Airfield Letter - June 2025
Alex Nelon
2 min read
June 1, 2025
Hello Airfield Friend . . .
It’s great to report that the recovery of our airfield is almost complete after many months of hard work by a whole host of volunteers who gave freely of their time and talent. The work isn’t finished, but we are at a point where we can enjoy a summer of fun flying, museum events, spontaneous gatherings and innovation.
The new taxiway from the west side of the museum hangar to the museum taxiway was completed in late May and is now in use. Our museum hangar tenants don’t have to taxi over uneven or soft ground to reach the runways thanks to a combination of funding sources: The Community Foundation of Henderson County, Bill and Ida Walker, Joe Harber and our GoFundMe contributors.
We’re looking for some help with a few remaining projects. The most pressing need is a tractor to pull the runway mower. Our old tractor is showing its age and is in sore need of retirement. Other smaller projects include removal of the old fuel shed, grading for drainage where the old shed now stands, wiring for the new lights in the museum hangar, a runway camera and weather station, and a commemorative monument for Johnson Field. All these things take money, particularly the tractor, and we are actively seeking funding.
There has been quite a bit of publicity for the Museum lately; WLOS ran a feature story on their newscast and WHKP held a very good Hometown Hero interview with our Bill Kelder that highlighted the efforts of our volunteers.
You can see the WLOS story at: https://wlos.com/news/local/air-museum-reopens-hurricane-flooding-western-north-carolina-summer-wright-brothers-world-war-ii-history-educational
The WHKP podcast can be found at:
https://www.bussprout.com/1879460/episodes/17252913
UPCOMING EVENTS
EAA Chapter 1016 meets on the second Tuesday of the month at the Museum at 6pm. (Tuesday, June 11). Program is by Steve Murray about how he restored his flooded airplane engine. Steve is a terrific presenter and his journey is sure to include some AHA! Moments. Food available by donation.
The WNC Air Museum membership meets on the 4th Thursday of the month at the Museum at 6pm. (Thursday, June 26). This is a cookout event. Donation.
Other spontaneous events occur during the month . . .it seems, more and more, somebody is hatching a plot to host something at the airfield! For example, Ron and Adriana Stamey hosted a fantastic, authentic taco lunch last weekend! Stay in touch & stay tuned! If you want to dance, you gotta show up! Bring a friend!
Our Hangar Tenants:
Museum Hangar:
West Side: Museum (half space) // Walker/Wade // Walker/Wade // Field // Museum (half space)
East Side: Coby // Tuck Anderson // Tim Anderson // Cosner
Johnson Field Hangars:
Davis
Oreck/Phillips-Jacobus
Smith/R. Brown/Woodall
Moore
Osteen/Warrington/Kemper
Nelon/Cigal
Goutell/Stamey
Charbonneau
Huneycutt/
Upgrade/Wait List:
Norman Earle (for private hangar)
Travis Brown (private hangar)
Wait List (ready)
Roger Benton (Lance)
Seay Stephens (Ultralight)
Standby List: * denotes wish to remain on a waitlist but not ready
*Dennis Carlson (Highlander)
*Ben Flaspoehler (J3 in SC)
*Mike Lynch (J3/172 in Fla)
*Barry Duncan (RV-7 project)
As always, please contact either Mark or Alex if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions, etc or you want to volunteer to help. There are plenty of projects available.
To volunteer in the Museum Building, contact Bill Kelder at: wncamadm8nc9@gmail.com
The Airfield email address is: airfield8nc9@gmail.com
The Airfield website is: https://airfield8nc9.org
Alex Nelon 828-595-5950
Mark Cigal 860-930-5453