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The most colorful aircraft present was an open-air red and yellow
ultralight that came in from Newark. Pilots conversed in the warm
and breezy hangar, talking planes, flying experiences and airport
history. A bit of history
The airport, located to the east of Lincoln, has quick and easy
access to Interstate 55. It was the vision of the Logan County board
of supervisors of the late 1940s that created the airport as it is
today. The board worked with the Civil Aeronautics Administration,
Illinois Department of Aeronautics, in designing the runways and
grounds. It cost $400,000 to build and offered a large shop hangar
with office (currently occupied by Heritage In Flight), a cafe and
several hangars for rent at its south end. The runway was 3,300 feet
long.
The airport today
Small rural airports tend to serve mostly recreational flying.
While it can't be measured exactly, a portion of Logan County
traffic can be attributed to business traffic. Pilots who travel
distances serving businesses get books that show airport size,
services and fuel prices. The low fuel prices and un-congested,
non-towered, quick and easy access lure many aircraft to Logan
County for a quick refueling stop.
Pilots have access to the main building 24 hours per day to use
restrooms and get refreshment before returning to their travels.
Though locked after hours, the building can be opened by code after
hours.
The Automated Weather Operating System at the airport offers
up-to-the-minute local weather conditions that pilots can view in
the airport reception room, call in for by phone or tune in on their
radios while in their plane. Critical weather factors such as
atmospheric pressure, wind direction and velocity, cloud levels,
visibility, temperature, and dew point are provided. Accurate
weather information is a critical factor in flight planning, and
Logan County is fortunate to have that information gathered just
hundreds of yards from the airport by the National Weather Service
station.
A 4,000-foot runway is friction seal-coated asphalt,
well-maintained. The friction coat that was added this last year
allows better stopping even when wet for large aircraft and small
jets. This runway is lined with low-intensity lights that can be
cued up by radio signal from the pilot for night landings.
Additionally, the airport maintains a grass strip at the north
end that runs 140/320 degrees. The added runway direction provides
pilots with an option to avoid strong crosswinds for safer takeoffs
and landings.
Economic impact
The ability to support small jets and corporate planes enhances
local economic prospects. County coordinator Dewey Colter said that
there have been several requests that the county add jet fuel so
that those aircraft bringing visitors to our area, which is
happening more often, do not have to go elsewhere to fuel up. A
feasibility study is being done on that.
Colleges, manufacturing and other businesses frequently realize
the benefit of the closeness of the airport when bringing in
corporate executives, inspectors and guest speakers. It is a common
gateway that officials that travel great distances often use. The
Illinois secretary of state flew in a few weeks ago.
Visitors often make use of the courtesy vehicle at the airport,
available by advance arrangement.
The airport serves as the hub of many aviation activities.
Numerous education, events, aircraft services and social
opportunities are offered on the grounds.
The airport is owned by Logan County. The airport committee of
the Logan County Board, chaired by Bill Sahs, currently oversees
grounds maintenance and general operations. The county leases a large number of hangars for pilots to store
their aircraft. Most planes housed there are for training and
recreational use. A few are for commercial use.
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 Services available:
Aerial chemical application and seeding is offered by Holzwarth
Flying Service.
A list of certified flight instructors can be found on bulletin
boards in the airport office or Heritage In Flight office.
Instructors and planes are available for training in recreational,
private pilot and instrument flight at highly competitive rates.
Evans Aviation maintains hangar space in the main building for
aircraft maintenance and repairs.
Norm Clark also offers aircraft repairs, maintenance and other
services.
Clyde Zellers stores and offers "warbird" plane flights and
performance services.
Larry Collins of Flying Safely offers periodic ground school and
flight lessons.
Special events:
Over the last two years Heritage In Flight and the Bloomington
EAA Chapter 29 have hosted five Young Eagle events. The Young Eagles
program sees that youth get an introduction to the excitement of
aviation and free flight in a small aircraft.
Youth have also participated in weeklong Careers in Aviation
sessions offered by HIF.
Fly-ins: The airport has hosted numerous fly-ins over the years.
Last October owners of Fairchild aircraft were hosted by Heritage In
Flight for their annual reunion. A few years ago pilots of Navions
flew their aircraft in and visited for a few days. For several years
the Central Illinois Ultralight Club came and graced the grounds
with their colorful aircraft in September.
Every Wednesday pilots fly in from all over central Illinois for
a cup of coffee, some sweets and good aviation talk in the upstairs
meeting room of the central airport building.
Balloon fest
The airport has been chosen as Lincoln's new site for the annual
balloon fest this coming Aug. 26, 27 and 28.
Homeland security
New measures will be implemented later this year as part of
homeland security provisions. An electronic gate will be added to
access hangars.
Future changes
Additional access gates will be added for next year's balloon
fest, and the facilities will get connected to city water in the
next year.
Dedicated in the memory of our military forces
Just on the heels of World War II, the new airport was dedicated
to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces from both world wars
and to lasting peace and national defense. The granite monument
marker can be seen outside the
Heritage In
Flight Museum.
Address:
Logan County Airport
1351 Airport Road
Lincoln, IL 62656
[Jan
Youngquist]
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