Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport

Nestled along the South Fork of the Licking River is my hometown, Cynthiana, Kentucky. Cynthiana boasts several factories, 6,000 residents, and a public-use airport, where my cousin, Bobby Craft, is the board chairman. Cynthiana-Harrison County Airport (0I8) is a small airport two miles south of Cynthiana tucked in a bend of the Licking River with a 3,800-foot runway and a handful of hangars.

Bobby, like many others, is a huge booster of aviation. He is active in Young Eagles®, an Experimental Aircraft AssociationTM program where kids get a ride in an aircraft volunteers rent or own. It’s a great program: More than a million young people have received rides thanks to volunteer pilots in 90 countries.

Since 2000, each year some 200 young Kentuckians are introduced to aviation at two events at the Cynthiana airport. Bobby proudly reports that one of his first Young Eagles returned this year with a newly minted pilot certificate. Helping young people get a taste of aviation and get a sense that their futures can soar is essential to aviation’s future. What Bobby, his wife Jeana, and countless other Young Eagles volunteers are doing is even more important: They build character. The Young Eagles flights help many kids overcome their fears and feel pride and self-confidence when they come back after that first flight.

There’s no age limit at Cynthiana airport. Last summer, Jeana coordinated an event for "Silver Eagles" to give rides to residents of the Cedar Ridge Health Campus. She wanted to give senior citizens an opportunity that they would not have had without such a program. Some of the seniors had never been in an airplane; others hadn’t flown in more than 50 years. One participant was 100 years old.

Cynthiana airport isn’t standing still. It is moving forward to ensure the airport continues to play an important role in the community. Bobby acquired funding to build a new terminal building (including classrooms) and parking lot. Yet, Bobby is not alone. There are many more people like him across the country who are doing great things for aviation.

We in the federal government work visibly to enable the adventure and commerce of aviation without compromising safety. Many in Washington, DC, get publicly recognized for their contributions. Yet, there are thousands of unsung heroes all around the nation who humbly give of their own time and expense to enhance aviation’s future.

Yes, I am extremely proud of what my cousin is doing for aviation. I am also proud of the many other unsung heroes who are making a tremendous difference for aviation. Thank you all for what you are doing to build a better and stronger future for all of us.