Carroll County Airport Beacon.

For motorists who routinely travel Highway 22 between Huntingdon and McKenzie, the opportunity to view planes landing or departing from the Carroll County Airport is often a welcome diversion from the otherwise tedious doldrums of commuter travel. To briefly imagine flying high above, viewing the area from the pilot's seat, would be most appealing for many earthbound travelers.

Celebrating its twentieth anniversary this April first, the airport has become a familiar fixture to the landscape of our county.

Since its construction, the airport has provided tremendous ease of accessibility for industrial planners, politicians, and renowned entertainers to visit our county. One hopes that the trend continues.

A quick mental rewind to early 1986 may remind many of the struggles that transpired prior to the creation of the flight facility. History records that had it not been for determined and persistent efforts of dedicated visionaries two decades ago, the only thing that might be flying in the air space above the county airport today would be an occasional flock of birds.

Despite initial opposition, strife, and failure, progressive minded businessmen, politicians, and civic-minded individuals banded together to breathe life into a once seemingly impossible dream. As historical documentation verifies, willing the airport into being wasn't easy. For those who toiled for the airport’s creation and are now blessed to see the contributions it has provided, it must certainly be gratifying.

Today, the positive attributes of the airport are clearly evident. Hindsight, they say, is twenty-twenty.

As its 20th anniversary approaches, Carroll County Mayor Kenny McBride elaborated on the positive attributes of the county airport.

“The airports impact on Carroll County is undeniable,” he said. “It continues to provide a strong selling point to prospective industries that are considering our county as a place to locate. Had we not been able to have built it twenty years ago, many of the businesses that call our county home today undoubtedly would not be here now."

One factor, noted McBride, was the variety of services available to travelers who land there.

"There's a full-time mechanic on duty that can provide service to corporate jets on site. Companies can fly in quickly to pick up or leave employees or equipment without having to plan for or provide additional ground travel from out of county airports to their plants located here."

He noted the airport has been consistently rated as one of the best in its size category in the state.

Top, a cut-out of the photo just below shows Dale Kelley cutting the ribbon in dedication of the airport.

“We are blessed to have such a fine facility--it really is a huge asset to our county, and will continue to be directly responsible for industrial growth in our area," he said.

Carroll County Chamber of Commerce President Brad Hurley was also enthusiastic about the virtues provided by the airport.

He said, “I commend the county leaders and commissioners for standing up in 1986 and fighting through controversy to see the airport initiative to fruition.”

Hurley stated that the facility had evolved greatly in the last twenty years.

“When it first opened, the airport was basically a five thousand foot runway and two buildings. To look at it today, one can see how it has grown,” he said. There is no doubt that the airport’s existence played a major role in the development and construction of the spec building and other industry based companies currently operating in county.”

Hurley, in seeking to explain the facility’s import, focused on what it would be like had the airport never been built.

“What a negative it would be if it wasn’t there. Potential industrial prospects would have to fly into a neighboring county airport just to visit us,” he said. Without question, the construction of the Carroll County Airport and Highway 22’s expansion to four lanes added tremendous infrastructure tools that have greatly aided in our counties ability to compete for and attract industry. “

Hurley stated that the airport will continue to constitute a vital implement in the shaping and direction of the county’s present and future economic growth.

Rough Take-Off

Following previous aborted efforts, Carroll County commissioners voted in October, 1985, to construct the $1,000,000 airport. The vote hinged on the provision that the town of McKenzie purchase the land for the site. It was noted that the site should be located near the mid-point between Huntingdon and McKenzie for the purpose of providing both towns with ease of travel to the site.

In January, 1986, Huntingdon’s Airport Committee, along with county officials, met with the chief engineer of the Tennessee Aeronautics Division and was granted permission to proceed with construction.

During Huntingdon’s February 25 regular board meeting, then Mayor Jesse Pinckley announced that three prime construction contracts would be awarded in connection with the airport build.

Pinckley informed the board that the first departing flight from the Carroll County Airport was scheduled for November 15 of that year. He added, “Plans for construction are on schedule or just ahead of schedule.”

According to an article published in the McKenzie Banner on March fifth, 1986, McKenzie’s Industrial Developmental Corporation had met with the town’s city council on February 26 and unanimously approved plans to purchase 397 acres of land at a cost of $362,461 for the development of the Carroll County Airport. It was noted that each acre would be purchased at a cost of $913.

Reportedly, after 40 minutes of deliberation, city council members voted to assign the proceeds of lease payments from Universal Plating to purchase in entirety the needed tracts of land. Of the 397 acres proposed for purchase, 180 would be assigned to the airport project. The committee agreed to slate the remaining acreage for future industrial application. The board was informed that the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Aeronautics Division would reimburse 75 percent of the cost for the 180 acres utilized for the airport, reducing the total “out of pocket” cost by $123,000.

According to another Banner article published three weeks later, the IDC met in a three hour session on Tuesday, March 17 to discuss options available for purchase of real estate for the development of the airport.

