The Whiteside County Airport will be recognized as the 2016 Illinois General Aviation Airport of the Year at a state conference in May.
The award is based on four criteria determined by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics: cooperation and coordination with the state office and with the Federal Aviation Administration; the facility’s safety record; service provided to the local community; and general maintenance of the facility.
“I want to give tremendous credit to the staff and administration along with the Whiteside County Airport Board and the community for their support,” said Michael Dowell, airport manager.
Several awards are given each year in various categories of airport size and services.
Whiteside County Airport was recognized in the 5,500-feet-runway-or-more category.
In the past, the airport has played host to several community events, such as the Fly-In/Drive-in breakfast, Sports Club Car of America rallies, and Boy Scout Camporees.
“Congratulations to you and the staff for efforts in making Whiteside County Airport one of the most outstanding examples of aviation excellence in Illinois,” Steven Young, interim director of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Aeronautics, said in a letter to Dowell. “We appreciate all of your hard work.”
The award will be presented at a special ceremony May 5 at the Illinois Aviation Conference in Murphysboro.