McCook airport wins statewide award

Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Members of the McCook Airport Advisory Commission present city staff with the “Part 139, 2018 Airport of the Year” awarded to the McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport, by the State of Nebraska, Nebraska Department of Transportation- Division of Aeronautics on Jan. 24. One award is granted each year and was presented at the Nebraska Aviation Symposium in Kearney, Neb. Shown from left are Kyle Potthoff, City of McCook Public Works director/airport assistant manager, Dick Trail and Doug Skiles, both Airport Advisory Commission members and Nate Schneider, McCook city manager.
Lorri Sughroue/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. — McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport was awarded the “Part 139 Airport of the Year” at the recent Nebraska Aviation Symposium in Kearney, Neb.

The award and sign were presented to the McCook City Council Monday night. The sign will be posted at the McCook airport.

Kyle Potthoff, Ben Nelson Regional Airport Assistant Manager and Dick Trail, Vice President of the Airport Advisory Commission, accepted the award Jan. 24 at the aviation symposium. One awarded is granted each year statewide.

The award is the result of efforts by a host of persons who labor year around to make the McCook Airport a welcome stop for pilots across this nation, Trail said. Criteria for the award included the dramatic increase in ridership of Boutique Airline over Great Lakes Air which previously served this area as part of the National Essential Air Service program.

Federal Air Regulation, Part 139, establishes the criteria for airports to qualify for service by feeder type airlines. Included are fencing of the airport for security purposes, a local law enforcement presence when an airliner is present, certification of personnel to refuel the airliner, a decent terminal for passengers embarking and disembarking, the presence of TSA and more.

The award is a pat on the back for Ken Vontz, Trail said, who keeps the grounds and support equipment for the airport maintained in an excellent manner, Terri Gray, the terminal manager and her staff, Brenda Svoboda, area TSA manager as well as Shirley Wheelbarger of Red Willow Aviation who oversees certification of refueling and line personnel and Nate Schneider, City Manager/Airport Manager, who coordinates all operations related to the airport.

“It’s a team effort and McCook can be proud to be recognized by the Nebraska Aviation Council,” Trail said.

The friendliness of the airport is known by pilots, Skiles told the city council, adding, “It’s the only place I fly out that I can say I get a hug from TSA.”

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