Sep. 23—LIMA — Residents might not think about the Allen County Airport much, but pilots certainly do.
The airport had about 32,000 "operations," or flights coming into or out of the airport, in the past year, making air travel simpler for corporate planes, medical flights and hobbyists alike.
"For many people, it's a hidden gem," Allen County Commissioner Beth Seibert said during a presentation to the Lima Rotary Club on Monday. "It's one of those best-kept secrets."
The airport is open for flyers, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's publicly owned and operated by a board, but there's relatively little taxpayer money used for day-to-day operations, said Larry Webb, an airport board member for the past 35 years.
"I've seen a lot of improvements at the airport. The best thing about these improvements is there's very little (local) tax dollars going toward it. The Federal Aviation Administration pays 90% of the improvements. The state of Ohio pays 5 %. The Allen County Airport raises its money through fuel sales. The funding we receive from county commissioners is only 5% of any construction project."
The airport increased its runway to 6,000 feet several years ago, opening it up for bigger planes.
Webb said business leaders and casual flyers alike appreciate being able to get in and out of the airport more quickly without the hassles of larger airports.
Josh Tattrie, the airport manager for the past decade, said all of the airport's T-hangars are to full capacity on the 700-acre complex. It stays busy with trips for organ donation planes, "Angel Flights" to quickly move people to medical appointments and crop-dusters working area fields.
It's still big enough for larger corporate planes. Air Force One landed at the airport during presidential visits by Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
Dave Buettner, a flight instructor, also requirements for people interested in being a pilot. He noted it took around $14,000 worth of investment, ideally over a year, before someone could be adequately trained at the age of 17 or older. He noted prospective pilots can fly on their own after 12 hours of training, compared to the 40 hours of training needed for a driver's license with a car.
Pilots have to learn how to operate by their instruments, but it's still important to visually be able to "use your eyeballs," Buettner said.
Technology has helped. Buettner held up a large printed map that would've been necessary in the past, noting he frequently turns to his iPad these days. There aren't many restrictions flying out of Lima's airport, he said.
"We're really blessed in this country that aviation is pretty free," Buettner said. "There are different types of airspaces, and we're in an area that I tell people is sort of like an island, without water around it. We're more than 50 miles for Dayton, Mansfield, Toledo and Fort Wayne."
Allen County is lucky to have its airport, Webb said.
"At the airport, we have a saying," Webb said. "If you pave a mile of road, it'll take you a mile. If you pave a mile of runway, it'll take you anywhere in the world."
Reach David Trinko at 567-242-0467 or on Twitter @Lima_Trinko.
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