Aviation View | April 2021

40 AVIATION VIEW APRIL 2021 T he National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2019–2023 categorized Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) as a primary commercial service facility, but it is actually so much more. The airport’s importance as a valuable asset to the whole local region cannot be understated. Located in the Town of Lansing, New York, three miles northeast of Ithaca (county seat and only city in Tompkins County), ITH is the closest airport to Cornell University, Ithaca College, and many popular Finger Lakes destinations. ITH is in excellent hands under the watchful eye of Airport Director, Mike Hall – a retired Air Force fighter pilot. During his time in the Air Force, he flew for the better part of three decades, including commanding Fighter Wing. He recalls, “That gave me aviation experience. Actually, I learned to fly at the Ithaca Airport; my first solo was here in 1967, as part of the Air Force ROTC program. And then I had a great career in the Air Force and wound up being a leadership services consultant. When the Ithaca Airport needed some leadership services, I ended up becoming M A K I N G T H E C O N N E C T I O N