The county airport continues to be busy, though an anticipated sale of its operations fell through recently. Airport operations manager Jim Parks gave the Ross County Commissioners an update Monday, while he is open to handing over the job as he beats cancer.
He said there were letters of intent from three small companies bundled together, and everyone was poised for the closing…but it did not happen. But it’s a good market, and there are plenty of buyers out there, he said.
The airport operations are basically “fix ’em, fuel ’em, fly ’em.” Parks said running an airport efficiently does not mean needing to be a pilot, but being familiar with the airman’s manual – like knowing the turning radius of various planes. It is a ground-based operation focused on safety.
He said there will be airplane rides and a pancake cookout this weekend by the Ross County Chapter of the American Experimental Aircraft Association. He wants to see the public come out for aviation as a whole – experimental or otherwise.
And if you missed all the excitement a couple summers ago, Parks hopes the Ford Tri-Motor will return this fall.
Parks also said they are trying to get airport improvement funds to repave the runways. Hear him in his own words in the video interview in the article on the Scioto Post.
My previous stories on the “Myrl H. Shoemaker Ross County Airport”:
- A Visit to the Ross County Airport – July 27th, 2022 (including the then-upcoming Ford Tri-Motor).
- Plans Changing at Ross County Airport – November 28th, 2023
- Request for Expansion of Hangar Space at Ross County Airport – February 6th, 2024
Kevin Coleman covers local government and culture for the Scioto Post and iHeart Media Southern Ohio. For stories or questions, contact Kevin Coleman or the iHeart Southern Ohio Newsroom.
1 of 1 Ross County Airport Operations Manager Jim Parks (left) with his attorney confers with county prosecutor and county counsel Jeff Marks (right) and the county commissioners on May 13th, 2024.