Changes abound at UCRA

UPPER CUMBERLAND — The Upper Cumberland Regional Airport Board spent the majority of 2012 ironing out lease details with former fixed-base operator Region Air.

Region Air and the UCRA parted ways in June after several months of lease negotiations. UCRA purchased the assets of Region Air — estimated to be worth $75,000 — and for the airport to provide those services.

Mack Air, the airport’s former maintenance provider, terminated its lease with the airport in the spring citing demand issues.

In September, the airport hired a new maintenance provider. Audie Jestes, an experienced aviation mechanic out of Knoxville, moved to the area to set up shop. JAMMS, LLC Aircraft Services Company has been serving the airport since October.

A new flight school provider also moved into UCRA. Crystal Air, who operates in other Tennessee and Georgia locations, officially opened its Sparta location in September.

While the airport found a new maintenance provider and a new flight school, the board chose not to hire an FBO for the airport at this time and subsequently scrapped the possibility of having an airshow in 2013.

At the end of the year, the board discussed a suggestion to change the airport’s name.

While no action was taken, the board seemed to agree that substituting “Highlands” in place of “Upper Cumberland” would be better fitting for the airport, it’s location and would tie into the Highlands Initiative.

Area Rail Trail projects also began picking up steam in 2012, with one segment officially completed.

This past year has seen some movement with regards to the physical formation of the Tennessee Central Heritage Rail Trail.

Monterey’s Ken Hall was appointed the chairman of the board of directors and since then, he’s gotten the Facebook page created and donations rolling in.

But the biggest happening in 2012 was the opening of the Monterey segment of the trail. The half-mile segment opened to the public in November. It goes from the Monterey VFW building past the depot and behind the community center.

That segment of the project was celebrated with a groundbreaking in August.

Plans for phase two are underway with the environmentals currently being updated and plans reviewed by state officials.

Rules and regulations for the trail were also established this past year.