Authority was established which, since that time, has been responsible for the airport’s maintenance, development, and growth. Today, in addition to its use by many local corporate, business, and private aircraft owners, MVN has become a major cross-country fuel stop destination, due to several desirable and complementary factors: its 6,500 by 150 ft., asphalt runway with Instrument Landing System (ILS) and Area Navigation (RNAV) approaches on either end; its FBO, SRT Aviation, which is one of only a few FAA-certificated repair stations in that part of the state; its enhanced safety and security systems; and its many amenities, such as pilot supplies, a crew lounge, a 200-seat restaurant (the Bonnie Café), and more. Mount Vernon Outland Airport used to have commercial service: it was served by Ozark Airlines for 18 years -- up until 1980 -- and later by other commuter airlines. And that is why it has a long, commercial-grade runway, supported by advanced technology and customer-focused amenities. INFRASTRUCTURE IS KEY “We’re very blessed with infrastructure,” says Airport Director, Chris Collins. “We have a full commercial runway and about ten acres of concrete ramp that’s stressed for aircraft more than 250,000 pounds.The largest narrowbody airliner can operate here.” And because it needed to be Part 139-certified by the FAA to support its former commercial aviation sector, Mount Vernon Outland Airport was required to meet strict safety and emergency response benchmarks. That is the reason for its perimeter fencing; its upgraded signs, lights, and markings; its superior aircraft rescue and firefighting services; its snow and ice control operations; and its aviation fueling safety protocols, among other FAA-mandated structures, procedures, and processes. With all that infrastructure in place, it’s hard to believe that MVN hasn’t had a commercial carrier for the last 25 years -- since 1999, when the airport’s Essential Air Service (EAS) subsidy was withdrawn, rendering commercial airline activity unprofitable for its corporate owners. (EAS is a U.S. government program enacted to guarantee that small communities in the 85 AVIATION VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 04, ISSUE 03 MT. VERNON OUTLAND AIRPORT
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