proceedings Airport Board Opposes Location of TV- Tower By DORIS CHANDLER Sun Staff Writer The Gainesville Airport and Aviation Board went on record Wednesday as opposing the proposed location of the Manon Communications Corp. Channel 51 Television tower in the proposed Orange Lake area location. Michael J Wilhem, an associate of engineering consultant W J Kessler, ex plained to the board during their meeting that in choosing the site of the tower, aeronautical considerations and special efforts were made to avoid the possibility of the tower interfering with the Gainesville Airport operations Wilhem also said the Flonda Department of Transportation has said it will agree to the tower if it is determined not to be a hazard by the Federal Aviation Agency He explained that the 1,000 foot tower would have strobe lights on it which will operate 24 hours a day. Board members objected to the location of the tower between McIntosh and Orange Lake, slightly west of Highway 441, stating that it would be on a direct air route from Ocala to Gainesville. “The tower would be a navigational hazard to general aviation," according to board member Bill Avera. In other matters, the airport board said they were unable to come up with any possible "financing methods for their 20 year airport development masterplan. Airport Manager Gene Lid- don explained to the board that the city commission had ac cepted the master plan but has not approved it yet. Liddon said the question of how to finance the first five year segment, 1973 to 1978, needs to be answered. Board Chairman Jim String- fellow said he hoped that some revenue sharing money would be available for the plan. However Liddon said any revenue sharing money received could only be used on the proposed new terminal at the airport. The new terminal would be constructed in two stages and the first stage of the first phase would cost approximately $537,000. Stringfellow said the board* did not have answers to -the problem of financing the first five years of theplan. Bill Cousins, an official with, Charter Air Service, suggested<■ charging a landing fee for, charter airplanes. The board agreed to take- another look at its landing fee program. v Cousins also suggested that,, leases might be extended at the airport to increase theiri revenue in this area. -