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Visit regularly for news updates from Southern Star Aviation and Mid-Way Regional Airport.
Mid-Way Regional Airport continues growth
June 3, 2019 | Waxahachie Daily Light
Nearly 50 years ago, one local businessman had a dream to bring aircraft to a patch of land between Midlothian and Waxahachie.
Judy Demoney, the current Mid-Way Regional Airport manager, explained Rex Odom was “just determined there would be a need. He just stayed on it and stayed on it.”
The airport now serves as one of 395 airports in the state and generates over $22 million in local economic impact.
Odom, a local Waxahachie businessman, first hatched the idea to create a regional airport located off Highway 287 between Midlothian and Waxahachie after he noticed the area’s possible growth, Demoney said.
The airport started as a Waxahachie-only project under the city’s chamber of commerce. Odom then formed the Airport Committee of the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce in 1977. Read more.
His wings were earned: Former mayor and 29-year airport board member honored
February 28, 2017 | Waxahachie Daily Light
In the midst of rising change and seasonal transitions, former Midlothian Mayor George Kent was celebrated for his 29 years of board membership at Mid-way Regional Airport.
“This event is for George Kent who has been on the airport board for 29 years,” stated Judy Demoney, Mid-way Regional Airport’s Manager, during the Feb. 9 ceremony.
“The airport, which is owned by two cities, Midlothian and Waxahachie, and has three members from Waxahachie and three members from Midlothian. George has been a board member since 1987 before there was even an airport here because he was the former mayor of Midlothian doing the planning and everything,” she explained.
Kent, who served as mayor of the City of Midlothian from 1979-1987, retired his position after falling ill while battling cancer. Although Kent’s physical ailments slowed him down, he continued to help the aircraft facility mature into what it is today.
Mid-Way Fly-In celebrates 20th anniversary
June 6, 2016 | Waxahachie Daily Light
The threat of rain didn’t deter the crowds from coming out to Mid-Way Regional Airport’s annual Pancake Breakfast Fly-In. Airplanes, helicopter rides, classic cars, children’s activities and pancakes were all apart the fun being served up at the airport.
This was the 20th anniversary for the event, which took place Saturday, following a week of heavy downpours and flooding in parts of Ellis County.
City OKs adding hangers to Mid-Way
June 4, 2014 | Waxahachie Daily Light
The Waxahachie City Council approved a resolution Monday to build 12 T-hangars at Mid-Way Regional Airport in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division.
“I would like to present an opportunity for us to partner with TxDOT Aviation to build hangars at Mid-Way Regional Airport. Our 2012 master plan calls for the construction of a T-hangar complex and access taxiway to be built west of the terminal,” Airport Manager Judy Demoney said. “They have issued a preliminary start date to be August or September of this year for design with construction to be the same period next year August or September of 2015.”
Demoney said the cost of the project is $1.72 million with TxDOT funding 90 percent. The remaining 10 percent of the project will be split between the city of Waxahachie and the city of Midlothian who jointly own the airport. The Midlothian City Council approved the resolution for the hangars at its meeting last week.
Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sylvia Grandstaff and father-in-law Hugh Grandstaff stand next to the Chinook helicopter Sylvia landed at Mid-Way Regional Airport Tuesday. Two other helicopters also stopped at Mid-Way to refuel on their way to California.
U.S. Army pilot has homecoming at Mid-Way Airport
January 8, 2014 | Waxahachie Daily Light
Mid-Way Regional Airport in Midlothian welcomed a homegrown hero Tuesday, Jan. 7. Family members and friends greeted Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sylvia Grandstaff after she landed a Chinook helicopter for a refueling stop.
Growing up one of her dreams was to learn how to fly. In 2009, Grandstand left medical School at Baylor University and joined the U.S. Army to make that dream a reality.
While waiting on a medical waiver from the Army to be approved, Grandstaff worked at several business at Mid-Way airport. Some of these businesses included Southern Star Aviation, the Trojan Phlyers, Airborne Imaging and flying gliders for Carol Walker.
"I have been flying gliders since I was 13 years old, so I always liked to fly but didn't see myself doing it as a career at first. I just let people talk me out of it
for too long," Grandstaff said. "Between the time that I left medical school and joined the Army I worked here. This has been a great airport since the beginning. It is nice to come back and support
the people that have supported you."
Mid-Way Regional Airport nominated for state honor
March 7, 2013 | Waxahachie Daily Light
Mid-Way Regional Airport has been nominated for the airport of the year award at the upcoming Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Conference.
KSA Engineering who is overseeing the expansion of the airport’s parking area or apron nominated the airport to receive this honor. The conference will take place May 13-15 in Austin.
