Big things are coming to the Marion County Airport if Charles Taylor, Marion County’s Airport Director, has anything to do with it.
Taylor, who has been the airport director since 2023, is pushing to make the Marion County Airport the best it can be.
The airport has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a grass strip in 1963 and officially opening in 1974 with a 4,000 ft. runway and a terminal building.
Since Taylor, who has more than 45 years of aviation experience, has taken over the airport the runway has been extended to 5,004 feet. He has made it a fixed-base operation and provides crucial services such as fuel (low-lead 100 and jet A) with 10,000 gallon self-service tanks available during the airport’s normal hours of 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and facilities that are accessible to pilots 24 hours a day including restrooms, a conference room, and a lounge with a television and refreshments.
Another thing that Taylor instituted was a celebration of Aviation Week to recognize the importance that the airport plays in the community, region, and state. Held in April of this year, this was a wonderful event that included members of the S.C. Aeronautics Commission, local and state elected officials, and a representative from Senator Tim Scott’s office. Everyone enjoyed a delicious barbecue lunch prepared by Charles Taylor himself.
The Breezy Flight School recently opened with instructor James Wallace offering private flight lessons.
Taylor has plans to construct a new modern 9,480 sq. ft. terminal building that will include conference rooms and a small restaurant. He would also like to see corporate hangars locate at the airport on the 11.4 acres that has been set aside for this project.
Taylor also hopes to involve the local schools with the airport being a place for field trips for fifth to eighth grade students and instilling in them an appreciation for aviation and introducing them to possible careers in the aviation industry.
Keep your eyes on the Marion County Airport as it continues to flourish and improve under the leadership of Taylor.
