Blairsville, GA – It’s been a long time coming, but the new five thousand square foot Blairsville Airport Terminal building is now a reality. Airport Manager John Hamler said a few finishing touches and delivery of some new furniture are all that’s left to do before the grand opening takes place in July.

The 157 acre Blairsville Airport (KDZJ) is operated by the City of Blairsville and is an FAA Level III facility with a 5005 foot long (1525.52 meters), 100 foot wide (30.48 meters) runway that can accommodate most general aviation aircraft, including small jets.

Along with the new terminal building, the Blairsville Airport will also be getting a 2,200 gallon Jet-A fuel truck to accommodate the increase in air traffic and to ensure the well being of aircraft by eliminating the necessity of having to tow planes to a fueling area. Hamler said that a broken wheel strut due to a towing mishap could cost the City of Blairsville up to six figures, which makes the $45,000 cost of the fuel truck well worth the money. Blairsville Airport also has 100 –low octane gasoline available. At this time, self-service is not available.

Hamler said that plans are currently in the works to widen the landing strip safety areas at both ends of the runway and to extend the length of the runway by 200’ (60.96 meters), which will make it 5205 feet long (1586.48 meters), just under one mile. Also planned is a taxi strip on the north side of the runway, which will allow planes to ‘back taxi’; that is, wait to take off at the same time other planes are landing. As it is now, planes must taxi down the runway before take-off, so airborne aircraft must fly in a holding pattern until the runway is clear. The City of Blairsville has contracted with Croy Engineering to make these improvements.

New terminal on L; Proposed taxi way between new terminal and runway.

New Blairsville GA Airport Terminal building – back side

Hamler said that pilots currently must rely solely on GPS to navigate to the Blairsville Airport, but that FLIR and ADSB II capabilities are coming soon. He said these navigation aids are more accurate and much more user friendly.

Old Blairsville Airport Terminal building.

Dassault Aviation FALCON 2000; about the largest jet KDZJ can accommodate.

Since the new terminal building is on the north side of the runway, the Blairsville Airport entrance will be directly across from the entrance to the Blairsville Walmart on Hwy 515. As it is now, the old terminal building is on the south side of the runway, so the current entrance is off of Old Blue Ridge Hwy (onto Airport Road). After the transition is made, aircraft owners will still have access to their hangers on the south side of the runway via a coded gate.