Business View Magazine l October 2022

205 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 10 As one of the oldest continuously-operated airports in Maryland, HGR has a long history of employing mechanics and technicians to construct, maintain, repair, and modify aircraft of many types. Hagerstown has a growing museum celebrating that impressive history. It’s also home to a branch of the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics (PIA), which trains new generations of aircraft mechanics – now an increasingly scarce resource. “You know the demand for those services has just exploded with the retirement of many professionals in the industry,” says Eshleman, “whether it’s pilots or the mechanics. We have the only certified maintenance school (PIA) in the State of Maryland, and they’re looking to expand about 10,000 square feet and add an additional hangar. They were successful in receiving a $750,000 grant from the federal government that will allow them to be on the leading edge of workforce development.” The other big announcement is that the Hagerstown Aviation Museum has found a more permanent home to the north in several hangars of the former Fairchild Aircraft Manufacturing plant. Eshleman clarifies, “While that isn’t actually on the county airfield property, it is immediately adjacent with through gate access.” Community events are always good to bring people out to the airport, the largest of these is the annual Wings and Wheels car and airplane show which takes place during the last weekend of September on the museum property. The popular fly-in event features local vendors and displays and draws several thousand people each year. This year, Hagerstown Regional also hosted a Chamber of Commerce event which was a big success. In terms of continuing infrastructure work, next summer will see a taxiway rehabilitation project, as well as the acquisition of an extended runway visibility zone with a part of the land from the former Fairchild Aircraft property. “This will allow unrestricted access for both of our runways,” Eshleman explains. “Currently, when the tower closes the access to our crosswind runway closes. We’ve been working with the new ownership group of the former Fairchild property – New Heights Industrial – and just recently received approval to go forward with the acquisition.” Aside from these capital projects, the airport was fortunate to receive some discretionary money through the bipartisan infrastructure program to support its capital improvement program. The airport is also exploring competitive bipartisan infrastructure funds for a new traffic control tower. Partnering with the FAA, which runs the tower, the HRG team is eager to see what possible improvements could be made and how that might drive them forward in the coming years. 70 Mile fro DC! in Hagerstown & Washington County, MD ViewsAREYours Th Bes 301-791-3246 | VISITHAGERSTOWN.COM Annapoli Roc Museu o Fin At HAGERSTOWN REGIONAL A I RPORT