Author: triflight

Blountville, Tenn. – Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) had a $233 million economic impact on the region and brought in more than 80,000 visitors in 2019, according to a report from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

The report shows the airport’s positive contribution to the region’s economy supported $80,617,000 in payroll and more than $109 million in visitor spending.

“We are honored to serve Northeast Tennessee and to be a catalyst for the economy,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) executive director. “Our service territory also covers Southwest Virginia, and portions of western North Carlina and eastern Kentucky. We know our economic impact is greater than what is shown in this study as we serve a larger region.”

TRI is home to 28 companies that employ more than 400 individuals who live throughout the region. These companies include federal organizations, local businesses, airlines, rental car companies, food and retail services, and other aviation-related businesses.

TDOT recently completed a year-long Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, finding Tennessee’s public-use airports contribute $40 billion to the state’s economy and support 220,936 jobs in Tennessee.

“A safe, secure, efficient, and resilient aviation system is essential to our state’s physical, economic, and social health,” said Michelle Frazier, director of TDOT’s Aeronautics Division. “This report recognizes aviation as a driver of the economy, including economic recovery.”

TRI is in TDOT’s Region 1 in East Tennessee. The geographical area covers 24 counties and is home to 15 of the state’s 78 airports.

Airports in Region 1 have almost 300 employees and are home to 80 businesses, which range from air transportation and aviation manufacturing to rescue, fire, and law enforcement. The on-airport businesses employ more than 4,000 people.

“Tennessee’s 78 public-use airports are critical components of the state’s transportation network, linking and providing access to regional, national, and global transportation systems,” said TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright.

TDOT said the study is a good representation of the annual economic impact of the aviation system during a non-pandemic period.

The study analyzed the economic impacts of on-airport activities, off-airport activities, multiplier impacts, and freight/cargo. Examples of on-airport activities include economic impacts from business tenants, airport construction spending, and airport employment. Off-airport impacts include visitor spending. Visitor spending generated 69,965 jobs and $9 billion in business revenue to the state in 2019. Analysis found that freight/cargo impacts generated 82,357 jobs and $19 billion in business revenue.

The Executive Summary may be found at www.tn.gov/tdot/aeronautics/tasp.html

Blountville, Tenn. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be hosting a “Pop-Up” PreCheck Enrollment event at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), December 7-11.

The temporary enrollment center will be open for interviews Monday through Friday from 8 AM-Noon and 1-5 PM. The enrollment center will be located just inside the main entrance of the terminal.

TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening program that allows passengers to not remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. According to TSA, 100% of TSA PreCheck-approved passengers waited less than five minutes in October 2020.

Individuals interested in TSA PreCheck, should submit an application online and schedule an appointment through https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/precheck. To complete the application process, individuals will need to bring documentation proving identity and citizenship status, such as a valid U.S. passport. The in-person appointment includes fingerprinting for a background check. The application fee for TSA PreCheck is $85 and can be paid by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. TSA PreCheck membership is good for five years.

The “Pop-Up” enrollment center will only be available at the airport during the dates and times listed.

Blountville, Tenn. – Community leaders were on site today at Tri-Cities Airport to officially launch the Aerospace Park site as ready for future vertical development.

Site construction is substantially complete with only finishing grading, final topsoil and seeding along with site access roadway construction to be completed by summer 2021. The majority of the site is build-ready and open for business even as the final construction will be coming to a close.

Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) staff continue to heavily promote the availability of the site to target industries. The completion of each phase of Aerospace Park development has offered additional promotional benefits and recognition for the site.

“Aerospace Park would not be in this final stage of development if it were not for the support of our funding partners,” said TCAA Chairman Dr. Jon Smith. “It has been an honor to be a part of the cities and counties coming together on this significant, regional economic development project.”

TCAA Executive Director Gene Cossey added his appreciation to the Aerospace Park funding partners. “The support from our community, state and federal partners has been very important to us,” said Cossey. “That support has enabled us to complete the site and have a great product to market within the aerospace industry.”

Once the site access roads, finished grading work, topsoil and seeding is complete in summer 2021, TCAA will seek certification of the 160-acre site through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Select Tennessee Site program.

Site completion and certification will bolster Aerospace Park marketing efforts, according to Mark Canty, TCAA Director of Business Development. “Expanding the footprint of the current certified acreage of Aerospace Park will allow us to more effectively promote the site, compete for large projects, and increase our ability to bring quality jobs to Northeast Tennessee,” said Canty.

The TCAA’s target industries for Aerospace Park include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations, completion and delivery centers, passenger to freighter conversion centers, and manufacturers.

According to Canty, aircraft manufacturing and MRO operations are projected to experience significant growth over the coming decade, and recent trends have seen a high percentage of domestic growth occurring in the southeastern United States.

Blountville, Tenn. – The certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its 2019 Fiscal Year Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This marks the 21^st consecutive year the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has achieved the award.

An award of Financial Reporting Achievement was also presented to Rene Weber, Tri-Cities Airport Authority’s Director of Finance, for his role in preparing the award-winning CAFR.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for our Annual Financial Report,” said Gene Cossey, TCAA Executive Director. “I especially appreciate the effort and attention to detail that Rene Weber and the finance staff exhibit daily when managing the Airport’s finances.”

The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate TCAA’s financial story.

