What do you know about Chenango County’s airport?
(Photo by Zachary Meseck)
CHENANGO COUNTY – The Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport is a major resource to businesses and residents in Chenango County, and while it is funded by a trust fund set up in 1986, the Airport serves some of the largest businesses, medical providers, and other not-for-profits in Chenango County and the Southern Tier.
According to Chenango County Planning Director Shane Butler, Chenango County’s airport has a rich history and is still being used to this day for a variety of purposes.
“In 1927, a group of businessmen formed Central New York Airways, Inc. and leased the Hall Farm for a flying field,” said Butler. “The airport has been in operation ever since.”
“The County purchased the airport in 1986 from the Eaton Family and took over operations in 2009 when Gamma Aviation left as Fixed Based Operator.”
Funding
Butler said when the county bought the airport in 1986, part of the agreement with the Eaton Family was that $500,000 of the proceeds from the sale would be put into a trust account. He said the trust account is managed by NBT Bank with input from the County and the Fixed Based Operator (FBO) of the airport.
“As with all trust accounts of this nature, five percent must be pulled out on an annual basis,” he added. “The account currently sits at $540,000 and over its lifetime has generated over $1.5 million to update and maintain the grounds.”
“Gamma Aviation, the previous FBO, ceased operations in 2009 and subsequently Chenango County took over the operations.”
Butler said usually, as part of an FBO agreement, a percentage of fuel sales and other rents from the FBO are collected by Chenango County to maintain the facility, and the county is actively pursuing an FBO to take over operations.
He said Chenango County also applies to the Federal Aviation Administration, the New York State Department of Transportation, and other sources for grants to carry out projects. He added that depending on the grant program, those grants typically fund up to 95 percent of the total project cost, and the remaining cost of the project is paid for using the interest from the trust fund.
“Additional revenues come from t-hangar and jet hangar lease agreements, fuel sales, tie-down fees, and office rental,” Butler said. “Due to the interest generated from the trust fund and additional revenues, the county has not had any direct expenses for upkeep of the airport, personnel, or projects since it was purchased in 1986.”
Frequent Users
According to Butler, frequent users of Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport includes businesses like NBT Bank, Chobani, Bailee Lumber, NYSEG, GE/Unison and Bonnie Plants, medical operations like UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital and LifeNet of NY, residents and tourists.
“From time to time the facility has also been used for military training exercises, non-profit organizations who transport patients to medical appointments by air such as Patient Airlift Services (PALS), animal rescues, and aircraft manufacturers testing aircraft capabilities,” he said.
Butler said when planes need interior repairs, they have the option to go to Plane Leather Repair which is an FAA approved Mobile 145 Interior Repair Station. He said the business has been offering their services for several years and has a lease agreement with the county to use the facility, and sometimes they travel to the aircraft location, or sometimes the aircraft is repaired at the airport.
Other Organization Involvement
“The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1204. EAA Chapter 1204 is a group of aviation enthusiasts, aircraft builders, and pilots who get together with like-minded people to share ideas, exchange information, encourage safety, serve the local aviation community and have a lot of fun doing so,” said Butler. “You may have seen them at Airport Community Day offering Young Eagle rides to youth aged 8-17.”
“They also have scholarship opportunities for local students looking to pursue aviation related fields.”
Interested In Learning More?
Butler said additional information can be found on the county website: http://www.co.chenango.ny.us/airport/.
“We also regularly update our Facebook page with information including events, opportunities, and articles regarding the history of the airport,” he said. “Like or Follow us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LtWarrenEatonAirport/ for updates.”
According to Chenango County Planning Director Shane Butler, Chenango County’s airport has a rich history and is still being used to this day for a variety of purposes.
“In 1927, a group of businessmen formed Central New York Airways, Inc. and leased the Hall Farm for a flying field,” said Butler. “The airport has been in operation ever since.”
“The County purchased the airport in 1986 from the Eaton Family and took over operations in 2009 when Gamma Aviation left as Fixed Based Operator.”
Funding
Butler said when the county bought the airport in 1986, part of the agreement with the Eaton Family was that $500,000 of the proceeds from the sale would be put into a trust account. He said the trust account is managed by NBT Bank with input from the County and the Fixed Based Operator (FBO) of the airport.
“As with all trust accounts of this nature, five percent must be pulled out on an annual basis,” he added. “The account currently sits at $540,000 and over its lifetime has generated over $1.5 million to update and maintain the grounds.”
“Gamma Aviation, the previous FBO, ceased operations in 2009 and subsequently Chenango County took over the operations.”
Butler said usually, as part of an FBO agreement, a percentage of fuel sales and other rents from the FBO are collected by Chenango County to maintain the facility, and the county is actively pursuing an FBO to take over operations.
He said Chenango County also applies to the Federal Aviation Administration, the New York State Department of Transportation, and other sources for grants to carry out projects. He added that depending on the grant program, those grants typically fund up to 95 percent of the total project cost, and the remaining cost of the project is paid for using the interest from the trust fund.
“Additional revenues come from t-hangar and jet hangar lease agreements, fuel sales, tie-down fees, and office rental,” Butler said. “Due to the interest generated from the trust fund and additional revenues, the county has not had any direct expenses for upkeep of the airport, personnel, or projects since it was purchased in 1986.”
Frequent Users
According to Butler, frequent users of Lt. Warren E. Eaton Airport includes businesses like NBT Bank, Chobani, Bailee Lumber, NYSEG, GE/Unison and Bonnie Plants, medical operations like UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital and LifeNet of NY, residents and tourists.
“From time to time the facility has also been used for military training exercises, non-profit organizations who transport patients to medical appointments by air such as Patient Airlift Services (PALS), animal rescues, and aircraft manufacturers testing aircraft capabilities,” he said.
Butler said when planes need interior repairs, they have the option to go to Plane Leather Repair which is an FAA approved Mobile 145 Interior Repair Station. He said the business has been offering their services for several years and has a lease agreement with the county to use the facility, and sometimes they travel to the aircraft location, or sometimes the aircraft is repaired at the airport.
Other Organization Involvement
“The Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 1204. EAA Chapter 1204 is a group of aviation enthusiasts, aircraft builders, and pilots who get together with like-minded people to share ideas, exchange information, encourage safety, serve the local aviation community and have a lot of fun doing so,” said Butler. “You may have seen them at Airport Community Day offering Young Eagle rides to youth aged 8-17.”
“They also have scholarship opportunities for local students looking to pursue aviation related fields.”
Interested In Learning More?
Butler said additional information can be found on the county website: http://www.co.chenango.ny.us/airport/.
“We also regularly update our Facebook page with information including events, opportunities, and articles regarding the history of the airport,” he said. “Like or Follow us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LtWarrenEatonAirport/ for updates.”
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