In the News

New navigation-aid site options revealed

The Federal Aviation Administration has identified two potential sites to relocate a ground-based navigation aid for aircraft that is blocking the development of Port Authority of Little Rock property.

Bryan Day, the port authority's executive director, said the properties meet FAA guidelines to relocate the VHF Omni Direction Radio Range station, often called a VOR. The properties are at least 100 acres, are within 8 miles of the current VOR site and are relatively flat and without obstructions, he said.

Once the properties undergo environmental reviews and preliminary agreements are reached with the landowners, the FAA will test their suitability using portable navigation equipment, Day said.

Moving the VOR would open up about 600 acres of port authority property for development. Buildings associated with heavy manufacturing can't be built within 5,000 feet of the station without risk of interfering with the VOR's signal.

Day made his comments at a briefing held Wednesday. Other participants included U.S. Rep. French Hill, R-Ark.; Jay Chesshir, president and chief executive officer of the Little Rock Regional Chamber of Commerce; and Stacy Hurst, chairman of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission.

-- Noel Oman