Air tour stops by area

More than 27 fixed wing planes landed at the Tucumcari Municipal Airport Friday as part of the centennial air tour.

QCS photo: Thomas Garcia

New Mexico Pilots Association Co-director Joyce Woods presents Tucumcari Airport Manager Steve Stephenson two plaques during Friday's Centennial Air Tour.

"This is a great time to have so many people stop in to our newly remodeled air terminal," said Doug Powers, city manager.

The pilots joined Mayor Amiel Curnutt, as he cut the ribbon for the grand re-opening of the remodeled air terminal.

"It's quite an honor to have your group join us for this ribbon cutting ceremony," Curnutt said. "Thank you all for coming, and enjoy Tucumcari."

"We are here with the New Mexico Centennial celebration air tour and this is part of New Mexico General Aviation appreciation month declared by Gov. Sunana Martinez," said Joyce Woods, co-director of the New Mexico Pilots Association.

Woods said general aviators are responsible for about $61 million in annual expenditures in the state.

She said the tour gives the public a chance to see general aircraft as they visit local airports with the mission to highlight New Mexico's aviation history.

Local residents had a chance to experience aviation history first hand as they viewed aircraft and visited with pilots.