S.O.A.R. of Greene County educates, gives back to the community
Courtesy of S.O.A.R. of Greene County
A group of aviation enthusiasts in Greene County are championing the importance of the county’s airport.
Support Our Aviation Resources – more widely known as S.O.A.R. of Greene County – is a nonprofit organization that exists for volunteers to pass on their love for all things flying.
“Our main goal is to preserve, protect and defend the airport of Greene County. We want to educate others on the value of having a community airport” said Richard Judy, S.O.A.R. president.
Judy said the Greene County Airport is convenient to Interstate 79, but “the value of a municipal airport cannot be understated.”
“Businessmen fly themselves in and out of local airports. For them, time is money and if they can’t stop here, they put their business in a more convenient location,” Judy said.
In addition, the airport offers a maintenance facility on the property.
“Greene Arrow not only services our planes but folks come in as far away as Virginia and Ohio to have their aircraft worked on because of their good mechanics and fair prices,” Judy said.
S.O.A.R. members organize events throughout the year to bring community members to the airport.
“We have an annual Aviation Day and several pancake breakfasts at the airport,” Judy said. “On Aviation Day, we give free flights to kids, ages 8-17. There’s helicopter rides and rides in an 1829 Travel Air bi-plane if they’re interested.”
Judy grew up around airplanes. His father, grandfather, uncles and brothers are all in the aviation industry, and he knows what flying has done for him as a commercially-rated pilot.
Like many other volunteers in S.O.A.R., he wants to share his passion with young people who may not know about flying as a hobby or career.
“It’s sharing something that’s not very accessible anymore. You can’t go out to the airport and peek in a hanger these days,” Judy said. “This is our opportunity to show residents of Greene County what the airport is all about, to educate the next generation and maybe give a few of them the bug for flying.”
For more information or to donate to S.O.A.R. of Greene County, visit https://www.soarofgreenecounty.org/ or follow them on Facebook at Support Our Aviation Resources.