The new seaplane ramp at Leesburg International Airport in Florida has opened for operation. The US$3.3m project provides access to Lake Harris and was built in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation and Lake County. It took four years to complete from the initial concept through construction.
The ramp expands airport access to seaplanes for maintenance, repair and other services provided by airport businesses and compliments services offered at the Tavares seaplane base.
Tracey Dean, airport manager at Leesburg International Airport, said, “In addition to projects that focus on safety and operational needs, the city wants to incorporate improvements that benefit the flying public. The seaplane ramp is another amenity that should increase operations and economic growth at the airport.”
The project creates 60 jobs and enhances functionality at the airport. Wipaire, a seaplane float manufacturer, relocated its Florida service center in Leesburg upon news that the ramp was being built. Wipaire offers float maintenance and changeovers, avionics work, and other services.
