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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAmidst the excitement and festivities, a deeper message resonates. It isn\u2019t just about showcasing shiny airplanes or thrilling aerial displays. It\u2019s about inviting the community to connect with the world of aviation that touches their lives in more ways than they realize. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe community is affected by aviation every day. [Aviation Day] is their opportunity to discover a manufacturer in town\u00a0that builds parts for Airbus and Gulfstream and [other] big names. Many have no idea that it\u2019s being built in Shelbyville right down the road,\u201d Perry explained. \u201cAll different types of people come through this airport \u2014 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.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perry\u2019s 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\u2019s $67 million flight school investment as a positive step forward, benefiting local retail, housing, and the economy and elevating Shelbyville\u2019s status as an aviation education hub. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI would not have started this process a few years ago with MTSU if I didn\u2019t think it was to the benefit of the city and county,\u201d Perry said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019ll find a covered greenspace area behind the terminal building with picnic tables perfect for observing runway activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re 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,\u201d Perry pointed out. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But not all areas, of course, are open to the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe 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 \u2014 if we have the time and the personnel available \u2014 we will escort people out to take photos and things of that nature out there,\u201d said Perry. \u201cSo we work with people and welcome people to come out and look at the airport. We\u2019ll give them as much information as we can.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your community airport\u2019s roots lie in the forward vision of Robert E. \u201cBob\u201d Bomar, who built and owned Bomar Field. Today, it\u2019s 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Perry said, \u201cThe airport is here thanks to a local gentleman\u2019s perspective back in the \u201840s. 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.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aviation Day highlights the continuation of the original vision for our community airport. It\u2019s a reminder that while the airport may be a familiar landmark, there\u2019s always more to discover and celebrate. Make a note on your 2025 calendar to check it out next year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":22439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22434","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/shelbyville\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2024\/06\/1-2-1024x683.png\")
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