Our airport is located about four miles east of Chillicothe on Highway 36 on the north side of the road.

Consisting of 272 acres with a paved runway of 3900'x75' and a grass runway of 3614'x110', Chillicothe's airport is located three miles east of Chillicothe's city limits on Highway 36.

The city was awarded a $150,000 grant to improve its airport facility in March of 2002. The announcement was made by U.S. Transportation Secretary, Norman Y. Mineta. The funds will be used for engineering services, survey work, and property acquisition in a runway improvement project.

In September, 2003, the city was notified it will receive another $150,000 in federal entitlement funds to assist with expanding the runway. This grant, just like the first two, will be met with a 10% city match. It is anticipated that the city will receive additional government funding through the various phases of the project. Currently, the city is awaiting approval of the environmental assessment it completed and submitted to the Missouri Department of Transportation. Once approved, the city will move ahead on property acquisition.

The city plans to pave a 5,000-foot crosswind runway to expand its accessibility by a variety of aircraft, including jets. The runway project, expected to cost in the vicinity of $3.5 million, is at least a five-year plan. The new runway will run north, northeast to south, southwest, allowing planes to land from any of the four directions and will allow for safer landings in various weather conditions. Construction of the new runway has been tentatively scheduled for the 2006 calendar of the Missouri Department of Transportation.

Fly-in Attracts Crowd (08/24/09)

Jet Replaced at Airport's Entrance (07/02/09)

Runway Land Hoped to be Purchased (03/25/09)

Aircraft Removed for Major Renovations (07 08 08)

Air Charter Service

In addition to our upgrade, the airport is also home to an air-charter service offering non-stop direct flights into small and large airports within a 700-mile radius of Chillicothe. Saber Air of Missouri opened for business in the summer of 2002 with new ownership taking over in February, 2004. Ray Blakely of Chillicothe purchased the service and a Piper Seneca II twin airplane from Bill Roth of Breckenridge. Captain Phil Griffith is general manager and chief pilot for the business. Griffith is a lifelong resident of Dawn and most recently was employed by Vanguard Airlines. The aircraft is equipped to fly day or night in all weather conditions. The plane has five passenger seats and storage.

Experimental Aircraft Association

In the summer of 2002, 24 small airplanes buzzed the area as they participated in the third annual fly-in of the Experimental Aircraft Association. The main activities for the special event were providing rides for children ages 8-18 at no cost and also adult rides for a nominal fee. The purpose is to get children interested in aviation. The pilots gave 85 rides this year.

The community event included cooking breakfast for the pilots, a shuttle ride into town, and eagle rides all day. Pilots volunteer their time not only for the rides, but to also teach children about planes and flying.

Richard L. West Terminal Building

On Saturday, January 12, 2002, a ceremony dedicated the airport terminal as the "Richard L. West Terminal Building." Dick West is a legendary fighter ace from the Pacific Theater during World War II, where he shot down 14 confirmed Japanese aircraft. West was also credited with three "probable" victories over Japanese aircraft, making him the first ace of the 35th Fighter Squadron. West went on to become a "double ace" and was only one shoot-down shy of becoming a "triple ace." West also authored a book of poetry now in its third printing.

Airport board member, Fred Simmer, referred to West's 175 combat missions and the fact that, amazingly, West encountered enemy aircraft on only eight of those 175 missions. All told, West was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (the second highest award in the military - the only award higher than the Distinguished Service Cross is the Congressional Medal of Honor), the Silver Star, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, eight air medals, and two presidential citations.

Missouri Senator David Klindt and Rep. John Quinn also spoke at the ceremony. U.S. Army Col. George Seek was also present, representing Maj. Gen. John Clarke, the commander of the U.S. Army's 5th Army, based in San Antonio, Texas.

West's daughter, Lynda West, a professor at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., gave a speech in honor of her father. "Chillicothe was always in my father's heart, whether he was in the South Pacific in an airplane fighting a war, working here, or living out his golden years. I remember asking him as a young child why we lived in Chillicothe. His answer was 'One day after a rough battle, I promised God that if I survived the war, I would come back and never leave again, I knew then this is where I belonged.' If I didn't understand his answer then, I certainly do today. Dad, you've always been my hero. Today, you are everyone's hero."

The Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 944 of Chillicothe made West an honorary lifetime member of the chapter. West's wife, Norma, thanked the 200 people who attended and thanked the speechmakers. West was presented with a plaque inscribed with the same words that are on the bronze plaque at the entrance to the airport terminal building. The framed replica plaque given to West was donated by Lauhoff Jewelry and the Chillicothe Elks Lodge. Dick grew up on a farm near Chula, Missouri. He was called the "Samson of the Pacific" because he vowed that he would not get his hair cut until he shot down his first Japanese aircraft. He is truly a member of the greatest generation.

Special thanks to the Chillicothe Constitution Tribune for the story and two photos.

We have many other services available at the airport, including our own gas truck, airplane storage, and state-of-the-art navigation. Fueling is available after hours by calling the number posted on the terminal building. Pilots in the area use our airport extensively. The larger airport is an asset to the citizens of our community, businesses, and a significant economic development tool.

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Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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