Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”
Before I get to the Airport Advisory Board Meeting, there is some airport history we should all know. Most of the information came from Dan Netcher, the Airport Advisory and the Jet Center.
Dan Netcher put articles in the Ely Times on April 1 and on May 13, 2011. “The headlines in the White Pine News on July 6, 1913. This marks the first time that aircraft flew in Ely and only the second time aircraft flew in the State of Nevada.”
Frank H. Burnside was the pilot of the first plane and there was debate as to if the plane could take off because of the 6000 ft. elevation. The plane landed on Eleventh Street and Avenue D.
The early history of the airport in the 20’s and 30’s have been hard to establish , but early records include 1926 flights of Carl Ooley. At that time regulations were simple, “Never leave the ground with a motor leaking” or “Pilots will not wear spurs while flying.”
In the mid 30’s Seagull Lines operated an air charter service. The dedication of the airport is reported to be in 1938.
Ely airport/Yelland Field was an important factor in the development of the strong Army and Naval Air Forces during WWII. The airport was expanded when President R. D. Roosevelt’s Civil Aeronautics Act (CAA) of 1938. This Act had colleges and universities train up to 20,000 pilots per year. Ely became a training facility in 1940. White Pine High School and anyone under 28 where able to apply. Eight students passed, two were women.
May 13, 1941, Sen. McCarran arranged $350,000 for runway improvements and lights.
The airport provided Young Eagle Flights free on Friday mornings for many years. I do not believe the Young Eagles exist in Ely for a few years.
Air service has come and gone over the years. Why? Cost, lack of passengers, or airport condition. I believe it is all of the above. The private owned airplanes stored at the airport have decreased to about 10 planes. Most of this decline is because of the age or medical conditions of the pilots.
White Pine County Airport Advisory Board – May 3, 2016
Steve Stork -”We are in talks with Elko (Marks Gibbs) to hire a consultant for $2,500. to secure a 135 type charter plane to fly between Las Vegas ,Ely, Elko and Reno twice a day. This will cost about $2,000,000 a year. Elko thinks there will be enough ridership to pay this amount. Lately I have received a revised cost of $6,500,000 which makes this inviolable. There are a number of unanswered questions out there. We maybe able to get a grant for one year. We are not sure we can sell tickets for $200.00 a piece.”
A call from the State Aviation wanting to know if we are willing to work on a program with NDOT. The State would work with White Pine County, could turn the airport over to the State. They would go through the FAA with Grant insurances. The Nevada Department of Transportation would take over the airport, be responsible for the grants and make the improvements needed. The airport would be reconveyed get back to the county with a maintenance plan. We don’t get anything for free out of this process, but hopefully this will get us back on the right track.
The company providing tow service for the gliders will not be able to provide the service this year. I will have to be a self launch only. One group out of LA are going to try to hire a plane and pilot on their own.
One runway to be closed due to deterioration of the taxi way. Water bearers with illumination will be placed across runway, until repairs can be made.
Steve Stork is to remain airport manager through this year, question need to be answered as to rules when he becomes County Commissioner.
All in all I see the Airport Advisory Board is looking at all possibilities for the airport. The airport is a valuable asset to the county and its growth.
Once again I encourage you to call the commissioners and give them your thoughts, they need it.
Laurie Carson 293-3134
Mike Coster 293-2933
Richard Howe 287-2851
Carol McKenzie 238-5384
Gary Perea. 293-7356
Geri Wop