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Crossville Airport giving residents the chance to see the facility up-close Saturday, during a free open house.
The event will be offering a variety of airplane rides of varying intensity. You can also see numerous vintage aircraft on display. Crossville City Manager Greg Wood said the event typically attracts around five thousand visitors and helps promote the airport. Wood said that the event has been great for community relationships.
“It’s an annual event and we’re just trying to let everybody know that we have the airport and that it’s an important part of the community,” Wood said. “And just try and also give them a good family day out.”
Wood said the event will showcase the world’s oldest flying DC3, the Flagship Detroit. The event also features food, rides, and entertainment. The event runs Saturday from 9am to 3pm. Wood said that there will also be a fire truck and a magic show on display for children and adults.
Wood said the event showcases rides on family-friendly airplane rides for $25 per person. You can also see a T6 WWII/Korean Way-era fighter jet.
“That’s capable of about 300 miles per hour,” Wood said. “The rides on that are a little more expensive and are a little more adventurous-type, they’re $300 for just the basic ride, but it’s a one-time-in-a-life bucket list experience.”
Wood said that as many as 135 volunteers help put on the event, including city staff, pilots, and crew.
“Of course, we have to contact every aircraft well in advance,” Wood said. “As well as we have aircraft coming on the basis of we provide them with a hotel room, and a car and lunch and some gas and they come in just because they like to fly.”
Wood said that a recent economic impact report valued the Crossville airport at $11 million.
