Henderson, Ky. – After a several‑year pause, the Henderson City‑County Airport welcomed the public back to its ramp for a free Aviation Day on Saturday. The event ran from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the airport’s 2154 Highway 136 West location, with no admission or parking fees.
Airport’s New Runway Enables Annual Celebration
Airport Manager Emily Herron explained that the aviation showcase had been an annual tradition before construction projects, including a six‑month runway extension, forced a temporary shutdown. “We’ve not held it for several years,” Herron said. “We’ve just extended our runway… and now we’re excited to have this event come back to the airport and plan to make it an annual event.”
Helicopters, Vintage Planes and Community Education
Among the highlights was an Air Evac Lifeteam 46 helicopter that flew in from Evansville, giving visitors a chance to learn about the life‑flight service it provides to the region. A Vietnam‑era Huey helicopter also stood on display, offering a tangible piece of aviation history. Pilots and aircraft owners were on hand to answer questions and share stories about their machines.
“We have a life flight helicopter here from Evansville, so people can learn about what that does for the community and how that’s a service,” Herron said. “And then we have a vintage helicopter, a Huey that’s here from kind of a Vietnam era helicopter.”
Short Scenic Flights for Residents
Don Davis Aviation, the airport’s fixed‑base operator, sold same‑day tickets for short scenic flights over Henderson. “Don Davis Aviation is providing flights today… tickets are purchased on site and they’re just short little flights, but it’s a way to get people up in the air,” Herron noted. “It’s a totally different feeling when you see your community from the air than what you’re used to on the ground.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Aviators
The event also aimed to spark interest in aviation careers. Herron shared her personal passion for educating the public about the many pathways the industry offers. “Some people might want to learn to become a pilot, and that’s something they can do for fun… but a lot of people also want to go into aviation as a career, and there’s a ton of different careers in aviation,” she said.
Local Partners and Food Trucks
Exhibitors included representatives from Evansville Regional Airport, Owensboro‑Daviess County Regional Airport, the Civil Air Patrol’s Owensboro Squadron, and the Henderson County Public Library. Food trucks lined the ramp, providing snacks and meals for families enjoying the day.
Henderson Aviation Day marked a hopeful return to community‑focused events at the airport, reinforcing the role of local infrastructure projects—like the newly extended runway—in supporting both recreation and education for families across the region.
Original reporting: 14 News WFIE Evansville (news) — read the source article.
