The Carmi Airport was officially activated in March of 1976. That made 2026 a banner year for the airport and on June 6th, community near and far came together to celebrate. Ron Immel, the airport manager since May of 2025, a Kiwanian himself recapped the day at the most recent civic club gathering.
Events got underway at about 6am with a fly in breakfast that fed about 175 folks and activities lasted well into the evening. That included free flights over Carmi for many that were flying for the first time and several that it was their first time to the facility.
We had 3 airplanes in the air from 9am till 5:30pm and took over 250 people for, a lot of them, their first airplane rides. Amazingly, you’d be surprised the number of people in our community that don’t know that airport is there.
Amid other entertainment, the airport also ran an art contest encouraging local youngsters to submit artwork with winners having their entry framed and displayed in the terminal. Immel says those are being framed right now.
Hot air balloon rides were another highlight as was the surprise dedication of the terminal in honor of long time supporter and pilot Stan Williams.
Immel says future events can be expected and he hopes the well-kept secret can return to its glory days.
The airport used to be just a ton of fun. And we’re trying to get it back to that. On the weekends, obviously we had the jump school then. They were always out there, planes taking off, people skydiving. But we were always out there on the weekends. There’d be a half a dozen grills going, people cooking and flying. Of course 100 low lead wasn’t $6 a gallon at the time either, but we’re just trying to get back to that.
The airport also plays home to the White County Flying Club with a membership of about 50 folks including several active pilots and flying instructor Jordan Knight. He has 11 students on his waiting list to teach. Immel says he’s actively trying to attract Brody Attebury, a certified flight instructor and airframe and power plant mechanic.
Learn more at https://cityofcarmi.org/airport/.