Airports In Action: Mount Vernon, IL Outland Airport Is Valuable Community Resource

By Carmelo Turdo

Mount Vernon, IL Outland Airport, a regular destination of The Aero Experience team, continues to effectively serve the central Illinois region as a valuable aviation and economic community resource.  Host to aviation businesses, private and business aircraft and numerous annual community and regional events, the airport has been recognized in recent years - 2015 Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Aeronautics Airport of the Year and 2014 Illinois Governor's Hometown Award for the combined Jefferson County Hall of Honor, Colonel R.D. White Veterans Museum and Jefferson County Heroes Memorial all located on site.           

 

 

Mount Vernon Outland Airport provides a significant economic contribution to the community, Jefferson County and the central Illinois region.  The airport is home to over 50 aircraft, supports over 25,000 annual aircraft operations and sells over 100,000 gallons of aviation and jet fuel per year.  SRT Aviation is the field's fixed base operator, and other businesses provide flight training, aircraft sales, and other expected support services.  Air Evac Life Team has stationed several helicopters at their station on their airport site since 2000, and the airport's fire department is equipped with modern response and rescue equipment.  Kash Helicopter provides aerial applications services with Bell Jet Rangers for farmers in the area.  Evans Aviation is the National Sales Manager for Jabiru USA Light Sport Aircraft.     

 

 










Mount Vernon Outland Airport's economic impact is another important measurement of the airport contribution to the community and the region.  According to the Illinois Department of Transportation 2012 Illinois Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, Mount Vernon Outland Airport supports a total of 149 jobs, a total payroll of $4.9 million and a total economic impact of $18.9 million.  According to the airport, on site jobs number 83, and there is an $11 million direct economic impact.  The proactive airport leadership has proposed Momentum 2020, the airport improvement and expansion plan that will economically provide for needed infrastructure improvements to meet the growing demands placed on the airport. 

The Aero Experience has reported on various events at the airport in recent years, including:

Illinois National Guard deployment flights:

 

National Ercoupe Convention:

 

Plane and Pilot Midwest Light Sport Aircraft Expo:

 

Air Venture Cup Race just prior to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh:

 

Balloons Over Mount Vernon 2016 Honors Vietnam Veterans:

 

The Aero Experience thanks Mount Vernon Outland Airport Manager Chris Collins, his staff and airport businesses for their hospitality and their support for Midwest Aviation.  

(Photos in this story were contributed by The Aero Experience team over a period of several years and can be found in previously released stories).