Set on 40 acres just northwest of Washington C.H., known as the old Fayette County Farm and Children’s Home, is the Fayette County Airport – the newest member of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce.
Located at 2270 State Route 38, Washington C.H., the airport has been in existence since 1966, providing aircraft maintenance, storage, fueling and flight training.
Jerry Van Dyke, airport manager, reports that currently 25 privately owned airplanes are housed at the site in addition to 12 private hangars, and two large community hangars. Upgrades are in the works to offer more services to larger aircraft including more hangar space and a repaving of the runway.
An average of six to 10 corporate jets land at the airport each month and a courtesy van is available to those who fly in, allowing them freedom to shop, eat and do business in Fayette County. Van Dyke says that summer time sees a lot of crop dusting planes coming to the airport as well.
Several events are held throughout the year at the airport – the Toast to Summer wine tasting and hot air balloon glow, fly-ins, open houses, and SW Ohio Corngrowers field days. This weekend will be another – the annual Airport Open House and Fly-in, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Airplane rides, helicopter rides, free kids activities, food, a car show and antique tractor show are all part of the day.
Van Dyke wants people to know the “airport is something a lot of people don’t know about. It’s part of the county, county property, and open to the public at any time if they want to come look around or have picnics. There are some hangar space and venues available for rent for receptions, birthday parties, company picnics and family reunions. It’s the people’s airport so we want them to come and enjoy it.”
“The Fayette County Airport has a 49 year tradition of serving Fayette County and supporting the mission of the Chamber to foster economic growth and we are happy to have them as members,” said Chamber president Whitney Gentry.
For more information about the airport, contact Jerry Van Dyke at 740-335-2430.
