THE RUMBLE of a warbird engine vibrates your stomach as the gleaming restored aircraft taxis past the crowd. Kids press against the fence, eyes wide with excitement, as adults lift phones to snap photos. Others wait for their turn to tour or ride the iconic DC-3 they see stationed so often at the Shelbyville Municipal Airport. In another area, drones and remote-controlled planes capture the attention of visitors — especially the smaller ones. Exhibits scattered throughout the area inform and educate. Shade-tree mechanics lean into some planes’ open hoods for an up-close look, mesmerized by the sights and sounds.
Shelbyville’s airport comes alive each April when the community turns out for Aviation Day. Visitors see their local airport’s sights, sounds, and impact firsthand. A sensory experience greets them as they wander through the event.
For many, the airport is more than a place where planes take off and land. It’s part mystery, part memory. Even if you’ve never set foot on the property, you likely awoke on long road trips home just in time to see the beacon light sweep across the night sky. You knew, then, you were close to home and a night sleeping in your own bed. But even if that’s as close as you can connect to Shelbyville’s airport, it’s connected to you in a greater way. It’s where dreams take off, and our local economy sustains growth and stability, enabling and improving our quality of life.
“This is your community airport,” expressed Paul Perry, the airport’s director. “It’s for everybody. It doesn’t just support the city or the county. It supports the entire region.”
Amidst the excitement and festivities, a deeper message resonates. It isn’t just about showcasing shiny airplanes or thrilling aerial displays. It’s about inviting the community to connect with the world of aviation that touches their lives in more ways than they realize.
“The community is affected by aviation every day. [Aviation Day] is their opportunity to discover a manufacturer in town that builds parts for Airbus and Gulfstream and [other] big names. Many have no idea that it’s being built in Shelbyville right down the road,” Perry explained. “All different types of people come through this airport — everybody from the recreational flyer to the business person. We might not realize that the doctor we met with yesterday could come to his office in Shelbyville because he flew in from Nashville to be there.”
Perry’s passion for the airport and its role in the community shines through as he talks about the future, including the partnership with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). He sees MTSU’s $67 million flight school investment as a positive step forward, benefiting local retail, housing, and the economy and elevating Shelbyville’s status as an aviation education hub.
“I would not have started this process a few years ago with MTSU if I didn’t think it was to the benefit of the city and county,” Perry said.
The community is always welcome at the airport, and the invitation extends beyond Aviation Day. The public is welcome to visit and observe the airport in action. You’ll find a covered greenspace area behind the terminal building with picnic tables perfect for observing runway activities.
“We’re working on a future grant to remodel the second story of our terminal building. Part of that is an observation deck sticking out off the back of the building so that you can have an elevated view to see the entire runway, just to sit and watch,” Perry pointed out.
But not all areas, of course, are open to the public.
“We have controlled areas that we request nobody go past for safety reasons. When the big, shiny DC-3 that everybody sees from the road is here — if we have the time and the personnel available — we will escort people out to take photos and things of that nature out there,” said Perry. “So we work with people and welcome people to come out and look at the airport. We’ll give them as much information as we can.”
Your community airport’s roots lie in the forward vision of Robert E. “Bob” Bomar, who built and owned Bomar Field. Today, it’s the Shelbyville Municipal Airport. His commitment to aviation prompted his appointment as chairman of the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission from 1953 to 1968, during which 50 airports were constructed throughout the state.
Perry said, “The airport is here thanks to a local gentleman’s perspective back in the ‘40s. He knew the importance of aviation to his community and this county and wanted to do something to support it. So, instead of going to the airlines, he built an airport and continued expanding it, just because he knew that aviation was going to be a big deal.”
Aviation Day highlights the continuation of the original vision for our community airport. It’s a reminder that while the airport may be a familiar landmark, there’s always more to discover and celebrate. Make a note on your 2025 calendar to check it out next year.
At the close of Aviation Day, many visitors leave with a newfound appreciation for their community airport and the vibrant aviation culture that thrives within its gates. And, as they drive home, guided by the familiar glow of the beacon light, they carry a broader understanding of the ways and places the airport touches their lives. Now, the glow of the beacon is a symbol of pride and a welcome to home, soaring high in the Tennessee sky. GN
