For the first time in more than 30 years, the Illinois Valley Airport (3S4) in Cave Junction, Oregon, has a stable supply of 100LL aviation fuel for piston-engine aircraft.
Bill and Louise Gettle, owners of The Flying Machine, an FBO located on the field, are managing the retail sales of the newly-established fuel service. The fuel is being dispensed from a certified aviation fuel truck recently obtained by Josephine County.
The sponsor of the Illinois Valley Airport, Josephine County also owns and operates the Grants Pass Airport, which has had aviation fuel availability for decades.
“It was really gratifying to see the happy and relieved expressions on the IV pilots’ faces when they learned they could fuel their planes right here at the field,” said Larry Graves, the manager for Josephine County’s two airports. “It has been such a long time since fuel has been available here that barely anyone on the field can remember it.”
Graves mentioned that pilots based at Illinois Valley as well as those who are passing overhead now have the option of purchasing some of the lowest-cost aviation fuel in the state of Oregon. Josephine County has negotiated very favorable wholesale fuel rates with their supplier, and the Gettles have decided to keep their markup lower than the industry standard in order to attract more business, he noted.
“It has always been a source of frustration for the pilots based at IV Airport that they had to first fly over to Grants Pass or Brookings airports in order to get fuel before continuing on to their destinations,” Graves said. “That is no longer the case, and in fact this may increase safety a little bit, since pilots will be able to depart with full tanks.”
Graves expressed gratitude to the Gettles for their willingness to step up and manage the fuel concession for the county at 3S4. “They are a real asset to the local aviation community and to the county overall for their dedication to the airport. They didn’t have to take on this responsibility, but they did so eagerly and without hesitation,” Graves said.
For more information: 541-592-2001 (FBO) or Co.Josephine.or.us
