36 threshold has a displaced threshold based on safety area requirements.  For those pilots, particularly multi-engine ones, the displaced threshold provides the same Accelerated Stop Distance Available (ASDA) that Runways 18 and 36 would have had, if the localizer and crosswind R-8/26 were not present.

Part 150 Noise Study Update was conducted with the Airport Advisory Board oversight with input from the Airport Director and City staff.  The study has been submitted to the FAA for their review, after revising the Study to accommodate recommendations from the Airport Advisory Board.  The FAA will review the documents for compliance with FAR Part 150 Regulations.  Once certified as compliant, the FAA will issue a Federal Register notice requesting comments from the public, and initiate a statutory 180-day review period.  After which the FAA will issue its comments on the Part 150 update through a “Record of Approvalâ€.   Finally, The Noise Compatible Program measures will be eligible for federal and state grant assistance, if approved, in the Record of Approval.