Morehead-Rowan County Airport Board

Morehead-Rowan County Clyde A Thomas Regional Airport is once again the recipient of a state grant for a
significant airport improvement project. On August 21, Governor Andy Beshear announced a $648,184 grant to
the community to complete the funding for the construction of a 302 foot x 186 foot (56,172 SF) concrete apron
for the future construction of up to six (6) large corporate box hangars. The state funding is in addition to federal
grants of $1,272,936 and local funding of $650,637, or a total project cost of $2,571,757 inclusive of engineering,
design an construction. The corporate apron project is the largest capital project undertaken by the Airport
Board since the initial construction of the airport and its opening in 2007.

The Airport’s initial Business Plan received in 2007 focused the Airport Board on multiple growth strategies. The
Airports Long Range Land Plan adopted also in 2007 designated the future site for the construction of the
corporate hangar apron. More recently, in November 2021 the Airport Board received an updated Strategic Plan.
The Board had earlier commissioned Garver Engineering, the Airport’s engineer of record, to undertake and
update the Board’s strategic plan. Corporate hangar partnerships once again were a recommended strategy. “The
1.3 acre corporate apron/pad will allow our airport and community to be responsive to the corporate needs of our
current and future economic partners,” according to Dr. Bruce Mattingly, Chair of the Morehead-Rowan County
Airport Board.

Mattingly added “While the Federal and State grants are obviously critical to our being able to undertake projects
of this nature, the past and on-going support of the county and city is equally important. The annual support the
Airport Board receives from our sponsors enables us to meet mandated grant matching requirements of the
Federal Aviation Administration in addition to allowing us to maintain our facilities and meet operational
demands. Our Board knows we can count on this support. Additionally, because of the long-term economic
impact that this project will have in the community we also received grant assistance from the Morehead-Rowan
County Tourism Commission and the Morehead-Rowan County Industrial Development Authority. The contributions from
Tourism and IDA insured the FAA and the Kentucky Department of Aviation of our
community’s commitment to the Commonwealth’s economic future.

Shamrock Concrete, Louisville, KY was low bidder and began construction of the new apron August 14. The
estimated completion date is November 14. Garver Aviation designed the project.

Held the first Saturday of every month, unless another event is scheduled that day.

Cost: $5 per-person.

Please call (606) 780-0085 with any questions.

Held the first Saturday of every month, unless another event is scheduled that day.

Cost: $5 per-person.

Please call (606) 780-0085 with any questions.

$1,000 was presented to Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1525 for their Flight Training Scholarship Program Giving Wings To Our Next Generation. Pictured (left to right) with the donation are American Legion member Scott Barker; EAA1525 Chapter President Lee Lipps; Rowan County High School Aviation Teacher Dr. Shannon Murphy; Rowan County Senior High School Principal Jordan Mann; and American Legion Member Larry Law

Funding for this donation comes from the estate of member Steve Fouch who recently passed away and asked the Legion to devote a portion of his estate to a worthy community cause.  Major Fouch was an Air Force Veteran, and it was thought that a program supporting aviation training for youth would be most appropriate to honor his legacy. This check is the first that will be donated from Major Fouch’s estate to the EAA Flight Scholarship fund over the next 10 years.

The aviation career field is exploding with demand for young pilots, mechanics, and other related aviation professionals.  Our local high schools in Rowan and Morgan have stepped up to the challenge by incorporating special aviation classes in their curriculum to help motivated students take first steps toward gaining their wings. Hands-on flight training, however, is a separate endeavor which is expensive and intense.  Qualifying for a Private Pilot License is a foundational step for most aviation careers and must be funded over and above other related studies.

EAA Chapter 1525, headquartered at the Morehead Kentucky Airport, has worked for the last two years to garner flight training scholarship funding for high school students expressing a serious interest in aviation careers.  Two students (one from Rowan County and one from Morgan County) have so far benefited from these scholarships. Some funding for aviation training is provided by EAA International, but such resources are limited and local EAA chapters are encouraged to seek local support to supplement the funding.

Flight training is a character-building endeavor. It requires mind/body discipline, academic ability, and personal perseverance. It is a worthy investment for the development of young people in our community.  American Legion Post 126 believes Major Fouch would be pleased with this opportunity to help a young aviator earn his or her wings.                                                                                                 ………………………………………………….              James Stevens, EAA Chapter 1525 Vice President 12.16.2022

Airport Improvement Projects

Morehead Rowan County Airport Board

Morehead, KY (KSYM)

The Morehead Rowan County Airport Board continues to work with federal, state, and local governments to maintain and upgrade the airport to the highest standard. Garver, a multidiscipline engineering, planning and environmental services firm with a nationwide footprint, is now in its seventh year as the Board’s aviation engineering partner for all airport projects.  The Morehead-Rowan County Clyde A. Thomas Regional Airport (KSYM), now almost 15 years old, serves many types of general aviation such as, medivac, business, military, training and recreational.

We have been fortunate to have the federal, state and local (county and city) governments financial support to properly maintain a state-of-the-art complex.  Recent capital projects have netted an investment of nearly 5 million dollars to enhance the safety and the long-term infrastructure of the airport.

