Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport

He points out that the airport has retained its Part 139 certification, adding, “Any type of charter commercial, if they ever wanted to come back, our airport is already certified. We’re good to go.” Moss underscores the proactive measures taken to ensure flexibility in welcoming potential commercial airlines. Noting the ability to service airlines on a 24-hour notice, he says “We can service just about anybody give or take. Maybe not the biggest of the biggest, but we’ll be able to accommodate most of the regionals.” Currently, the airport is involved in an obstruction removal project, aimed at clearing approach paths and enhancing the appeal to industries. “The goal is to remove trees that have grown up around our approach paths and our airport. We’re going in and we’re cutting them down, and we’re grinding them down all the way to the ground and we’re seeding and mulching back on top of it to keep our property owners happy around us, and to protect our approaches,” Moss details. He says the project In addition to the Jet A tank, the airport is collaborating with the Division of Aviation on a project to rehabilitate the ramp. “They’re going to fix some of the joints in between the concrete slabs, as well as some deteriorating concrete in front of hangars four and five, where it’s starting to deteriorate. As well as our runway, they’re going to do the black outline painting, to outline all of the white markings on the runway to make it stand out a lot better,” Moss describes. PREPARING FOR COMMERCIAL SERVICE While currently a general aviation (GA) airport, Moss reveals the airport’s readiness for potential commercial service.“We make sure that we’re in the best possible position to be able to accept them at any time that we possibly can,” he maintains. “This airport was purposely built in 1970 to be a commercial service airport. We lost airline service in 1999 due to a new law that stated 2 commercial service airports cannot be within 100 miles of each other.” 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 03

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