Southwest Florida seems to be reaching a comfortable cruising altitude when it comes to general aviation. Thanks to airports like Page Field in Fort Myers, Naples Municipal Airport, Marco Island Executive Airport and Immokalee Regional Airport, regional access as well as money pumped into the local economy are fueling capital improvement projects and expanding airport usage.

These local general aviation airports seem like small fry compared to operations like Southwest Florida International Airport. But their impact upon the economy is considerable when considering the number of corporate flights, small businesses and flight schools that depend on their presence.

The term general aviation refers to anything that isn't scheduled; that means irregular flights that don't take off and leave the same time every day. These types of flights make up the bulk - close to 75 percent -- of all aircraft nationally. And while that fact may be surprising to many land lovers, those who use the skyways on a regular basis know all too well the triumphs -- and sometimes the tests -- of aiming high in business.

Turnaround at Page Field

Page Field Municipal Airport, located on U.S. 41 in Ft. Myers, started out as a military training and surplus airport until it changed hands to the Lee County Port Authority and became the gateway to Southwest Florida.

After deregulation and the boom of air travel, however, the airport couldn't find the land it needed to expand. With the arrival of Southwest Florida Regional Airport in 1983, Page Field became a reliever and general aviation airport. For some years, it operated in the red, until Port Authority officials came up with a dramatic plan to beef up the bottom line.

Today the airport holds three runways, two flight schools and one helicopter flight school in addition to some 70 to 80 hangars. It is also home to 250 aircraft. The terminal building provides access to aircraft fuel as well as food and ground transportation for deplaning passengers. The general aviation center building holds renovated office space for small start-up businesses, both aviation and non-aviation related. Lease rates are $8.50 per square foot, and hangars start at $85 per month.

"We really are a viable part of the community and offer a service by being here," explains Page Field General Aviation Manager Coleen Baker. A good example is the leasing of the old terminal building this year to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Thanks to the larger space, the unit can now have an on-site crime laboratory and state-of-the-art range where firearms can test weapons collected as evidence.

Page Field Commons

The airport also collects lease revenue from the new Page Field Commons retail shopping area, built on land that was once part of the airport's interior grounds. "That project is leased by the airport, and revenue from the commons is used for airport upkeep," Baker says.

Both the Page Field Commons Space and the available space within the airport fall within the designation of a Foreign Trade Zone, meaning that a business may import goods and avoid paying duties until the items are sold.

And just about anyone driving in and around Page Field in the last year has noticed the influx of private and corporate jets to the airport. "We have had a lot activity this year by corporate jets leased by companies and politicians, as well as some celebrities who fly in by private jet," notes Baker.

She adds that companies are finding corporate jet travel to be much more flexible and reasonable compared to scheduled commercial airlines.

The field's jet fuel sales attest to the increased activity. Sales from October through June of 1998 were $794,000 compared to this year's sales of $850,000 during the same period.

Marco's Jet Set

Jet fuel sales also have been a very good indicator of the amount of activity at Marco Island Executive Airport, tucked away amongst backwater canals just off State Road 951 on the way to Marco Island. "Air traffic is on the rise this year in Marco, especially during season," says Robert Tweedie, airport manager.

Officials forecast revenues of $756,600 this year, compared to $667,405 from last year. That's good news for the local economy. "The airport has a strong impact on the local economy because it brings in people right to the front door of Marco," Tweedie says. Those people need a place to stay, cars to rent and places to eat. "Private jets make up the bulk of our traffic in season. Many are CEOs and company owners as well as some celebrities," he adds.

The airport has one runway, a hangar for six aircraft with another under construction, and airport fueling and services for pilots and crew including catering and flight planning. It is also home to Marco Aviation, a popular Key West charter service.

Because of its proximity to the Everglades, Marco can also provide support to agencies like the Florida Forestry Division for refueling purposes. "That's one of the nice aspects to our airport, too," Tweedie says. "The relief support we can give, whether it's the forestry division or law enforcement."

Naples Municipal: Mixed Reactions

Naples Municipal Airport is by far the busiest -- and most controversial -- general aviation airport in Collier County. It is more than 50 years old, considered by many an integral part of the city's history.

During World War II, the military used Naples Municipal as a training airport. In later years, it was deeded to city and county interests. Today the city of Naples owns the airport, and the Naples Airport Authority, a volunteer body appointed by the Naples City Council, manages its affairs. The airport features two runways and is home to more than 320 aircraft, three regional carriers, two flight schools and the county's mosquito control operations.

Businesses can also rent hangars and offices at the office. An annual lease for a T-shelter is .105 per square foot per month, while an executive hangar is $4.68 per square foot per year. Offices in the commercial terminal building lease for $17 per square foot per year, while an office in the general aviation multiplex office costs $5.55 per square foot per year. Land is also available for lease for .208 to .355 per square foot for those looking to build their own facilities.

Like both Page Field and Marco Island Municipal, Naples Municipal has seen a marked increase in jet fuel sales, which climbed to more than $2.4 million as of July 31. That is compared with fuel sales of about $1.9 million during the same time last year. The increase in traffic has been no small matter -- direct economic activity from the airport has been estimated at more than $70 million annually.

But while its economic situation looks bright, Naples Municipal Airport is by no means all fun and planes. For