Wayne County Airport celebrating 51 years
An airplane lands on the improved runway at the Wayne County Airport. The airport services thousands of flights annually and will celebrate 51 years in operation on Aug. 28.
Like most celebrations in 2020, the 50th-anniversary party for the Wayne County Airport was put on hold, but the airport is ready to celebrate turning 51 by hosting a fly-in on Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“The coronavirus really put a damper on life last year,” airport manager Amanda McGee said. “We were also selected as the Airport of the Year in 2020. A fly-in would have been a great way to celebrate both of those accomplishments.”
In aviation circles, a fly-in is a fancy way of saying, “let’s have a get-together.” Like a car show, pilots from other locations fly in and park their aircraft, and attendees can walk around and view all of the different types of airplanes.
“Fly-ins are a lot of fun,” McGee said. “Anyone interested in aviation is welcome to attend. They offer an opportunity for anyone interested in flying to speak with a pilot. There will be food provided, balloon creations for children and comments at 11:30 a.m. to help celebrate.”
The airport is one of Wayne County’s best-kept secrets. Servicing thousands of flights each year, the operation infuses millions of dollars into the local economy, thanks, in part, to the recent completion of a $5.2 million taxiway project.
“As far as county airports go, we are leading the way in pavement (area),” McGee said. “Our runway is newer, it’s wider, it’s longer and it’s also grooved. It is a lot more favorable (to pilots) than other county airports. We have more runway than most airports our size. We are centrally located, and because we are a smaller airport, visitors can get in and out quickly and conveniently, especially those that appreciate a discreet place to land.”
Another advantage the airport has is its proximity to larger cities like Akron and Cleveland. According to McGee, the airport has welcomed everyone from famous musicians to professional wrestlers.
Along with being accessible to larger cities, the airport hosts various events throughout the year like airplane rides and exhibitions.
A crowning achievement occurred during the pandemic when the Ohio Aviation Association named Wayne County the 2020 Airport of the Year.
“Our small airport is big on amenities, customer service and value,” McGee said. “Our fuel prices are competitive, and the upgrade to the runway has invited traffic that did not previously land here.”
To learn more about the Wayne County Airport, located at 6020 N. Honeytown Road in Smithville, visit www.wayneairport.org.
Dan Starcher is a public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.