Orr to celebrate hangar completion

[Dan Hoehn]

By Tom Klein
Timberjay Newspapers
August 11, 2008

Orr will celebrate the completion of a major project with a Fly-In at
the Orr Regional Airport on Saturday, Aug. 16. The Fly-In is
scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 2 p.m. with a
dedication ceremony for a newly constructed $415,000 hangar slated at
noon.

“It’s a chance to show people all that we have at the airport,” said
Airport Manager Rod Dunn. City Clerk Louise Redmond made the same
point. “It’s one of our city’s greatest assets and we want to promote
it,” she said of the airport.

The hangar provides another source of revenue for the city’s airport,
which is renting space to pilots. Accordng to Dunn, the 80x80-foot
hangar can accommodate up to five small planes and features a heated
floor, using off-peak electric power, that helps protect aircraft in
cold weather. The city’s previous hangar, which still has slots for
rent, was not heated.

The city accumulated federal grant money for three years to help pay
for the hangar’s construction. Federal dollars picked up 95 percent of
the tab, according to Dunn.

The hangar isn’t the only new addition at the aiport. A new PAPI
lighting and approach system has been installed and is in the process
of going through a final check, Dunn said. In addition, Orr recently
joined the state’s Adopt An Airport program.

Through the program, local civic and community groups or individuals
can adopt the Orr Regional Airport by volunteering their services for
airport projects. Such projects can include improving the appearance
of the airport by planting flowers to beautify the site, picking up
debris along access roads and fences, mowing and trimming natural
areas, and painting and maintaining airport buildings.

Both the airport and its volunteer groups receive signs indicating
their participation in the program that can be placed in a conspicious
location such as the entrance to the airport. The signs serve to
promote the program to the public and give recognition to volunteer
groups.

Those interested in taking part in the program are encouraged to
contact Orr City Hall at 757-3288.

In addition to the dedicaton of the new hangar, Saturday’s Fly-In will
feature free airplane rides for youngsters eligible to participate in
the Young Eagles program. There will also be a food booth operated by
the Cook-Orr High School Baseball Club.