I would like to take this opportunity to comment on the recent article about the Halifax Aggregates Public Information Session.
The company spoke about creating twenty good-paying jobs with salaries anywhere between $20.00 and $40.00 an hour, which is good for this area.
The article also talked about the proximity of this rock quarry being close to our airport and that it is common for a quarry like this to be close to airports.
I am a huge believer in encouraging industry and business to build and operate in our area. It generates tax revenue and boosts local businesses such as schools; grocery stores; shopping centers; restaurants, and service stations — just to name a few.
I am sure this is a fine company that would like to build and operate in our area, but I am concerned about the proposed location, right next to our local airport.
Most people in our area do not know where our airport is located or what economic impact it has on our area.
Our airport is just one of the 72 general aviation airports in North Carolina. Only 12 of these airports have control towers, and 14 of the 72 airports have quarries like this one near their airports. All of them have control towers except two.
These quarries are not as close to their airports as proposed to ours. The site they proposed is next to the airport property.
The Federal Aviation Administration considers mining such as this as a wildlife attractant. The FAA recommends keeping wildlife attractants at least 5,000 feet from airports serving piston aircraft and at least 10,000 feet for turbine aircraft, and at least 5 miles from the approach and departure end of the runways.
All non-towered airports have what is known as standard traffic patterns for planes approaching, landing and departing an airport. The traffic pattern for our airport, like so many others, is to fly parallel to and on the right side of the runway approximately one-half mile from the centerline. The aircraft speed should be approximately 90 knots and should be 1,000 feet above ground. This puts the planes directly over the quarry.
One of the major wildlife hazards to planes is birds and birds are attracted to quarries like this.
The FAA released a report on wildlife strikes from 1990 to 2024.
During the 35-year period more than 320,000 strikes took place in the United States. Over 360 planes have been destroyed, and more than 643 people have died.
Wildlife strikes are typically birds, but can include bats, deer and various other land animals. Land animals are more likely to be hit at night during take-off and landing, while birds are struck more often during the daytime.
The FAA has mandated that all airports have a wildlife management program in place to decrease the wildlife activity on and around the airport.
Each year the North Carolina Division of Aviation publishes a report of the economic impact aviation has on the state.
In 2025 the report shows the state had an eighty-eight-billion-dollar economic impact and received $4.8 billion dollars in tax revenue. All airports are listed in this report and what impact they have on the community they serve.
Our airport, the Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport, has only three employees, and a budget of approximately $350,000 a year.
The airport has a significant impact on our economy. According to the 2025 report our airport is responsible for creating 140 jobs; $10,570,000 in personal income, $9,153,000.00 in state and local taxes, and $42,170,000 in economic output.
Our airport is an economic magnet for industry and business.
By allowing a rock quarry next to our airport, would it create a hazard to aviation? Would it cause industries and businesses to have second thoughts about using our airport?
The most dangerous part of flying is taking off and landing. The plane is slow and low to the ground, and the pilot has little time to react to a hazardous situation.
What happens with a quarry once all its resources are exhausted? They are gone forever.
A quarry cannot replenish the stone and gravel. A forest can be replanted; a building can be used over and over or torn down and replaced. The land is useless for anything else. No other business can be built on the property.
The company said it could be a lake or a wildlife refuge area. This is the very reason the airport is against having the quarry next to it. This would create more danger to aviation than just the quarry itself.
I have been a pilot and have been flying for forty years. I've encountered wildlife near airports, including deer on runways at night and dogs or birds during takeoff. I've also had to avoid birds while flying close to airports. These incidents aren't daily, but they occur more often than expected.
With nineteen years in airport management, I understand the airport's effects on the community and economy.
Our airport has significantly contributed to our community's economy and will maintain this positive impact provided it remains a safe environment for operation.
Ralph Johnson
Chairman
Halifax-Northampton Regional Airport Authority