Update on the Municipal airport: Improvements over the years have been made and the airport is now a 5000 ft asphalted lighted runway. The FAA identifier is 2A6. Asphalted taxiways and tie down space is available. It is about 3 miles SE of Holly Grove off Hwy 146 East. (past Macedonia cemetery towards Ragtown)
Official Opening Ceremonies of HG Municipal Airport Held Sunday
Congressman Bill Alexander was unable to attend the official opening ceremonies of the Holly Grove Municipal Airport and a very heavy downpour of rain cancelled most of the model airplane show, but a large and enthusiastic group of people were present for the ceremonies and the barbecue supper Sunday afternoon (Oct. 7).
Congressman Alexander was unable to attend due to day and night sessions of Congress as they wroked on the national budget.
Ruth Dearing, chairman of the Holly Grove Airport Commission, acted as mistress of ceremonies for the afternoon. Mrs. Jim Matthews cut the bright yellow ribbon officially opening the airport facilities. Mrs. Matthews sold the 66 1/2 acres of land to the commission for the airport and has been a loyal supporter of the project.
Several members of the Arkansas Department of Aeronautics in Little Rock and a number of members of the Arkansas Aeronautics Commission from several areas of the state were present at the ceremonies. Tommy Hancock, director of the Department of Aeronautics, stated that the Holly Grove Airport is being used all over the state as an example of the best airport constructed for the least amount of money. The department had provided a matching grant of $23,800 and donations and in-kind labor and equipment supplied the match.
Mayor Donna Hill welcomed the guests to the ceremonies and joined with several others in thanking Monroe County Judge Tom Catlett for his assistance in the airport construction.
Dr. Pat Harrison, chairman of the Brinkley Airport Commission, was present for the afternoon activities and was among the seven exhibitors who brought their model airplanes to the show. His 90-inch wing span model "Ag Cat" was an exact model of agricultural aircraft seen in this area. All the models were handcrafted, and Chris Morris, son of Mr. and Mrs. Billy Joe Morris of Holly Grove, was the youngest exhibitor.
The airport is located south of Holly Grove and has a 5,000-foot packed dirt and grass runway. It is hoped that the runway and access road will be paved in the future.
Members of the Holly Grove Airport Commission are Mrs. Dearing, Dr. Herd Stone, Van Miller, Mike Richardson, Billy Reynolds and Frank Miller. Billy Joe Morris and Janice Everett were members of the commission during the construction and have recently completed their terms as commissioners. Van Miller will serve as airport manager and Steve Moye is the full time mechanic.
The airport is used by several flying services and individual aircraft owners. Three flying services are located at the field. They are Holly Grove Flying Service, owned by Billy Joe Morris; Everett Flying Service, owned by Randy Everett; and Square Hill Flying Service, owned by Carl Wayne (Square) Hill.
