February 26, 2012, Dan Whittle, The Murfreesboro Post
Ever dream of catching a ride on the Goodrich blimp?
Heard it through the pipeline down at the pool hall recently, Smyrna Airport will become one of the big players in America’s aviation industry when it’s announced this week the airport has landed a huge management company that services and leases blimps to such companies as MetLife and Fuji Film.
By the way, Goodrich is not one of the companies. It’s the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company that has blimps, not Goodrich!
Smyrna Airport’s latest newly signed tenant company does not manage Goodyear’s blimp fleet that remains based in Akron, Ohio. “We’re modifying a big hangar as we speak, to have the company based here permanently,” said Smyrna Airport Executive Director John Black. “We had a small MetLife blimp in here last week, for us to check out our modifications. We’ve scheduled one of the biggest blimps to fly in next week, to make certain the modified hanger is adequate.
“During the past 20 years, Smyrna Airport, with its large landing fields, has served as a regular landing and refueling stops for blimps from throughout the U.S.
“This is a big step, a proud step of progress for Smyrna Airport,” Black added. “This company manages and services blimps for several different promotional companies. We’ll be their main base of operations, which will help tremendously in getting our airport brand known throughout the world.”
Smyrna Airport’s location appeals to corporate and private general aviation sites. “We’re centrally located, making Smyrna Airport within a day’s drive of 75 percent of America’s population,” Black said.Smyrna Airport has evolved into Tennessee’s largest and most-used general aviation airport following the closing of old Sewart Air Force Base in 1972.
Being in the news-gathering game has its perks, in that wife, Pat, and I have begged and haggled shamelessly for multiple rides on blimps down through the years. But it was a blimp ride five years ago that touched our hearts most, and we were not on this blimp ride.
It occurred after prized granddaughter, Rachel, the daughter of La Vergne businessman Karey Amick, was severely injured when a horse kicked her in the abdomen. After Rachel was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, we learned it was life-and-death surgery facing our precious 8-year-old granddaughter due to a ruptured spleen. What happened next turned out to be one of the highest compliments a grand pappy can receive.
While Rachel was being prepped on the surgical table, she advised Grandmother Pat, “If Pappy Dan comes in here, I won’t be afraid.”While standing there beside our darling grandchild, I spoke: “Rachel, we’ve all prayed, and you’re going to be fine. Surgery will go smooth, so when you get well, tell Pappy Dan what it is that you would most like to do?” “I want to ride on the Good Year blimp,” Rachel ordered from her young innocent life’s menu.
The request floored me, but I didn’t let on how difficult it can be to hitch a ride on one of those big beautiful blimps that seem to float so smoothly through the air.It took five years, but Pat and I finally arranged for Rachel to get that ride on the blimp, thanks largely to Smyrna Airport Manager Lois Valance’s valiant efforts and the graciousness of the Goodyear team.