LIMESTONE – Telford Aviation has started the overhaul of two turboprop airplanes at its facilities on the Loring Commerce Centre, and officials hope it is the start of aviation work that will expand and offer more jobs.

Described as “heavy maintenance overhaul procedures,” the work on the two aircraft started last month, according to Carl Flora, president and CEO of the Loring Development Authority, at the LDA’s monthly meeting on Wednesday morning.

Major aircraft overhauls have been a component of the LDA’s vision for Loring. The facility has large hangars and an aviation complex not available elsewhere in the northeast.

“It’s just great to see that we are making progress on the aviation front,” Flora said at his first LDA trustees meeting in his new capacity. “Telford’s plans for evolution of its business at Loring have provided a path to that aircraft overhaul center.”

Prior to the new endeavor, Telford was in a joint venture with Volvo in a parts warehousing and distribution center.

Flora, the former vice president and counsel of the LDA, became president after Brian Hamel left the position last month to be the Republican candidate for the 2nd District. Hamel will face off in November against U.S. Rep. Michael Michaud.

In other business, Flora said work continues on an attempt to swap land with the Bureau of Indian Affairs – or at least develop a land use agreement. The LDA does not have ownership of acreage at the top of its airstrip.

The critical issue is to see that activities on the BIA land do not conflict with aviation at the airstrip. Incompatible uses could restrict flight paths in the area.

The LDA is continuing its effort to gain ownership of segments of a pipeline that were used to bring aviation fuel to the former air base. The pipeline is needed by the LDA to continue work on a proposal that could bring an electrical co-generation plant to the LCC.

The line could be used to transport natural gas for the development of the steam plant where 55 megawatts of electricity could be developed. The plant could develop up to 70 megawatts during some parts of the year. The Loring Bioenergy Project is headed by Hayes Gahagan.

Last week, LD 1880 was signed by Gov. John Baldacci, and that allows for the issuance of bonds that could be used to finance large industrial projects such as the bioenergy plan.

Flora reported that the U.S. Air Force is looking to develop a new drinking water supply on the LCC. The water supply now comes from a plant located along the Little Madawaska River. The new plan could see the sinking of a large well that could produce more than 1 million gallons of water a day.

The Air Force has a long-term obligation to supply potable water on the former federal facility because of contaminated groundwater at several locations on the base.