Rutherford County Airport Tackles Longstanding Safety Concerns

Rutherford County’s Marchman Field continues to face longstanding safety concerns, according to officials, even more than two decades after the Sept. 11 attacks reshaped airport security across the country. At the Sept. 8 meeting of the Airport Authority, Airport Manager Devon Raisch described an ongoing fencing issue as a “safety issue we’ve had for years,” underscoring the need for federal-standard improvements at the local airport.

During the session, the board approved a private hangar lease, advanced a $1.1 million fencing project to fully enclose the airport, and discussed planning for electric aircraft as part of a broader push to prepare Rutherford County for future aviation trends.

Financial Overview and Airport Operations

Raisch opened the meeting with the airport’s financial report, noting that overall expenses are stable, but maintenance costs for equipment, particularly air filters, are slightly higher than last year. He highlighted that the airport receives a combination of state and federal grants, including Airport Infrastructure Grants (AIG) totaling nearly $290,000 annually, which support operations that extend beyond local service areas.

Fuel sales have increased compared with last year, Raisch reported, and jet traffic is on the rise. More corporate and charter flights are using the airport, alongside traffic related to the county’s equestrian center. “We’ve seen about 1,400 more gallons of fuel sold just last July compared with the previous year,” Raisch said.

Electric Aircraft and Future Planning

The board also heard from Brent Lane, an economic development researcher with Ohio University, who presented findings on “advanced air mobility,” including the potential for electric aircraft at general aviation airports. Lane stressed that installing three-phase power is essential for accommodating electric planes in the future, estimating upgrades could cost roughly $350,000. He suggested that utilities like Duke Energy could partner on funding as part of economic development initiatives.

Hangar Lease and Facility Growth

A private hangar lease for W. Berry Jenkins, relocating from Florida, was unanimously approved. Jenkins’ company, Alpha Island Time Holding LLC, will lease county-owned land for 35 years with a five-year extension option. Raisch noted that hangar space is limited and that the new facility will be taxed as property, along with the aircraft housed inside.

Fencing Project and Safety Concerns

The board also moved forward with a long-planned fencing project designed to enclose Marchman Field completely. Consultant Greg Kershaw explained that the $1.1 million project is funded by AIG grants but requires final FAA approval. Raisch emphasized that completing the fencing will address a gap that has posed safety concerns for years. “Our fence does not fully surround the airport property, and this project will finally enclose it, which also checks the box on the safety issue that we’ve had for years,” he said.

Broader Implications

While local in scope, several speakers tied the airport’s developments to wider regional and national considerations. Lane noted that general aviation airports like Marchman Field play a crucial role in emergency response and medical flights, particularly during disasters such as hurricanes and regional flooding events.

The meeting also came a little more than a year after a July 2024 plane crash on approach to Marchman Field killed three people. First responders and preliminary FAA reports indicated the plane was missing for nearly twelve hours, highlighting the airport’s importance in coordinating safety and emergency measures.

Authority members, who also serve as county commissioners, acknowledged the dual pressures of meeting federal safety standards while preparing the county for future growth in aviation. One commissioner noted that while electric aviation is still emerging, current infrastructure upgrades are essential to ensure the airport can meet both today’s and tomorrow’s needs.