2002, Volume 2PAGE 4

Olive Branch Airport Manager Receives FAA Award

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Southern Region Airports Division has selected David Taylor, manager of the Olive Branch Airport in Olive Branch, Mississippi, as the 2001 General Aviation Airport Manager of the Year. The FAA presented the award to Mr. Taylor in May at the Mississippi Airports Association Conference in Natchez.

"David's tireless efforts to continually improve the Olive Branch Airport and his contribution to the general aviation communities of Mississippi and Tennessee have been well documented," said Rusty Chapman, Manager, Airports Division, FAA Southern Region. "He is greatly deserving of this award."

Owned by Belz Enterprises, Olive Branch Airport is a subsidiary of Metro Industrial Park and is the second busiest airport in Mississippi. The 345-acre airport averages 315 take-off and landings per day.

"Through David's leadership, the Olive Branch Airport has been able to substantially increase the safety of its operations, even while the number of aircraft using the airport has increased," Chapman said.

David has served as the manager of the Olive Branch Airport since 1984. In that time he has overseen many major improvements, including extensions of the runway and parallel taxiway, and numerous upgrades to the navigational aids serving arriving and departing aircraft. Currently in the works are plans to build a control tower for the airport, with construction scheduled to begin late this year or early next year.

"We are truly excited that David has received this recognition," said Andrew J. Groveman, senior vice president, Belz Enterprises."

Olive Branch Airport has seen tremendous growth over the past 20 years, much of which can be attributed to David's leadership and his dedication to making this the best general aviation airport in the region." Olive Branch Airport is home to two flight schools, two aircraft maintenance shops, an avionics shop and an aircraft interior shop. Landside facilities include a general aviation terminal, 24 conventional hangars, 26 T-hangar units and 140 paved tie-down spaces. For more information, please contact David Taylor at 901-521-9439.

Photo at top:

1. David Taylor