Airport Gets New Lights, Beacon

When flying into Kimball, pilots will be navigated by new LED lighting along with some new systems put in place.

A lighting project was completed at the Kimball Municipal Airport in December. All improvements were funded through a federal Federal Aviation Administration grant, a state FAA grant and the city's Kimball Municipal Airport.

Kimball Airport Authority chairman Ryan McElroy said the project consisted of some upgraded taxiway lights and all new runway lights.

"We also added REIL lights (runway end identifier lights)," he said. "We also were able to put up a new LED beacon. Everything is now LED lighting at the airport."

With the new beacon in place, a possible plan for the previous beacon is for it to make its way to the Point of Rocks at Potter and be set up as part of what already is a historical monument at the old airmail arrows.

Still standing at the Point of Rocks is the foundation of a building that once stood, as well as the towers and concrete arrows that guided mail pilots prior to World War II.

According to Ed Nelson of the airport authority, there are only a few of those left throughout the county – and the thought of preserving that piece of history could be on the Potter Historical Society's to-do list in the future.

"Communities around the country are saving and restoring what is left of the airmail arrows," said Hal Enevoldsen, who is heading up this possible historical project.

Stay tuned for more information as the project develops.