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Airport director outlines land‑lease proposals for larger hangars, flight schools and helicopter tours
Summary
The Shelbyville Municipal Airport director updated the council on pending land leases for larger private hangars, a temporary Hawkins Flight Academy building, and a possible helicopter tour operator base.
The Shelbyville Municipal Airport director updated the council on multiple lease and development conversations at the airport including larger private hangars, a temporary aviation education building, and a proposed helicopter operation.
Paul Perry said two pending land leases would permit larger hangars than the airport’s standard 60x60 units — one proposed 80x60 facility for a tenant with two large airplanes and an 80x80 hangar for a relocating owner with an antique Boeing Stearman. Perry said tenants would be expected to meet utility and insurance requirements; one prospective tenant has $2 million in liability coverage while the other asked to meet a $1 million standard that mirrors recent practice.
Perry also described a Hawkins Flight Academy proposal for a roughly 5,000‑square‑foot temporary education building near the terminal. The building would be leased short term (proposed three‑year lease with renewals), be relocatable and provide classroom and simulator space; Motlow would be a potential tenant for a flight simulator lab. Perry said the structure would be temporary and not city-owned at lease end. Council members asked about parking, ADA access and long‑term airport layout planning; Perry said the airport is updating an airport layout plan and forecasting up to 20 years.
Separately, a tour operator described as Happy Helicopters is seeking an operating agreement to base helicopter tour and limited instruction operations at the airport while marketing studies are completed. Perry said the operator can function from grass or existing ramps and would only initially require fuel purchases from the city; if the operation matures, a helipad and a visible base on the north end have been discussed.
Council did not vote on any leases during the study session. Staff noted a prior omission: several draft lease forms lacked an escalation clause and staff will add the clause before finalizing lease documents. Council also discussed subleasing rules (available with airport authority approval) and long‑term capacity and traffic planning as the airport grows.