Blountville, Tenn. – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has partnered with Hands On! Discovery Center to bring the exciting world of airports alive for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

A new interactive airport component, sponsored by the TCAA, has been added to the Draw Alive exhibit at Hands On! Discovery Center. Draw Alive is a dynamic and interactive exhibit that combines art with technology bringing two-dimensional drawings to life. The new personalized experience begins when a guest chooses a flight-themed template to design and colorize. Options include airplanes, helicopters, and a hot air balloon. The colored image is then scanned into a wall-sized environment. Guests watch as their unique creations take flight and move about the sky in the digital environment.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Tri-Cities Airport and bring this fantastic new experience to the discovery center,” said Andy Marquart, CEO of Hands On! Discovery Center. “Draw Alive has been one of our biggest hits since it was installed and now it will be even more exciting and interactive for visitors of all ages.”

“The airport is excited about this partnership and our sponsorship of the Draw Alive exhibit,” said Gene Cossey, TCAA Executive Director. “Not only will children, teens and adults get to have fun watching their own plane take flight, but it may encourage a number of kids to become interested in a career in the aviation industry. We are also looking forward to exploring other ways we can partner with Hands On! to bring the science of the aviation industry to our community.”

The Draw Alive exhibit is located in the Scheu Family Exhibit Hall in the General Shale Brick Learning Center at Hands On! Discovery Center. Please visit visithandson.org for information regarding hours, special schedule, and health and safety precautions.

Link to video:  https://vimeo.com/454822250/98c6c6cea4

Link to photos: https://bit.ly/3buwexW

Blountville, Tenn. – Aviation and history enthusiasts can view, tour and/or ride in a World War II, B-17 aircraft at Tri-City Aviation between September 8-13, 2020. The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum’s “Flying Legends of Victory” Tour, along with several displays will bring history to life on the ramp of Tri-Cities Aviation.

The B-17G Flying Fortress is named “Sentimental Journey” and was built in 1944. The aircraft is one of five B-17s in the world that is still flying out of the almost 13,000 produced from 1936 to 1945. 8,000 of the B-17s were lost in combat. The “Sentimental Journey” was originally manufactured and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force for war service in March 1945.

Several other aircraft and booths will be on display throughout the week and weekend. Rides are available in various aircraft including the B-17, and cockpit tours are available when the B-17 is not flying. See schedule and contact information below.

Foodies will also have a reason to visit as local food trucks will offer sweet and savory treats throughout the celebration. See schedule below.

Media are invited to Tri-City Aviation for the arrival of the B-17 at 11 AM on Tuesday, September 8.

AIRCRAFT on DISPLAY & RIDE SCHEDULE:

Rides must be booked through the website link or onsite: 
https://www.azcaf.org/location/bristol-tn-tour-stop/#airbase-flights-section

AIRCRAFT RIDES	TUE.	WED.	THURS.	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey	2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (GT)	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (GT)	10:00 AM – Noon (F) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)	10:00 AM – Noon (F) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)	10:00 AM – Noon (F) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)

FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE:

*Schedule and food trucks are subject to change.

FOOD TRUCK	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
Joe Bill’s Kitchen					2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Me and K’s	Noon – 6:00 PM		10:00 AM – 6:00 PM	2:00 PM – 4:00 PM		2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Stop, Drop & Pop	2:00 PM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Trucky Cheese	11:00 AM – 6:00 PM	11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Additional Aircraft Display & Ride Schedule:

AIRCRAFT	SAT. 9/12/20	SUN. 9/13/20
Flying Service at Tri-Cities	423-279-0865	423-279-0865
Sevier County Choppers	865-453-5867	865-453-5867

Primary Contact:

Pam Phillips
Tri-City Aviation
pphillips@tricityaviation.com
(423) 325-6261

Secondary Contact:
Kristi Haulsee
Tri-Cities Airport Authority
Director of Marketing & Air Service Development
O: 423-325-6032/C: 423-802-4086

Blountville, Tenn. – Tri-Cities Airport, along with mutual aid agencies in and around Sullivan and Washington Counties, held a mock disaster drill at the Airport Wednesday, June 10. The exercise took place at the cargo ramp on the south side of the airfield.

The drill simulated a mock crash of a 76-seat regional jet en route to Tri-Cities Airport. For this exercise, the Airport teams simulated 56 passengers and four crew members, involved in an incident when the left main landing gear failed. The aircraft slide off the runway, rolled and broke into two separate pieces with one section catching on fire. Several people are ejected from the aircraft and injuries range from minor cuts and scrapes to serious trauma with some fatalities. The Air Traffic Control Tower called an Alert 3 and the on-duty Airport public safety officers responded and called for mutual aid support.

The exercise was completed on a smaller scale than in the past to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. A limited number of volunteer victims were given verbal instructions on how they would be treated and were then asked to walk to their assigned area. A number of simulated victims were in place for responders to assess. Responders also worked to extinguish a bus used to simulate an aircraft fire.

Held every three years, this federally-mandated exercise is designed as a training exercise for Airport and airline personnel and mutual aid agencies. Emergency management agencies from Sullivan and Washington Counties, Sullivan County Health Department, fire departments and emergency medical services throughout the Tri-Cities participated in the exercise. A team of evaluators uses several criteria to assess the effectiveness of the exercise, including personnel mobilization, command and control of the incident, communications between agencies, responsiveness of the emergency crews, and following established procedure.