FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A ribbon cutting and open house will be held June 17 for the new terminal building at Smith Field Airport (SMD).
The events are slated for 3:30 p.m., following the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority board meeting.
The new terminal features a customer service counter just inside the airfield entrance, a multipurpose room for meetings and trainings seminars, new office space, and 24-hour restrooms. Outside amenities include a patio area with front row seats to the airfield and a new aircraft fueling area. The fueling area is equipped with new pumps and digital LED displays. The fuel tanks are also now above ground, making it easier for staff to perform inspections and maintenance.
“The old terminal building was 35 years old and lacked the space needed to sufficiently serve our customers and business partners,” said Scott Hinderman, Executive Director of Airports for the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority. “Now, we have plenty of space for our staff and pilots, and also room to grow, which is exactly what we see general aviation doing in Fort Wayne.”
The terminal gives Sweet Aviation, SMD’s flight instruction and aircraft rental operator, significant hangar and office space for ground school classes and aircraft maintenance services.
The new terminal is the former Ivy Tech Community College building, which was home to the college’s Airframe and Powerplant Certification Program. The A&P program quickly outgrew the facility and is now housed on Cook Road at SMD. Classes began there last fall.
http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2013/06/new-terminal-building-opens-at-smd/