The Big Bear Airport is getting a new generator, which is being installed by the Matich Corporation starting today and should be up and running by next week. The new generator is 155K, says General Manager Dick Lightner, and will replace the airport’s original generator, which was installed in the ’80s. The new stand-by generator will be of benefit to the Big Bear community, particularly in emergencies, as it will power the runway field lights to full intensity, the fueling station, the airport gate and the C wing of the airport, which includes airport operations and the studios of KBHR radio. Says the airport’s Maintenance Supervisor Tom Hoover, “We can operate no matter what.” The cost of the new generator was in large part covered by a grant awarded by the Federal Aviation Administration; the FAA is paying 95% of the cost and 2½% will be covered by the state’s Division of Aeronautics, leaving just 2½% to be paid for by the Big Bear Airport.
