A buzz of activity at Huntington airport

By PHIL FAUVER Guest Writer

Exciting things are happening at the Huntington Airport. Those that use the Huntington Airport are pleased to see that Emery County is spending some money to upgrade the facilities at the airport. Funding is also coming from the Utah Department of Transportation’s aeronautical division which helps with airport projects. These needed improvements are very welcome as two years ago there wasn’t an attendant at the airport most of the time and fuel was hard to get.
The airport now has a 3,000 gallon underground fuel tank and a new gas pump that takes credit cards. There is no longer a need for an attendant to dispense the gasoline.
The airport has a courtesy car for those that land and want to drive into Huntington for lunch or other business.
Stilson Construction Company of Orangeville is removing dirt and preparing the foundation for a large steel airplane maintenance hangar just North of the present hangers. Several small T hangars will be built for housing single planes later.
Airport manager Leon Defriez is working hard at remodeling and upgrading the Huntington Airport office building.
Lee Jeffs and his crew are bringing an 8 inch water line across the airport property to where the new maintenance hangar will be. This 8 inch water line will supply three fire hydrants near the airplane maintenance hanger.
Helicopter pilot instructor Glen Gustaveson of Price was seen giving Kerwin Jensen of Cleveland final instructions before taking off to practice flying Kerwin’s R44 Raven II helicopter made by the Robinson Aviation Company in Torrance, Calif.
Kerwin Jensen formerly owned the KFJ trucking company out of Cleveland. Since Kerwin is now the proud owner of a helicopter, he and his sons are taking flying lessons from Gustaveson in their helicopter.
On one occasion while Kerwin and Glen were flying near Wellington, they noticed that the gate to a pasture was open and some of Kerwin’s cows were out of the pasture. They used the helicopter to herd the cows back into the pasture and then landed to close the gate. Kerwin Jensen said he is having a lot of fun flying this helicopter and may consider purchasing a bigger, faster helicopter in the future.
Tom Lawler and Denise Haas from Lava Hot Springs, Idaho landed a Maul, high wing monoplane with a tail wheel. This type of plane is ideal for landing on dirt or grass landing strips. Lawler landed to refuel at Huntington Airport on Nov. 18, before continuing on into the San Rafael Swell and other scenic areas in Utah.
The plane was loaded with sleeping bags and camping gear. The couple plan to land on several small dirt air strips and to camp in the hills near Goblin Valley or Capitol Reef National Park. While at the Huntington Airport they borrowed the airport courtesy car to go to Cindy’s Café in Huntington for lunch.
Steve Ault the owner of NorthStar Gas LC in Ferron and two airplanes at Huntington Airpor,t was on hand to greet Lawler and Haas and acquaint them with the area.