Athens, Tenn. Airport Could Switch Hands

A new company may be hired to manage the McMinn County Airport when the County Commission meets in November, officials said.

The commission's airport committee has recommended Athens Air LLC to manage the county-owned airport.

Joe Guy, assistant to County Mayor John Gentry, said Athens Air LLC has been helping manage the facility for most of the past year since former manager Bill Johnson became ill. If commissioners approve the measure at their monthly business meeting, the new company will take over completely, he said.

Athens Air LLC is owned by Taylor Newman and Kristie Gentry, who is a cousin of the county mayor. Mr. Gentry has recused himself from voting in connection with the approval.

Mr. Johnson said his company, Athens Air Inc., has managed the airport for five years.

"I've enjoyed working with the county, and it's been pretty smooth," said Mr. Johnson, who is being treated for cancer.

He said a runway and facilities expansion that forced the airport to close for some months hurt him economically, but he said those projects nearly are completed and won't hamper the new company's success.

Part of that work involves redoing a portion of the runway expansion.

The $1.9 million "fix" for the runway was necessary after a design flaw in the extension was found by a local pilot. Kenny Witt discovered that a dip in the 1,800-foot extension hid planes landing at one end of the strip from pilots taxiing onto the runway.

Grading work on the repair job is complete, Assistant County Engineer Mike George said.

"It is scheduled to be completed in 30 days, but now the weather could be a factor," Mr. George said. "The rock base is down at this point, and the next stage is the asphalting."

State officials agreed to fund most of the new work.

About 3,300 feet of runway remained open during the grading work, but jets cannot land at the airport. Once the asphalting is completed, full service can return to the facility, Ms. Gentry said.

Ms. Gentry, who is a corporate jet pilot, said she learned to fly at the airport and has worked part-time for Mr. Johnson.

Mr. Newman also is a pilot and lives in Ooltewah. Each plans on working specific days at the McMinn facility, they said.

"We are looking for a smooth transition once it is approved," Ms. Gentry said. The two said they will continue giving flight instruction and providing service for aircraft.

Ms. Gentry said an on-call mechanic will be available. The company plans later to reopen the airport's maintenance shop with an on-staff mechanic, she said.

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