Photos and Information provided by
Chris Whelan
August 20, 2018 11:00 a.m
Construction on the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport is coming to an end. According to Chris Whelan, the terminal “looks pretty much completed on the outside with the workers putting the finishing touches on the skylight-canopy glass.”
Whelan said the observation deck offers a great view of the runways, and welcome relief of shade and a nice breeze on a hot sunny day. “Another nice touch is the Pratt & Whitney logo on the engine cowling.”
A public dedication of the new terminal building will be held on October 13, 2018.
Editor’s Note: Chris Whelan joined the United States Navy straight out of college in 1975 and served for 22 years as a Navy Aerographer’s Mate – the Navy’s meteorologists and oceanographers. Chris earned the American Meteorological Society (AMS) Broadcast Seal of Approval in 1994 and was an on-air meteorologist for the local television station WTLV starting in 1986 until he retired in 2004. Chris came to our island in 1991 and spends his time photographing the sights of our wonderful island, collecting and restoring vintage cameras, and being involved with local environmental issues, and enjoying his family. We thank Chris for his contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Looks like a Double Wide, with add ons ! $4.5 Million ??
Let’s give it a rest and focus on more important things, hm? Great photos, Chris. Thanks.
Thank you, Judith!
Agreed! With just about anything in government, half are going to like it, the other half won’t. And that’s true for this building design too. Embrace the stuff you like, ignore the stuff you don’t.
Would be cool to install a radio up on the observation deck that would monitor Unicom as well as Jacksonville approach control.
Great idea
I love the new building and it’s add to our uniqueness in Fernandina Beach. My worry is, what happens to it if another hurricane hits us? Will it take wings (which it already has) and fly across our beautiful island?
It was built under Florida Building Codes as a “critical structure” which means its design is meant to withstand category 4 storms. Who knows how it holds up as a direct hit by a 4 is so rare, even Dora had dropped to a very high 3 when she finally hit. And the reality is, if this island gets a direct 4 hit, there’s gonna be a lot bigger problems than if that roof loses parts of its wings.
It’s beautiful, would be great if a small restaurant was there where we could watch planes coming in or just enjoy the scenery……
We have been observing the progress of our most unique Terminal. Can hardly
wait for my friend, Kevin Allen, to fly in and see change since he flew in last!
Thanks to all who designed it and built it. It definitely enhances the .area!