Major projects recently undertaken include a complete fuel system restoration, a renovation of the 5,500 foot runway and the replacement of the runway and taxiway lighting system.  Federal (FAA) funds and state funds through the Kentucky Department of Aviation (KDA) are our primary funding partners.  The City and County provide funding to meet matching of Federal Airport Improvement Grants – usually five (5) per cent and meet other operational needs.

The fuel system renovation involved replacing worn components, and updating others such as a cellular credit card “Pay at the pump” system for both JET and general aviation (100 low lead) aircraft.  The project included the interior cleaning of the tanks, repainting of the exterior and new placards.

The runway renovation repaired a section that was damaged by drainage issues and concluded with a full width and length repaving and striping.  This is not like paving a road, as the asphalt has to be a special mix that will hold up to the rigorous use from different types of aircraft. The striping was completed with a reflective paint that helps pilots during night landings.

The airfield lighting project corrected chronic issues with the initial installation.  Garver and the FAA’s research showed that a complete makeover of the lighting system utilizing new LED technology would net the best long-term safety.

The Morehead-Rowan County Airport Board is a 10-member volunteer board appointed by the Rowan County Fiscal Court and the City of Morehead.  The Board and Garver work with the FAA and KDA to make these projects possible.  All capital projects meet FAA standards, are competitively bid and completed in a manner that is least disruptive to our airport patrons.

We are looking ahead to the future and working to support a greater level of business aviation to KSYM.  A new apron area on the north end of the airport estimated to cost $1.6 million is being planned to serve additional corporate aircraft as the community continues its aggressive economic expansion.  As needs are identified, more capital projects will be undertaken as we intend to be the #1 general aviation airport in the east.

Aaron Roberts, Member

Morehead-Rowan County Airport Board

October 25, 2022

After a period of reduced activity during the Covid pandemic, the Bluegrass Flyers, EAA chapter 1525 is emerging from the winter months to kick off a number of aviation events.  On April 23, the chapter will sponsor a Young Eagles Event at the airport where youth between age 8 and 17 can experience a free 20 minute flight around the area (with parent’s approval). The event will be hosted from 0830 to 1130, weather permitting.  Additionally, the chapter has resumed the popular monthly “Breakfast at the Airport” event on the first Saturday of each month and lunchtime chapter meetings on 3rd Saturdays. Young Eagles flights may be offered on some of those days too if prior arrangements are made with the Young Eagles coordinator. (Call 703 615 8322 to confirm.)

With our nation continuing to suffer pilot shortages, the chapter has again secured flight scholarship funding from the EAA International organization to pay for flight training for one student ages 16 to 18.  Donations for additional scholarships are also being accepted for future scholarships. Donation flyers are available at the airport.

As always, the chapter welcomes new members who have an interest in aviation.  They have airplane builders, pilots with planes and are forming up a group for Radio Controlled model planes. You don’t have to be a pilot to participate with these activities. Chapter president Lee Lipps says: “Come fly with us at the Morehead Rowan County Clyde A Thomas Regional Airport “  The airport is located off state route 801 at 1800 Rodney Hitch Blvd, Morehead, KY 40351.

Our EAA chapter is resuming their monthly  pancake breakfast this Saturday from 8 am until 10:30 am in the Community Hangar. Proceeds from the breakfast are used to support flight instruction scholarships for local high school students.

Hope to see you there!

Photos

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The Federal Aviation Administration has announced the award of a $1,294,922 grant to the Morehead-Rowan County Clyde A. Thomas Regional Airport for the Phase II mill and overlay rehabilitation of its runway. The Morehead-Rowan County airport grant was one of twelve FAA projects totaling $16.6 million at Kentucky airports. The grant amount for the Clyde A. Thomas airport was exceeded only by grants to the Muhammad Ali International Airport in Louisville and the Jamestown, KY general aviation airport. Garver, the local airport’s aviation engineer of record designed the project with guidance from the Kentucky Department of Aviation, the local Airport Board and the Airport’s Fixed Based Operator. Hinkle Contracting Company will perform the work. Work on the runway is slated to begin in August. This latest infrastructure improvement project is the third project at the airport in the last two years. Previously two state grants through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Aviation totaling $2.4 million have been undertaken and are in the final phase of completion.

Honor Flight for WWII Veterans – Saturday, June 19.

The Morehead-Rowan County, Clyde A. Thomas, Regional Airport has been approved for an Honor Flight for any WWII veteran on June 19, 2021. VFWs have been contacted and five individuals have been found who qualify for the flight, but we are searching also for Korean Conflict vets. The flight on a B25 Bomber is free to veterans of the WWII and Korean Conflict era. If anyone knows of a veteran of the WWII and Korean era who may be interested, please contact Jack Holley, Jr.. FBO, at phone number 606-780-0085, or visit the airport at 1800 Rodney Hitch Blvd, Morehead, KY. We invite community support to show appreciation for their service and those who are manning and supporting the flight. The plane will arrive at 6:00pm and the flight will take off at 7:00pm