Noon dedication ceremony
In planning for Marion-Crittenden County Airport’s formal dedication and open house this weekend, local aircraft enthusiasts put a little more lift under their wings.
In addition to the customary glad-handing and speaking, there will be free flights for children, aircraft on display, a classic car show and plenty of food.
U.S. Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Hopkinsville), who local leaders largely credit with securing funding for the community’s effort to improve the airport, will be the featured speaker along with administrators from the Kentucky Department of Aviation. They and others will be at the microphone for a short dedication ritual starting at noon. The event is partly to christen a $5 million airport renovation that started more than five years ago, but Jim Johnson, chairman of the local airport board, says it’s much more than that – it’s a celebration of aviation and an opportunity for youngsters to get off the ground.
The event is sponsored by the Marion-Crittenden County Airport Board and the Experimental Aircraft Association, which is promoting its Young Eagles Flight Rally. The rally is aimed at generating aviation interest in young people. Since the program was launched in 1992, volunteer EAA pilots have taken more than 1.4 million youngsters on flights.
“Fifteen years ago there were about 850,000 pilots licensed in the United States. Now, there are about 500,000,” said Johnson, who is himself a pilot, and has a daughter who flies passenger aircraft.
About 20 planes will be available for public flights. Trips above Marion will be free for children age 8-17. As part of the Young Eagles program, the kids will also learn about aviation, have a photo opportunity with their plane and pilot and earn a certificate following their flight. Parents will need to be present to approve their child’s flight.
There will be separate flights for adults. The fee will be about $20 and they will be departing continuously all day long.
The airport was once a 2,700-foot grass landing strip. Now, it’s perhaps the most modern airport of any small town in Kentucky, Johnson said. The paved runway is 4,400 feet long with all-weather instrument approaches. The facility includes hangars, a terminal building, pilot lounge and a fueling station that includes avgas and jet fuel.
Johnson said plans are already underway for another phase of airport improvements, including extending the runway to 5,000 feet to accommodate larger corporate jets.
“The airport is already benefiting the local economy,” Johnson said.
He explained that numerous flights come into and depart from the airport each week, including corporate officials visiting the region on business and medical emergency flights scheduled by several area hospitals.
