Centre-Piedmont-Cherokee County Regional Airport

Flying High Over Cherokee County

The history of the CCPC Regional Airport is a testament to the determination of visionaries who knew it would be tantamount to the growth of the area.

The airport opened in 2006, becoming the first federally funded Alabama airport since 1992. The growth of Alabama municipal airports had been stagnant for 15 years.

Early on, individuals from Piedmont and Centre had the same dream. Each city wanted to bring aviation traffic and airport facilities to the area. The existing Centre airport was unable to expand due to land locks and construction encroachments. Piedmont was on tap for an airport, but lack of funding and suitable sites kept the project from moving forward.

With the determination and insight of the leadership of the two cities and Cherokee County, the planning moved feasibility into place. In 2000, the Centre-Piedmont-Cherokee County Regional Airport Authority was incorporated, uniting the three groups. It was decided that each entity have two representatives that would serve on the board of the authority. Meeting monthly, the board would be comprised

Father and son piloting team, Wendell and Michael Pruitt

of six members and one chairman. The mayors and city councils would nominate two board members each, with the chairman chosen at large.

James Beall, one of the authority’s founders, believed that aviation facilities are an economic catalyst to any area. “Having an airport is the key requirement for the recruitment of new industry.”

The Alabama Department of Transportation was impressed with the new airport authority, stating that “They collectively were able to accomplish what would have been very difficult for them individually.”

The Centre-Piedmont-Cherokee County Regional Airport Authority had a realistic proposal together. The terrain of available land was ideal. Without encumbrances, the 300 plus acres of pilot-friendly farmland was purchased. Funding appropriated from federal, state and local sponsors brought

the project from a dream to reality and a model of how a group can work together to achieve a project of this magnitude and importance.

The airport features a 5,500 foot-long runway with the optimum length recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration for regional general aviation airports. Both Runway 7 and 25 have RAV GPS approaches with medium intensity edge lighting. Dual connecting taxiways were constructed at each runway with threshold functional turnarounds. An airport parking apron is accessible to Alabama Highway 9 via an entrance road, and the entire facility is encircled by the perimeter’s security fence.

Wendell Pruit takes advantage of CCPC’s fueling station.

Since completion, there has been much enhancement to the facility. Today, it is a Fixed-Base Operation (FBO) which means it can provide aeronautical services such as fueling, hangar occupation, tie-down, and parking. Other services may also be available wi th the FBO certification such as aircraft rental, aircraft maintenance, flight instruction and similar services.

Along with the aesthetic appeal of its grounds, a new 10-bay T-hanger with bi-folding doors is complete and currently fully occupied. This addition was coupled with the completion of a fuel facility where pilots and owners find aviation gas available 24/7, conveniently purchasable by credit c ard.

Current board chair, Lee Hubbard, says that the airport was built on the forethought of others. “In making this airport reality when the authority came together, they did a tremendous service for our communities. It is our job to continue to be judicious, but open to smart opportunities.”

Most of the authority members are pilots themselves, some owning or sharing ownership in aircrafts. Lee has e njoyed flying since childhood, as have others on the board.

General Manager of the airport, Donnie Free, says that flying and learning to fly attracts people from all occupations and ages. He believes that aviation offers an appropriate discipline and a wonderful life lesson for young people.

The Centre-Piedmont-Cherokee County Airport is accessible to all the southeastern United States in a day’s trip. It allows business and industry travelers quick access for meetings, conferences, and pleasure, not to mention family trips and fun getaways. Such availability makes short work of otherwise tedious schedules and delays. Centrally located, the airport is ready to serve companies and individual investors ready to expand into a welcoming environment.

With a bird’s eye view, the entire area is well worth a visit where the Centre-Piedmont-Cherokee County Regional Airport stands ready to land an unbeatable lifestyle.

In Memoriam

The Honorable Jeffery “Kirk” Day was a lifelong resident of Cherokee County and an active participant in government and civic organizations. In 2004 he was appointed by Alabama Governor Bob Riley to complete an expired term of Probate Judge in Cherokee County. He was elected to the position in 2012. He served as the chairman of the Cherokee County Commission, and sat on the board of

CPCC Regional Airport until the time of his passing. A graduate of West Point, Judge Day based his leadership off of their values of “Duty, Honor and Country.” He believed that serving others was an honor and a sacred trust. Kirk Day 1971 - 2017

CPCC Regional Airport Authority

P.O. Box 466 Centre, AL 35960 256-927-8008