Mid-Way Regional Airport Board Chairman Paula Baucum said one of the items that TxDOT looks at in selecting the recipient for this award is how airports use the funding they get from the state and then leverage it from other entities to meet the aviation need of the general area.
Mid-Way is one of only a few airports that are partnered with multiple entities that are principals of the airport. Another airport that operates with multiple partners is Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.
Over the past few years the airport has made improvements to its facility through several large construction projects. The projects have improved the experience that both residents and visitors have while at the airport.
One of the first projects undertaken at the airport was to expand the length of the runway by 1,500 feet and widening it by 75-100 feet. The project also replaced all the lighting and electrical systems, including the runway lights and beacon. An improved instrument approach system was installed to allow pilots to land at the airport in worse weather than before.
The new 6,500 feet runway allows larger aircraft to land such as a Bombardier Global Express business jet that uses Mid-Way as a point to refuel or as a connection point to the metroplex.
Mid-Way Regional Airport is serving as an international hub for Air Tractor aircraft manufactured in Texas and being flown to Macapa, Brazil.
Mid-Way to Brazil
September 10, 2012 | Waxahachie Daily Light
Early Friday morning when the sun was just shedding light on the runway of Mid-Way Regional Airport, a bright yellow single engine airplane took off turning to an easterly direction. The plane, known as an Air Tractor Model 502, was headed for Macapa, Brazil.
Parked in the airport's hangar next to the flight operations center, the aircraft was rolled out onto the flight line Thursday evening for final preparations for the trip. The pilot, 26-year-old Hugo Vergnano, topped off the fuel tanks and checked over the new aircraft before leaving for dinner and a night's rest.
"Tomorrow's going to be a very long day," Vergnano said, who will take off on the first leg of the trip heading for Miami, Fla. His journey will take him along the Gulf Coast to Florida then on to Puerto Rico before making the final leg to Brazil.
Photo by Andrew Branca/The Daily Light
Mid-Way event gives Scouts opportunity to soar
February 29, 2012 | Waxahachie Daily Light
Mid-Way Regional Airport was buzzing with activity on Saturday morning as Scouts from Troop 524 in Ovilla took to the air.
The scouts visited the airport to learn about basics of flight from pilots and received an introductory flying lesson.
"Our scouts are up here working on their aviation merit badges. We take this opportunity to do this once every three years. It is a neat opportunity for them to learn about aviation," Scout Master Tim Rowlette said. "We have a number of people bring their airplanes and helicopters out and let the boys go for a ride. It gives them something to consider on whether or not this might be a career that they might be interested."
BBQ cook-off to land at Mid-Way Airport March 2-3
February 23, 2012 | Waxahachie Daily Light
The Knights of Columbus Council 8417 will host its second annual barbecue cook-off from 5:30 p.m. Friday and from 7 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, March 2-3 at the Mid-Way Regional Airport in Midlothian.
The cook-off competitions will include a cobbler contest and youth pork chop competition Friday night and a pinto bean, half chicken, pork spare rib, brisket and pulled pork competitions on Saturday. K of C members are also selling raffle tickets for a 36-inch barbecue grill/smoker pit. The ticket stub includes a 10 percent coupon to Chili’s, one of the main sponsors for the cook-off.
Demoney takes helm as Mid-Way airport manager
February 14, 2012 | Waxahachie Daily Light
Judy Demoney brings a wide range of experience to the airport manager position at Mid-Way Regional Airport. Demoney has served in top-level management positions with National Airlines in Miami and with Frontier Airlines in Denver.
“The reception has been very good. It has only been under two weeks and I am getting to know a lot of people,” Demoney said. “It is thrilling to me to be able to bring my experience and skills back to my hometowns. I have a lot of experience to offer and I have a lot to learn about the general aviation side of the business."
The airport board of directors unanimously appointed Demoney as the interim airport manager after the previous manager, Andy Biery, resigned in August.
Mid-Way to the future
February 11, 2012 | Waxahachie Daily Light
The future of Mid-Way Regional Airport was put on display for the public to see Thursday evening. The airport board hosted a public information workshop to show a variety of options that could be placed into the airport’s development plan.
“The purpose for tonight is to receive public comment and to get as much stakeholder input on where we are and where we want to go as an airport. That would be from the perspective of a tenant, a business owner or someone that just flies in and out (of) here,”Airport Board Chairman Paula Baucum said. “It is really nice to come out of the construction zone and to be planning for the future. I love the airport and love what it does for both of our communities. It is a bright future from now on and it is going to be great for everyone.”
Mid-Way Regional Airport 131 Airport Drive Midlothian, Texas 76065
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