Wayne County Airport master planning begins
A sizable group attended the Wayne County Airport for an informational meeting regarding the master plan. The Cleveland office of CHA Consulting hosted the event to gather input from pilots and interested stakeholders.
Having a well-defined master plan is crucial to ensure the effective management and development of the Wayne County Airport. The master plan will outline a phased development program that meets the airport’s growth and operational needs in a safe, efficient, economical and environmentally sound manner.
Community engagement is essential, and the county has contracted with the Cleveland office of CHA Consulting to determine the airport’s path forward. The firm recently held a public forum to gather the aviation community’s and interested stakeholders’ opinions.
“Based on aviation forecasts, we will look at demand capacity to determine the needs of the airport,” said Mark Heckroth, senior project manager for CHA Consulting. “Then we will look at correcting nonstandard issues that the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) might have. Hangar development has also received a lot of interest and will be a focus of the master plan.”
The Wayne County Airport plays a pivotal role in connecting communities, driving economic growth and fostering area development. This local transportation hub, located at 6020 N. Honeytown Rd. in Smithville, provides:
—An outlet for business travel.
—Flight instruction opportunities.
—Opportunities for leisure excursions.
—A base for medical transport services.
—Flight-related programs throughout the year, like visits with Tuskegee Airmen and rides aboard a historic Ford TriMotor.
Having an airport enhances Wayne County’s reputation, encourages tourism and boosts local industry. Additionally, visitors who arrive via the county airport often contribute to local businesses’ growth and help generate community revenue.
According to Heckroth, the company has completed aerial photogrammetry and mapping of the airport and will soon begin analyzing data about the 41-hangar facility.
Airport manager Matt Long sees a growth opportunity in cargo transport for the 2020 Airport of the Year. The rise of e-commerce and the increasing demand for fast and efficient delivery have played a significant role in shaping the future of this sector.
“Numerous businesses frequently utilize the airport,” Long said. “It is very popular in that area. We have people continually asking us about cargo operations, but we don’t have the capability to do that right now. It is a possibility for us. We are also getting an increased amount of charter plane usage.”
Long said the airport is also home to Metro Life Flight, a 24-hour, seven-day-per-week helicopter transport service.
“If we didn’t have them here, it would certainly take longer for them to get to us,” he said.
Another meeting will take place in 2024. To stay current on the planning progress, bookmark www.bjj-master-plan.com and visit the website regularly.
Dan Starcher is the Public Communications Coordinator for Wayne County.