By Katrina Elsken
News from Lake Okeechobee

OKEECHOBEE – A company that tests jet engines could increase revenue at Okeechobee Airport, but county commissioners worry about possible noise complaints.

At the county commission meeting on Aug. 28, commission chairman David Hazellief said he was disappointed that commissioners were not consulted before signing a lease. County Administrator Deborah Manzo said county staff followed existing county procedures.

According to the staff report, Tango Fox Services is a company that performs operational tests on newly overhauled engines. A McDonnell Douglas MD 83 is used as the test platform for these tests. About 50 engines are tested per year. Each test takes 30 minutes or less and requires 600 gallons of jet fuel purchased at Okeechobee Airport.

The tests are conducted Monday through Friday exclusively during business hours and produce a normal operating noise level comparable to that of a jet taking off.

The aircraft was brought to Okeechobee Airport under a short-term rental policy that allows the county to enter into leases for 365 days or less. Tango Fox Services entered into a lease agreement with the county for an incubator building unit on July 29, 2024. The leased space is for Unit A, Building #1, and is rented monthly at a rate of $1,714.97 per month.

Tango Fox Services will generate direct revenue for the airport/county as follows:

• County incubator building rent: $20,579.64 plus taxes annually.




• Lashing/Ramping Fee: $15,000 plus taxes annually.
• Approximate fuel sales $151,200 including taxes.

In addition, their company will generate additional indirect income through their employees and their business relationships in the county through hotels, motels, restaurants and the supply sector.

Tango Fox Services received a business license from the Okeechobee County Planning and Zoning Department and met the requirements to conduct business.

This is the first step in achieving Tango Fox Services’ business goals. The company also plans to enter into a long-term land lease and build a large hangar to provide engine overhauls and other aviation services at the Okeechobee County Airport.

Commissioner David Hazellief said he had been told an earthen embankment would be built to reduce noise pollution. “It’s wonderful when it rains, but when it’s dry, there’s a dust storm,” he said.

“I think it’s a great revenue generator for the airport,” said Justin Nelson, deputy county administrator. “We have the site. They’re willing to do a long-term lease.” He said the company would have to provide insurance, contamination and spill procedures and operating procedures before it begins testing.

“Before we go into full operation, we will make sure all of these things are in place,” he said.

“It looks to me like it would be a good thing for the airport, a good source of revenue,” said Commissioner Brad Goodbread.

Commissioner Terry Burroughs said the short-term lease has already been finalized. He said before considering a long-term lease, county officials should do more research and visit other airports that have similar testing facilities. “We need to find out if there are any problems that we don’t know about today,” Burroughs said.

“They have already signed a contract under the administrative regulation,” he said. “But we need more information about what they are doing.”

Commissioner David Hazellief said he would travel to Fort Pierce and Sebring airports to obtain this information.