Board members voted to accept a proposal by McKenzie Banking Company to borrow $380,000. The borrowed amount would provide $334,000 for acquisition and approximately $46,000 to finance the interest costs for an 18 month period. The note would be collateralized by the value of the land, plus $250,000 of Kemper stock owned by IDC. Interest was reportedly to be charged at ten and one half percent (adjustable every six months) over a 15 year period.

IDC was also informed that the cost to provide installation of water, sewer and construction of a water storage tank was estimated at $600,000.

In June of that year, Carroll County commissioners approved $80,000 to fund the installation of an 80-by-100 foot hanger with attached office. Approval was also granted for the purchase of a $160,000 navigational beacon, utilized to assist pilots in identifying the airport from the air. It was noted that the state Department of Transportation had agreed to pay $115,000 of the cost of the items.

Then County Executive Wesley Beal Jr. informed commissioners that a meeting would be held in July between the state Aeronautics Board and the county Aeronautics Committee. Beal noted that state engineers would design the proposed buildings to be erected at the airport, with construction of the structures scheduled for completion in November.

Beal also announced during the meeting that $300,000 needed for the construction of the hangar, office, and beacon would be derived from acquisition of capital outlay notes over a period of three to four years.

Once engaged, construction of the airport, hangars, sewer and water systems progressed in a productive manner throughout the spring, summer and fall with all facets of the project experiencing little if any delay.

Unannounced Arrival

On October 24, the yet to be completed airport was unexpectedly utilized by a 17- year-old former McKenzie resident named Kellett Hurley. Then residing in Franklin, Kentucky, the young man reportedly stole a 183 Cessna E.G. Turbo from a San Antonio, Texas airport earlier that morning and flew several hours before landing at the unopened airport at approximately 3:30 p.m.

Later that evening, Kellett was located and arrested by McKenzie Police.

Area pilots were astounded by Kelley’s flying ability, amazed that he was able to safely land the plane in a heavy rain with only limited instrument aid.

Grand Opening

On December 24, years of hard work were culminated with the official opening of the 1.2 million dollar Carroll County Airport.

Arriving in a state owned jet, Tennessee Transportation Commissioner Dale Kelley and entourage were greeted by a crowd of over 200 county officials and citizens.

Master of ceremonies for the event was then County Executive Wesley Beal Jr.

During his speech, Kelley noted, “The airstrip today is a signal, not only to Tennessee but every possible industry that is considering expansion anywhere in Tennessee, that Carroll County is ready for that.”

At the conclusion of his speech, Kelley presented Beal with the license to the airport.

Then and Now

Since opening to the public on April 1, 1987, the airport has received numerous upgrades.

Additions to the facility have included the construction of two private aviation hangars built in 1988 and 1989.

A non-directional beacon radio station, used for aircraft navigation, was installed in 1989.

In 1992, the automatic weather observation system (AWOS) was installed, allowing pilots the opportunity to receive up-to-date forecast information.

A four unit aviation hangar was added in 1993.

The airstrip was widened and lengthened to 5,500 feet in 1995, allowing more landing area for arriving planes.

Another change to the facility was enacted due to the terrorist attacks perpetrated against the United States on September 11, 2001. With a grant from Homeland Security, a total of eight security cameras, electronic gates, and a continuous video surveillance system were installed in 2003.

Managers of the airport since opening day, Tom and Jan Swor are responsible for the daily operations of the facility.

Besides logistics, the Swors also oversee fueling and storage of the 19 planes that are currently housed there.

A designated pilot examiner, Tom teaches students the skills needed to attain flight certification.

He explained, “We have a lot of students who train here for certification. The minimum flight hours required are 40, but many of them take 50-60 hours with us.” He added, “One of the perks of my doing this is being able to meet people and getting to know them.”

The cut-off shirttails of students soloing at the Carroll County Airport.

Tom said that the airport has had its share of high flying dignitaries and entertainers.

“Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart, used to fly in here a lot. Former Tennessee governors Don Sunquist and Ned Ray McWheter have also been here. Ned Ray came by unannounced while we were cooking fish. He stayed and ate with us.” Other notable visitors to the airport were current governor Phil Bredeson, along with entertainers Hank Williams Jr., Mike Snider, and Dixie Carter.

Jan explained that Steve Downes, a self employed mechanic, was available to work on planes at the airport.

She said that one of the future improvements needed was a complete resurfacing of the runway.

Tom added, “Runways must be resurfaced every 18-20 years, and we are definitely due. The replacement index rate is 65, and our runway is currently rated at 72.”

The $80-100,000 resurfacing would likely be paid for grants or county tax dollars.

“Another upgrade will be the installation of global positioning satellite technology,” stated Tom, adding, “GPS allows pilots to perform more precise approaches than currently utilized ILS technology. It costs less to maintain and is incredibly accurate.”

Gauging from the success already achieved, the Carroll County airport may well serve the ever expanding needs of skyward travelers for decades to come.