DESERT AIRE - The nearly million dollar modernization project under way at Desert Aire Airport includes the development of a turf landing strip for sport planes. It was completed on a recent snowy day with the hydro-seeding of the grass.

If it appears to be instant turf, that's because the hydro-seeding materials sprayed onto the ground include a coloring substance. It also has the seed, mulch and fixing. It is seeded to a depth of half an inch.

The turf landing strip was built between the main paved strip and one of the taxiways. It is for sport planes, which perform better on turf strips. Its cost was covered in the Washington State Department of Transportation grant for the main strip.

The main strip will be expanded from 30 feet in width to 60 feet. It will have a completely new foundation bed and be paved to 3.5 inches in depth.

"Many new - and old - pilots are flying light sport airplanes," Gruber said. "They may be flown during the day only and do not require an FAA medical exam and only a valid drivers license and FAA pilot certificate. They are limited to 1,320 pounds gross weight, and these type of aircraft excel on turf runways."

The new Desert Air Airport turf runway will be ready for use as soon as the grass is fully grown.