Putnam County Regional Airport named 2018 Airport of the Year

Putnam County Regional Airport was named 2018 Airport of the Year at the recent Aviation Indiana annual meeting in Evansville.

Karen Arland of Ice Miller Legal Counsel presented the award to Perry Wainman, president of the Putnam County Airport Authority.

Putnam County Airport Authority members, PDM Aviation LLC, EAA members, service providers and spouses celebrate Putnam County Regional Airport receiving the 2018 Airport of the Year from Aviation Indiana. On hand for the announcement at Evansville recently are (back, from left) Jason Clearwaters, BF&S Civil Engineering; Gregg Reinoehl, EAA Chapter president; Perry Wainman, Airport Authority president; Doug Miller, PDM Aviation LLC manager; Deborah Miller; Betty Eaton; Rex Eaton, Airport Authority treasurer; Jim Spore, Airport Authority member; Don Tribbet, Tribbet Law Firm; J.R. Scott public relations specialist, PDM Aviation LLC; and (front, from left) Sharon Reinoehl, EAA Chapter treasurer; Rosemary Wainman; Connie Tribbet and Ginger Scott. Not pictured are Airport Authority member Bill Newgent and Vice President Cathy Tipton.

In presenting the award, Arland noted that the local airport has had many accomplishments in the past several years. Those have included apron expansion, airport authority adoption, airport history project completion, EAA shelter construction, a runway vertical curve project, flight training program, Stat Flight Air Medical Helicopter relocation on airfield, self-service fuel construction, perimeter fence and new hangar construction.

"We are pleased to have many partnerships that make our airport a success, such as Putnam County Commissioners, Putnam County Council, City of Greencastle, BF&S Civil Engineering, EAA Chapter 1374, PRA Chapter 34, CERT, AOPA, FAA, DePauw University and others," Wainman said.

The airport has proven instrumental in attracting major economic contributions to the local economy such as Crown Equipment, Heartland Automotive, Walmart Distribution, DePauw University, POET Ethanol and Phoenix Closures, all of which, Wainman said, "underscore the vital economic services provided by the aviation facility."

"The airport is an essential component to the local economic development," Wainman added.

Arland noted that the annual Putnam County Airport Appreciation Days celebration "is to be commended for its community awareness and partnerships."

The event has grown from a single day to a two-day event that includes not only aviation-related activities but participation from various community and local groups. Since 2003 the EAA chapter has flown more than 2000 Young Eagles.

Wainman thanked the current Airport Authority members, Airport Manager Doug Miller, Public Relations Specialist and past president J.R. Scott, Putnam County leaders, Greencastle city leaders, BF&S Civil Engineering, EAA Chapter 1374 and PRA Chapter 94 "for their dedication and commitment to continue the growth of the Putnam County Regional Airport."

Along with the receiving a plaque, the Airport Authority received a $1,000 from Aviation Indiana to give to the aviation charity of its choice. The authority chose EAA Chapter 1374 and the J.R. and Ginger Scott Aviation Scholarship through the Putnam County Community Foundation.

The EAA Chapter will use the funds toward the Young Eagle Program. The Scott scholarship is awarded to a Putnam County student who has interested in pursuing a career in the aviation field.