Wayne County Airport finally gets to celebrate 2020 honor
A fly-in was held recently at the Wayne County Airport to celebrate being named the 2020 Airport of the Year by the Ohio Aviation Association. Line technician Daniel Hodge, left, line technician Matthew Smucker, manager Amanda McGee, assistant manager Matthew Long and line technician Preston Seran provide a knowledgeable and courteous experience to visitors to the county arriving via air travel.
It has been more than six months since Ohio Aviation Association executive director Stacey Heaton held a Zoom meeting to announce Wayne County as the 2020 Airport of the Year recipient. Despite the delay, the airport crew finally celebrated their achievement.
Like most other events in 2020, the coronavirus pandemic put a damper on large indoor gatherings. But warm weather and the loosening of restrictions allowed the hangar to be open for a fly-in over the weekend.
“It is so nice to be out in public and see people face to face, person to person, and drink in some of that vitamin D,” Wayne County commissioner Sue Smail said as she presented a banner to airport manager Amanda McGee.
According to Smail, the airport is a premier destination for pilots, and McGee and staff deserve all of the credit. McGee also was appointed to serve a two-year term on the Ohio Aviation Association Board of Directors.
The airport received the award, thanks in part to a $5.2 million taxiway lengthening project.
Commissioner Becky Foster previously recognized McGee and staff for their dedication and professionalism.
“This is a fabulous team,” she said after the Airport of the Year announcement was made in 2020. “They are always looking for revenue streams that we might utilize to enhance traffic to the airport, as well as holding community events to raise interest in aviation.”