FAA grants aid 3 N.M. airports

WASHINGTON (KRQE) - The Questa Municipal Airport, Moriarty Airport, and the Albuquerque International Sunport will benefit from about $900,000 in Federal Aviation Administration grants.

On Wednesday Sen. Jeff Bingaman announced Questa Municipal Airport will receive a $431,954 grant to install an automatic weather observing system, new precision approach pathway indicators, and runway end identifier lights, all of which will promote safety for pilots and ground control.

Moriarty Airport has been awarded a $389,356 grant that will be used to construct an additional taxiway that will allow for greater efficiency in landing and take-off operations at the airport, which will provide easier access for aircrafts to refuel. The new taxiway will also include a staging area for sail planes or gliders.

The Albuquerque International Sunport will receive an $85,000 grant to fund a Wildlife Hazard Assessment of the airport. The assessment will gather data of the wildlife that occupy the airport property.

The data will help to identify the different species and will provide insight on their daily/seasonal activities, populations, and their local movements.