Fuel sales at South Alabama Regional Airport are so good that they are close to breaking a monthly record and some employees will receive a bonus.

SARA co-director Jed Blackwell said that fuel sales for the month of February are at 71,300 gallons as of Tuesday.

“We have had 14 V-22s come into our airport this month,” he said.

Blackwell said that 72,006 gallons of fuel sold is the highest February the airport has ever had.

“I believe this is a direct impact from the quality of service we provide as an airport,” he said. “From our refuelers to our cooks and assistants to the FBO operators and the fire department. Everyone has played a role in increasing our fuel sales.”

Blackwell said they are anticipating a good summer.

He asked the board to consider a $50 bonus to be given at 70,000 gallons the first pay period in March and a $75 bonus if they reach 80,000 gallons.

On average, they supply between 800,000 and 900,000 gallons of fuel annually to students at Fort Rucker.

In January, Blackwell said he expected airport fuel sales to increase as the U.S. Army changes out its helicopter fleet.

Blackwell said that the Army has been using OH58A helicopters and is changing to a UH-72 Lakota.

Blackwell said the OH58A has a fuel capacity of 111 gallons of gas and typically refuels 40-50 gallons per time.

“We have about 20 to 30 per day that refuel here,” Blackwell said.

The UH-72 has a fuel capacity of 229 gallons and typically refuels 90-140 gallons per stop, Blackwell said.

Blackwell said the Army has a fleet of 10 and is adding 30 per year through 2019 to have 180 helicopters.