Small-Town Airports: Efficient Use Of Space And Resources

Small-town airports are a boon for the communities they serve, providing a necessary way into town and supporting the local economy. They are a tool to attract new businesses, providing a competitive advantage for towns that larger airports cannot offer. Small-town airports also serve a variety of other functions, including medical transportation, tourism, and supporting local farmers. They are often used for emergency medical transports, the movement of products, and law enforcement, providing access to small and remote communities. While they may face challenges in justifying their existence, small-town airports have a significant economic impact, generating billions in economic input and contributing to the nation's gross domestic product.

Small-town airports can be a boon for local economies and job creation

Firstly, they can facilitate medical transportation for patients who need to travel long distances, which can be life-saving in emergencies. For example, the airport in Clinton, with its radar technology, also provides reliable weather information for the hospital's helicopter operations.

Secondly, small-town airports can enhance the tourism industry by making the town more accessible to visitors. They can also bring in revenue through fuel sales, building leases, and special events, contributing to the local economy. For instance, the airport in Paxton has become a selling point when attracting new businesses to the town, as it offers the convenience of air travel.

Furthermore, small-town airports can be a crucial link to the global transportation network, which is essential for businesses and residents alike. They can help attract and retain businesses, providing an advantage for companies that rely on air travel for their operations. This was the case for Peoria, Illinois, where the lack of adequate air service was cited as a reason for Caterpillar Inc.'s headquarters relocation to Chicago.

Additionally, small-town airports can create jobs directly and indirectly. They provide employment opportunities in various roles, from airport management to support staff. The presence of an airport can also encourage the establishment of ancillary businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, and rental car services, further boosting job creation in the area.

While small-town airports come with challenges, such as the struggle to gain public support and the high costs of operation, they can undoubtedly be a boon for local economies and job markets. They are a valuable asset that can enhance a community's connectivity, attractiveness to businesses, and overall quality of life.

They can help attract businesses and tourists

Small-town airports can be a boon for local economies, helping to attract businesses and tourists. They can be a selling point for towns, encouraging businesses to relocate to the area. For example, the airport in Paxton was originally built to serve a local businessman who flew to and from another business he owned out of state. Now, the airport is used to entice other businesses to the town.

Small-town airports can also bring people to a community, who will spend money in the local economy. For example, the airport in Clinton, with its two runways, facilitates private jets. Even if it's only a couple of people a month, that's still more people stopping for food, renting a hotel room, or shopping in the town.

Small-town airports can also be a way to attract tourists. Airports in tourist destinations, such as South Carolina, bring in thousands of tourists who want to visit the area.

Additionally, small-town airports can be a necessary way into town, just like a road. They can also be used for medical transportation, such as airlifting patients who need to travel further than a helicopter can, or for emergency medical transports.

Finally, small-town airports can be a source of jobs and economic activity. For example, the Greenville Downtown Airport in South Carolina provides 547 jobs and has an annual payroll of almost $35 million. The airport is credited with $68.8 million in economic activity.

They can be used for medical emergencies

Small-town airports can be used for medical emergencies and play a crucial role in providing rapid patient transportation. For instance, the airport in Paxton is used when a patient needs to be airlifted, and the Clinton Regional airport facilitates medical transportation for patients who need to travel further than the helicopter at the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital can manage. In such cases, the airport's radar also provides reliable weather information for the hospital's helicopter operations.

Small-town airports can be a lifeline for individuals requiring urgent medical attention and are essential for communities that might otherwise be cut off from rapid emergency services. They can be used to airlift patients to larger hospitals or trauma centres, providing access to specialised medical care that may not be available locally. This can be especially crucial in time-sensitive situations, such as organ transplants, severe trauma, or when advanced medical equipment is required.

Furthermore, small airports can be a vital link in the chain of emergency medical services. They can be used as a staging area for emergency response teams, providing a base for ambulances, helicopters, and other emergency vehicles. This enables quicker response times and more efficient coordination of resources during emergencies. Small-town airports can also facilitate the transfer of medical supplies, organs, or blood products, ensuring that local medical facilities have access to the resources they need.

In addition to emergency situations, small-town airports can also support non-emergency medical transport. They can be used by patients who require specialised care at facilities in other cities or states, particularly those in remote or rural areas. This includes individuals with rare medical conditions, those requiring ongoing treatment, or those who need to travel for rehabilitation or specialised surgeries. Small-town airports can thus play a vital role in ensuring access to healthcare for residents of smaller communities.

While the number of medical flights from small-town airports may be relatively low, they can make a significant difference to those patients who rely on them. Small-town airports can be a vital asset in such cases, providing a faster, more efficient, and potentially life-saving mode of transportation.

They can be a hub for special events

Small-town airports can be a hub for special events, bringing people together and boosting the local economy. For example, the airport in Paxton was originally built to serve a local businessman who flew to and from another business he owned out of state. Now, it's a selling point when speaking with businesses that may want to relocate to Paxton. The airport in Rantoul, Illinois, is another example of a small town that has benefited from having an airport. The town has shrunk over the years, but the airport has remained self-sustaining, serving as a base for local farmers' crop sprayers and attracting new businesses.

The airport in Clinton, with its two runways, also facilitates private jets, becoming a convenient fuelling station for military planes, private jets, and small hobby planes. The radars at Clinton Regional also provide reliable weather information for the local hospital's helicopter.

Small-town airports can also be a lifeline for medical emergencies, with patients needing to be airlifted, and they can facilitate business travel, making it easier for companies to attract talent and conduct business across multiple locations.

By hosting special events, small-town airports can become self-sustaining aeronautical hubs. For instance, the airport in Rantoul hosts the Half Century of Progress Show, a four-day farm show that attracts people from across the country and briefly shuts down the airport every other summer.

While small-town airports provide tangible benefits, their impact can also be challenging to quantify. They are often unnoticeable when dormant but can become extremely noticeable when in use. Nevertheless, they are a valuable piece of the infrastructure puzzle, contributing to the quality of life and economic growth of rural communities.

They can be a base for local farmers' crop sprayers

Small-town airports can be a base for local farmers' crop sprayers. Farmers may use aircraft for crop dusting, or aerial spraying, to apply pesticides or fertilizers to their crops. This method of agricultural application began in the 1920s and has been a common practice since, with the most common agricultural aircraft being fixed-wing.

Farmers may choose to register their fields as airports to facilitate this process. This allows them to fly their ultralight aircraft, small SELs, or crop dusters in and out of their fields. It may be cheaper and more efficient for farmers to spray their crops from their fields, rather than travelling to a local airport. Additionally, registering their fields as airports can help farmers avoid the construction of power lines, which are hazardous for low-flying aircraft, near their fields.

Furthermore, having a registered airport on the land can provide an emergency landing site for aircraft in need. This altruistic motivation is a common reason for farmers to open their fields as registered airports. It provides a safe landing spot for aircraft experiencing engine failure or other issues, potentially saving lives.

Small-town airports can play a vital role in supporting local farmers by providing a base for crop sprayers. This helps increase crop yields and create new jobs in the community, contributing to the local economy.

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