During a wind-swept ribbon cutting ceremony attended by 50+ business people, city representatives, and the staff of our own Vertical Vision Flight Academy, Perry Mayor Dirk Cavanaugh and Perry Airport Commission Chair Dr. Harlyn McGuire delivered remarks about the long-awaited project. Studies and impact assessments began at the airport in 2015 and land acquisition commenced in 2019.

Funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) covered approximately 90% of the overall cost and the city of Perry contributed the remaining 10%. The airport’s former 4,000 foot primary paved runway, parallel to the new runway 14/32, was converted into use as a taxiway, which immediately allows more comfortable arrivals and departures for small commercial jets and turbine aircraft.

How Does This Benefit Vertical Vision’s Flight Students?

The 4,000 foot runway was more than adequate as a training environment but a longer runway is always a better, safer option before, during, and after training. 5,500 feet of runway allows for touch-and-go landings rather than full-stop and taxi back landings that can cut your training’s efficiency in half (or worse). More landings in 1 hour of training time is always going to allow you to become, and remain, a proficient and safe pilot. Let’s not forget how much money it saves our students!

The new runway is also 100 feet wide! Going from 4,000 feet long and 75 feet wide to 5,500 feet long and 100 feet wide is a HUGE upgrade and also increases our students’ margin for error while they’re in the early phases of training when the centerline can be a bit more evasive upon touchdown. This is now a key point of interest to share with our incoming and in-progress students simply because it’s a bit of a luxury item where someone might least expect to find it.

Here’s a Fun Fact About the Runway’s Opening Day

A Vertical Vision trainer, Archer N312ES, piloted by our general manager and commercial pilot, Austin Dunn, and co-piloted by our CEO, Ed Stefan, was the first recorded takeoff from the new runway! It was a supreme honor to be the first touch-and-go on this new beauty and it will be the first of thousands into the future. As you can see below, it tried to rain on our parade a bit after the ribbon cutting was complete, but we made it just in time. You have to experience this for yourself! Call, text, or use our Contact Form if you want to have a conversation about how to get started!