Airport traffic falls

As fuel prices soar, more airplane owners are staying grounded.

The Jackson County Airport has seen its traffic drop by about 22 percent in the past few years, sliding from 61,591 flights in 2003 to 48,198 in 2007.

Airport officials say the rise in fuel costs is the likely reason for the drop in traffic, which started to level out three years ago.

"I don't use the airplane just to go up and ride around anymore," said Steve Wellman, who cut back flying his Cessna 177 Cardinal by more than 20 hours last year because of fuel costs. "It really is a factor."

In June, the Michigan price of fuel for planes has ranged between $4.45 and $7.40, with Jet A fuel typically costing a few cents more per gallon. In May, Jackson County Airport charged pilots $5.49 for 100LL fuel and $5.58 for Jet A fuel.

Fuel prices have had the biggest impact on recreational fliers, said airport Manager Kent Maurer, who has noticed fewer pilots stopping at the airport during day trips.

"That discretionary type of flying is impacted most by fuel prices," Maurer said.

Though airport traffic has been trending downward, traffic appears to be up slightly compared to this time last year, Maurer said. The increase could be due to greater interest in Jackson Community College's Flight Center or more corporate jets stopping at the airport, he added.

Many are feeling the pinch in the cost to fill up their tanks, but Cheryl Blank, a secretary at JCC's flight school, said it hasn't stopped people from handing over the cash to learn to fly.

The school charges $139 per hour for duo flights and $110 per hour for solo flights — a cost that hasn't changed much as fuel prices increase.

She said the school buys a load of fuel through a Saline-based broker who splits it with other groups to keep the cost down. The reduced cost in fuel also helps the school, which averages about 200 flights per month, keep the cost of classes down, she said.