Business View Magazine | April 2021

111 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE APRIL 2021 electric hydraulic gates. Edwards, who became the airport manager mid-way through the fence project, plans to work with Crusader going forward for gates maintenance. He notes, “They’re fantastic people. Every one of them that I’ve met has been just amazing to work with.” Other upcoming projects include a taxiway rehabilitation next year. While that’s happening, the airport will upgrade its lighting system from incandescent to more energy efficient light-emitting diode bulbs. Ramp rehabilitation will come after that and rehabilitation of Runways 25 & 7 is scheduled for two years from now. The upgrades will help Nevada County Airport remain a vital asset for the community. In addition to its transportation and fire suppression, the airport plays a role in aviation education. Alpine Aviation Inc., founded in 1990, offers aircraft charter, maintenance, management, and rental, as well as pilot flight training. A flight simulator was recently donated to the airport, providing new pilots with a cost-efficient way to NEVADA COUNTY A I RPORT accumulate instrument time. The Nevada County Airport is also a part of the national air transportation system. Pilots going through flight training at other airports will use the Nevada County Airport for mountain airport training. Aviation education outreach extends to the students at Lyman Gilmore Middle School. With the school’s namesake being an aviation pioneer, it’s only fitting that the local airport take a role in introducing students to the industry with flyovers and visits. “We’ve sponsored field trips up here where we get the local pilots to bring their airplanes out and the talk to the kids about the airplane and how it flies, the different parts and how the parts work, and all that fun stuff,” Edwards explains. Young people who are interested in learning to fly can apply for scholarships offered through the Golden Empire Flying Association and the local Experimental Aircraft Association. Money for those scholarships comes, in part, from the bi- annual air festival.