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What's New at Richard B Russell Regional Airport

Airport publishes its first Annual Report
Richard B. Russell Regional Airport announces the publication of its first annual report, which is now available for distribution at the airport and can be seen online.The report highlights events and improvments at the Floyd County owned facility.

Taking the charge “Government Designed with the Citizen in Mind,” Floyd County has begun in earnest to communicate more effectively with the citizens of Rome and Floyd County.  The 2008 Airport Annual Report is one prong of that effort.

"The Airport’s 2008 Annual Report is a reflection of the positive work that is going on everyday at the airport," said Airport Manager Mike Mathews. " It is a report card to the community of Rome and Floyd County which I am proud to share."

To view the electronic version of the report, please click here.

Coosa Valley Technical College Aviation Facility Opens Doors with Ribbon Cutting

Text courtesy of CVTC web site
State and local officials, legislators, members of the aviation industry, and many others convened at the Richard B. Russell Regional Airport/J.H. Towers Field to view the newest addition to the airport, the Coosa Valley Technical College Aviation Training Center.

Guests were welcomed by Bob Berry, Chair, Coosa Valley Technical College’s Board of Directors. Speakers included Thom Holt, Airport Commission; Dr. Craig McDaniel, President, Coosa Valley Technical College; Jerry Jennings, Chairman, Floyd County Board of Commissioners; Wayne Vick, Chairman, Airport Commission; Randy Quick, Chair of the Board of Directors, Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce; Katie Dempsey, Representative, Georgia House District 13; and Jon Byrd, Aviation Programs Director, Coosa Valley Technical College.

Floyd County and Coosa Valley Technical College (CVTC) were happy to show off the state of the art facility that is approximately 30,744 square feet with five classrooms and eight labs for both Aviation Maintenance Technology and Avionics Maintenance Technology. The training center includes a large airframe lab, powerplant lab, five additional Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) curriculum labs, and a technical library/reference lab. It will also house a written testing center for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and National Center for Aircraft Technical Training (NCATT) certifications and licensure.

“CVTC’s Aviation Training Center will bring jobs to Rome and Floyd County,” stated McDaniel. “This is a good day not only for Coosa Valley Technical College, but for all of northwest Georgia.”

Jennings told the group about the steps in the development of the Aviation Training Center- vision, funding, building, teaching the program, and reaping the benefits. “This is truly the celebration of a partnership,” Jennings said. “We are looking forward to the programs being up and running and for the benefits to the community.”

Pending accreditation by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and FAA approval and certification, CVTC plans to begin the inaugural Aviation Maintenance Technology class on September 30, 2008, and the Avionics Maintenance Technology classes are tentatively scheduled to launch in January 2009.

Runway Paint Project Completed

Russel Regional Airport has recently completed the repainting of the lines on the runway to improve visibility for aircraft landing at the air field. The $80,000 project was completed by Hi-Lite Markings, Inc. in 7 days. A complete refurbishment of all the proper markings required by the FAA for an ILS (Instrument Landing System), runway and its taxiways, are visible for day and night use.  As required by the FAA, glass beads have been added for excellent reflective exposure at night.

Fun and Informative Field Trips

The Civil Air Patrol and the TigerFlight Foundation host field trips for local elementary, middle and high schools. These field trips are designed to educate students about aviation.

Working by modules, the students learn about the administrative side of running a Fixed Base Operater (FBO) by touring the terminal building and learning about the operations of an airport. The FBO is the business on the airport that services the planes and the customer. They are in charge of fuel sales, fuel tanks, trucks, hangar rental, etc. Some airports have several FBO’s depending on how busy they are.

Students then gather in the Civil Air Patrol briefing room where they are taught the anatomy of a plane, basic avionics and what makes a good pilot. In the final module, the students tour a World War II hangar and sit in an airplane allowing them to have a hands-on experience while seeing first hand the anatomy of a plane.

Finally, students sit under the wing of a DC-3 plane to eat lunch while learning about its significance in World War II.

For more information on field trips to Russell Regional Airport, call 706-295-7835.

EAA Fly-In Breakfast

On the second Saturday of each month, the Experimental Aircraft Association hosts a fly-in breakfast at the EAA campgrounds located off the Old Dalton Road. Anyone is welcome to come and enjoy pancakes and eggs (among other great breakfast foods) and good company for a reasonable fee. Bring a friend and enjoy the fun!

For more information on EAA, click here.