Don Myers and Gerald Beebe, new co-managers of Excelsior Springs Airport, see a bright future for what airplane enthusiasts call 3EX.
That’s the airport’s official designation.
Myers and Beebe prefer to call it “the new 3EX,” and even have a Facebook page with that name.
The idea is that the airport, in recent years underused and the target of some criticism, is headed in a new direction with Myers and Beebe pointing the way.
Probably the most noticeable thing to happen already is a new runway, which like everything else in the flying universe has a code name.
There’s only one runway at the facility, but it’s designated 21.
21’s a beauty and is highly visible to planes approaching from the north.
The runway was rebuilt, starting with the base, and paved, largely at the expense of the Missouri Department of Transportation. The city paid 10 percent of the project’s cost, just under $55,000, while MoDOT picked up 90 percent of the $550,000 total. For its investment, the city received a smooth new landing surface and incentive to pursue other improvements.
Myers, Beebe, airport board members and several representatives of Excelsior Springs City Council on April 16 were part of a well-attended chamber of commerce ribbon cutting for the airport, as well as a fly-in and pancake breakfast.
Around 50 people joined new Excelsior Mayor Brad Eales and Mayor Pro Tem Sharon Powell, as well as city councilwoman Sonya Morgan and City Manager Dave Haugland. Haugland said a few words before the ribbon was cut, as did outgoing chamber of commerce director Courtney Cole.
Inside one of the hangars, Northwest Missouri Chapter Antique Aircraft Association President Bruce Bellemore worked the griddle for pancakes and sausage, while other volunteers helped serve.
The pancakes must’ve been good because both the batter and cooked ‘cakes were all gone shortly after the ribbon cutting was over.
Also attended was Major Kevin Oliver, the commander of the Civil Air Patrol’s Missouri Wing, Group 1, which covers Kansas City and all of northwest Missouri.
To read more, please see the Friday, April 22 edition of the Excelsior Springs Standard