The Collegedale Municipal Airport has been named the state airport of the year.
Each year the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to aviation in Tennessee by presenting five Awards of Excellence.
This year’s awards were presented at the 18th annual Tennessee Airports Conference in Nashville during a banquet Thursday, August 21.
To receive an award, the individual, organization or airport must have set an example for others through leadership, dedication, persistence and an overall commitment to excellence.
The 2003 winners are as follows:
Airport of the Year—Collegedale Municipal Airport
The Collegedale Municipal Airport in Hamilton County began as a flying club in 1964. It was originally a 1,200-foot grass strip on a farm. The airport was expanded in several phases to eventually include a 4,700-foot paved runway, more than a dozen hangars, and a new terminal with a restaurant space.
Most improved Airport—Millington Municipal Airport
The Millington Municipal Airport in Shelby County won the Most Improved Airport Award based on the fact that the facility now complies with all FAA standards. They have installed a High Intensity Runway Lighting System. They have built a new three-thousand-foot terminal building and have received the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Front Door Award recognizing the airport’s “facilities and services that reflect community pride and commitment to quality” two years in a row.
Governing Body of the Year—Scott County Municipal Airport
The Scott County Municipal Airport was chosen because of efforts made to make it a better tool for industrial recruitment. The appearance of the facility has been improved and the overall operational safety of the airport has been enhanced.
They have secured local funding for many of those improvements while stretching other available funding for use in acquiring property for expansion of the airport’s terminal.
Airport Manager of the year—Mark Cobb
Mark Cobb has served as the manager of the Fayetteville Airport since 1996. Cobb holds an A/P and Al certificate and is a FAA designated mechanical examiner. He is a second-generation airport manager and both of his parents were pilots. The Aviation Awards committee believes that because of Cobb’s management, the airport has the best overall appearance and services.
Career Contributions to Aviation—Larry D. Cox
Larry Cox is a native of Nashville, but has lived in Memphis since 1953. He attended the University of Memphis and earned BBA and MBA degrees. He served three years on active duty in the Air Force as a Transportation Officer. Cox is a general aviation pilot and holds a commercial license. Some of his vast career accomplishments include holding several management positions in aviation. He also earned the designation of Accredited Airport Executive and is active in several trade associations. He has served on the Board of the Memphis Area Chamber of Commerce, the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Mid-South Minority Business Council and the Memphis Uniport Association.
He also received the Kitty Hawk Award from the Federal Aviation Administration in 1996, a well as a number of other prestigious awards.
Members of the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission choose the recipients of the Aviation Awards of Excellence each year.