OBSERVER?File Photo The Chautauqua County Legislature recently approved the creation of two new Starflight positions required for a commercial designation.

MAYVILLE — Starflight is on track to one day pay for itself. In a 23 to 2 vote last week, the Chautauqua County Legislature set salaries for two new positions — an aviation operations director and an aviation maintenance director. The creation of the positions could allow for Starflight to one day become self-funded, eliminating the more than $300,000 annual cost of the program from the county budget. The resolution was opposed only by legislators James Caflisch, R-French Creek, and Doug Richmond, R-Westfield. According to Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace, the Federal Aviation Administration requires the positions before granting a commercial designation. Such a designation will give Starflight the ability to charge for its services. “It’s a pilot who will carry two titles, pilot and director of flight operations,” Gerace said of the two positions. “Before we can receive certification, we have to name a director of flight operations and a director of maintenance as well.