Darke County Airport welcomed visitors Saturday for its sixth annual Fly-In and Cruise-In, an event featuring aircraft, classic vehicles and recent facility upgrades.
Airport Manager Scott Naas attributed the strong showing to favorable conditions and said the event was the product of months of work. He noted that other regional fly-ins the same day limited how many planes could be on hand at once, and he expected aircraft to keep arriving throughout the day.
Commissioner Matt Aultman also credited the weather and praised the support of the Friends of the Darke County Airport, local families and businesses. He said the airport has replaced its former terminal and added a new terminal and two hangars, and that the community hangar might later host educational programs for youth organizations.
According to Aultman, redevelopment accelerated in 2018 after talks with the Federal Aviation Administration. He said the changes have boosted traffic and fuel sales, which he claimed have quadrupled over four years, and that the airport now serves insurers, businesses, flight schools and pilots visiting the area or Eldora Speedway.
Preparation for the seventh event is expected to start in coming weeks. Naas said the 2027 edition is anticipated later in the year, likely the first weekend of October.