Stacie, Tim Hardage Recognized for Years of Service Through Rocket Aviation

Aug. 24—For 16 years, Stacie and Tim Hardage have managed operations at the Plainview-Hale County Airport.

On Aug. 18, the chapter officially closed on Rocket Aviation, the fixed based operator owned by the Hardages.

The couple was recognized with a special reception at Plainview City Hall on Tuesday just before being awarded the key to the city during the City Council meeting.

"We have been so lucky," said Mayor Charles Starnes as he stood before a packed council chamber.

During the Hardages' tenure through Rocket Aviation, they've overseen many improvement projects like resurfacing to keep the place at its best. They've also played a part in creating the Airport Master Plan. Beyond that, customer service was a high priority and Stacie credits that for the airport generating such steady daily traffic.

In 2017, several good things happened for the airport, most notably, it was voted the best stop in the Air Race Classic, a flying contest in which female pilots race to make it to eight to nine stopping points across the country within a span of four days, according to the ARC website. Stacie is particularly proud of that.

The airport also began renovations in 2016 and was voted the Most Improved General Aviation Airport in 2017. As she steps away, the Hardages hope to see the airport continue to grow — and it's on track to do so, according to Stacie.

"Our airport is one of the premiere places in our country," Starnes said.

Both Stacie and Tim worked at the airport until 2011 when he took a step back to pursue other aviation-related interests, Stacie said.

"I've been running the business since then," she told The Herald.

She was the managing partner of Rocket Aviation and the manager of the Plainview-Hale County Airport. Basically, she said, she oversaw the overall airport business management in her roles.

Her favorite part of the experience, though, was meeting interesting people from all over the world. A few notable people that stopped through over the years include Dale Earnhardt Jr., Gene Simmons, Don Cheadle and Dr. Phil.

"I love being out here," she said. "I love aviation. I am not a pilot but I've always been intrigued by airplanes."

She grew up in a home next to an airport runway in Dimmitt. She always enjoyed watching the planes land and take off for other destinations. By happy coincidence, the man she later married was just as interested in aviation.

Tim's dad was a pilot and used to take him out flying when he was just 2 years old, Stacie said. Together, the couple grew to love aviation even more. Tim got his pilot license in 1986 as a college freshman.

Taking on a business like Rocket Aviation naturally aligned with their interests.

Now as she turns the page, Stacie said it's bittersweet. While the airport holds many of her professional highlights, it also holds many personal ones. Her daughters grew up around there. They rode their bikes around the grounds, she noted.

But it was time to say goodbye, she added.

A few years ago, the company started selling its assets to the city and the county. They turned around and hired Rocket Aviation to manage them.

"We entered into a three-year contract. That contract is up," Stacie said. "We felt it was time to step back and do something different."

Tradewinds FBO, LLC out of Amarillo was hired to take over.

Looking around her office piled with old files to sort through ahead of her last day as manager, Stacie said she's not sure what's next. She's sure looking forward to spending more time with her two grandbabies.

"It's been a great flight," she said.

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