There's a Delta 757 sitting on the ramp here in St. George right now. Been here all day. Don't worry.
You coulda told us your scrap booking buddies were in town:
http://www.thespectrum.com/article/...St-George-Airport-welcomes-757?nclick_check=1
ST. GEORGE ? The St. George Municipal Airport welcomed its first Boeing 757 airliner Wednesday morning with the arrival of a chartered plane carrying 178 sales men and women from Stampin? Up scrapbook company.
Chartered by Morris Murdock Travel, the company flew in staff from several countries throughout Europe, including Germany and France, to visit its Stampin? Up location in Kanab, said Gary Sorensen, Morris Murdock Travel regional manager.
The plane was scheduled to depart from the airport Wednesday evening.
Rich Stehmeier, airport manager, said while the airport has had several military aircraft, such as a C-17, that are as big or even slightly bigger than the 757, this is the largest commercial plane the airport has seen.
Stehmeier said the airport is equipped to handle a 757 or 767 only about twice a month, or 30 times a year, because the asphalt is not thick enough to accommodate aircraft of that size on a regular basis.
However, if the need arose for larger planes to come in more regularly, the Federal Aviation Administration would help the airport pay for up to 90 percent of the cost to add four inches of asphalt to the thickness of the runway, he said.
Having the 757 come to the airport is an exciting occasion, Stehmeier said.
?It?s a great thing for us,? he said.
Follow Samantha Sadlier on Twitter, @SpectrumSadlier
