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.