One can always find lots of tools, aircraft parts, aerodrome
lots and t-shirts for sale in the Fly-Market at Oshkosh. But, this
year there was something new (besides SpaceShipOne)!
The Blackwell-Tonkawa Airport Authority, in association
with Ponca City, OK, Economic Development showed up in force
at EAA AirVenture. The group was there, not to sell airplanes, but
to sell the benefits of their airport and region to aviation
businesses looking for a home with Economic Development benefits
galore.
The organizations were well represented by Joe Harris, Director
of the Blackwell/Tonkawa Airport Authority and Oklahoma
Aeronautical Commissioner and his wife Judy; State Senator and Mrs.
David Myers; Brad and Lea Ann Bechtel; David and Janice Myers,
Ponca City ED; Shane Frye and Darrell Grosshart, Blackwell
Industrial Authority; Scott Williams, Western Farmers; Lloyd
Gilbert from Tonkawa; and Decki and DeWitt Beckett. The group was
pleased to have US Senator from Oklahoma, Jim Inhofe (below, in the
black shirt), come by and lend a hand.
The Blackwell-Tonkawa Airport is located directly adjacent to
I-35 only some 55 miles south of Wichita, KS (Air Capital of
the World). They boast a 3500 foot paved runway (soon to be
extended to 5000 feet), FBO for fuel service, and lots of room to
build facilities for any aviation business. Add to these features
the many economic benefits available and many came to see that this
airport means BUSINESS. The AirVenture experience was a first for
the organizations, and from the comments and leads obtained while
there, it will not be the last.
The group was able to take in a lot of what makes Oshkosh a Mecca
for aviation enthusiasts. The vendor displays, airshows, vintage
aircraft, LSA aircraft and new production aircraft, all a part of
the biggest aviation event on the planet. What a great place to
look for expanding aviation businesses looking for that special
environment to flourish and help themselves to the friendly folks
in small-town America - Blackwell, Oklahoma. The yellow shirts were
seen all over the EAA grounds and at many a vendor booth
recruiting.
Senator Inhofe shared that this was the 27th consecutive
Oshkosh he had attended and wouldn't miss it for anything. As the
case would have it, he was not able to spend the entire week, as
his duties in D.C. kept him busy through Thursday. He is one
of those aviation buffs who brings as many family members as
possible, and camps out with all the die-hards. Flying an RV-6 for
his recreation aircraft, he is truly part of general aviation and
Airventure.
The "leader of the pack" in this group, Joe Harris
(above), is also a true EAA'er actively pursuing aircraft
restorations. He is currently working on the complete re-do of a
Harlow (one of only a handful built), so a visit to the Vintage
Aircraft Area was a must to visit another Harlow restorer and
experience a flying Harlow.
FMI: Blackwell-Tonkawa Airport, Joe Harris' office at Kay
Electric, 580-363-1260.