By KAY S. PEDROTTI
Staff Writer

Daily administrative and operations headaches have certainly increased for the Peachtree City Airport Authority since the departure of Stevens Aviation in June, authority members heard Wednesday from Falcon Field Airport Manager Jim Savage.

The Stevens Fixed-Base Operation (FBO) handled fuel sales and aircraft servicing, plus offering amenities to pilots and crews, but those operations have been assumed by the authority. Savage repeatedly told the authority that because of a higher level of service with an authority FBO, the city-appointed board can expect to make decisions about new equipment, computer ungrades and facility renovations.

Savage noted that the airport now is full-service from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and offers transportation and other services to visitors. The first month's operations were excellent, he said, and the staff is pleased with being "under new management."

He asked the authority for funding to purchase an FBO-specific software program, additional ramp lighting, equipment for pumping fresh water into aircraft and emptying lavatory tanks, and a golf cart for passengers and crews to ride to airport buildings from parked planes.

Savage explained that Stevens did not leave its equipment for servicing larger planes equipped with lavatories. However, he added, sewerage at the airport itself has been greatly improved with a new lift station pump.

The authority agreed that more ramp lighting is a first priority because of safety and security, and asked that Savage obtain several bids on each item or service requested. Authorization was given for some remodeling in the Aviation Center, including finishing additional rest rooms, repairing existing ones, and creating a storage room.

The airport manager also reported that "bureaucracy" tangles may hold up delivery of an F-16 fighter aircraft that the authority had hoped to have on static display as a military memorial. Originally set for its first appearance at the September "Wings Over Dixie" Air Show, the F-16 "may not be ready for delivery to our agent in Tucson until late August," Savage said in his report.

Plans are to raise funds through sales of memorial bricks to surround the aircraft base, and the local chapterof the Air Force Association has agreed to provide "mechanics and manpower necessary to reassemble the aircraft" once it arrives, Savage said.

Jim Friday, chairman of the "Wings Over Dixie" air show planning, made a report to the authority on progress for the event. The U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team will perform, and aircraft flying or displayed will include the B-17 and B-25, P-40 and P-51, and an F-4U Corsair.