Chris Collins, airport manager of the Mt.Vernon airport, asked me to
pass along the following to the KR family, especially those that plan
to attend the Gathering in September.
Chris has put in many long and hard hours to put life back in to the
airport and he and his staff are looking forward to the Gathering
in September. Those of you that have met Chris know what great
hosts he and his staff are.
Thanks, Chris..........
Larry Flesner
-----------------PRESS RELEASE-----------------
"Airport Officials Accept Award"
Representatives from Mt. Vernon Outland Airport attended the
2007 Illinois Aviation Conference on Tuesday, May 22, and Wednesday,
May 23, 2007 at the Westin Chicago North Shore Hotel in Wheeling,
Illinois. The highlight of the trip occurred at the Illinois
Department of Transportation-Division of Aeronautics Award Luncheon
on Wednesday afternoon. Mt. Vernon Outland Airport was presented the
2007 Category A (runways 5500 feet in length or longer) General
Aviation Airport of the Year Award.
To introduce the award, Dr. Susan Shea, Director, IDOT-IDA,
highlighted positive elements regarding Mt. Vernon Outland Airport
for the large number of attendees representing airports, governmental
agencies, and technical companies. The Runway 23 Obstruction Removal
Project, the recruitment and development of SRT Aviation, the
Air-Evac Lifeteam Regional Maintenance Base, and the Apple Dumplin
Grandma's Way Restaurant were praised. "Many great things are
happening at Mt. Vernon Outland Airport" Dr. Susan Shea stated.
The conference was sponsored by the Illinois Department of
Transportation-Division of Aeronautics, Illinois Aviation Trades
Association, and the Illinois Public Airports Association. The host
airport was Chicago Executive Airport. Keynote conference speakers
included former Legendary Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka, Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association President Phil Boyer, FAA Regional
Administrator Chris Blum, retired United Airlines CEO Jim Goodwin,
and Linda Schumm of Cessna Aircraft Corporation.
