The Pender County commissioners and Matt Livingston, the town manager in Wallace, are raising public awareness.
“A lot of people don’t know we have an airport,” said Livingston.
We do. It’s named Henderson Field Airport and the call letters are ACZ.
It’s located just minutes from Interstate 40. It’s a 15 minute drive from Burgaw and a 35 minute drive from Wilmington. Located just off State Route 11, off Wallace’s Main Street, Henderson Field Airport is poised for expansion.
“We see potential,” said Livingston.
And more importantly, he points out, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) sees the potential of Henderson Field.
The airport was allocated $5.3 million through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
With state and federal funding, and a small percentage of investment from Wallace and Pender County, the airport has taken the first steps in a runway extension and terminal designs.
“We currently have a 4,200 foot runway,” said Livingston.
The NCDOT Division of Aviation evaluated the state’s 72 publicly-owned airports. Because North Carolina’s growth is greater than the national average, the North Carolina Airports System Plan was developed to ensure the state’s intermodal system was keeping pace. Its goals focused upon safety, the health of the airport’s infrastructure, and mobility.
For Henderson Field, it means the runway will be extended to 5,000 feet in the first phase, with designs which could extend the runaway up to 6,000 feet.
Livingston and Sam Cook, the airport manager, see bright skies for Henderson Field.
Currently the airport is home to 25 private and corporate aircraft. Mechanics for craft maintenance are based at the field as well as classes for pilot training.
“Pilots love us,” said Cook. “We’re a good stop for pilots who need rest and refueling.”
Henderson Field sells approximately 22,000 gallons of fuel annually.
Occasionally turbulent weather will cause a pilot to land un-expectantly. When that happens, pilot and passengers find a kitchen, restrooms, computers for weather service, and comfortable sofas to relax.
“We’re open 24/7,” said Cook.
Cook said when forest fires occur, such as in 2011 when flames edged toward Hampstead, the US Forestry Service uses the airport quite a bit.
The airport generates local funds, approximately $59,000 in local taxes. It provides 20 jobs. According to DOA, airports have a significant economic impact on a region.
Statewide the airport system provides more than 108,500 jobs. Airports contributed an estimated $25.9 billion to the state’s economic health, according to 2012 data.
And that could soar with the implementation of the state’s airports system plan.
“We will become the primary reliever airport for ILM,” said Livingston.
The airport will serve as a regional hub for industry.
“We believe there’s opportunity for an industrial park,” said Livingston.
The “Master Plan” is underway. Designs have been drawn for the relocation of an entrance to the airport, as well as the extension of the runway, and for a new terminal area.
The plans are designed for growth over a series of up to 20 years. Construction of the roadway and runway could begin in the spring of 2018.
With an airport, Interstate 40, and our waterways, Pender County is easily accessible. Location, location, location – just another reason why Pender County has its advantages.
