Location and purpose matter. That has been especially important in the long-standing history of the Porter County Regional Airport.
Founded in 1949 and operated by the Porter County Government, the airport was established as a general aviation airport ideally situated for our local communities in the center of the County, being sited in Valparaiso. Today, the Porter County Regional Airport is classified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as a regional airport, serving Porter County and Northwest Indiana, occupying approximately 718 acres.
As to purpose, General Aviation is defined as all aviation operations that are not military or air carrier in nature. With this definition, typical operations that occur at the airport are corporate flights, law enforcement, air ambulance, organ harvest, charter, flight instruction, and agricultural spraying (crop dusting). While the airport’s mainstay is its daily corporate flights and flight instruction, the Airport Director indicates that he and the airport staff take great pride in the airport’s support of its law enforcement and aeromedical operations.
2024 marks the airport’s 75th year anniversary, and today it provides award-winning service to both businesses and its general aviation clients. “The airport is managed by the Porter County Municipal Airport Authority,” said Airport Director Kyle Kuebler. Working diligently to fulfill its mission, everything accomplished at the Porter County Regional Airport over the last 75 years was initiated to provide convenient and efficient access to air travel that grows economic development. “The Airport Authority members are pilots and business people that know what a thriving general aviation airport requires, and how to obtain and manage it,” said Kuebler. “We also have 10 airport staff that dedicate themselves to cater to every airport user, and provide service that is second to none.”
In addition to providing top-tier transportation options, the Porter County Regional Airport also provides numerous educational opportunities throughout the year. Kuebler explained that the airport provides tours for visitors ranging from pre-school aged children to university students. Another aviation history opportunity that the airport has been associated with for the better part of the last forty (40) years is the World War II Aircraft Tours that have visited the airport during this period. Most of these being a display associated with the Collings Foundation collection, and as of last year, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF).
The Commemorative Air Force-AirPower History Tour will be on display at the airport from July 10-14.
“The event will be open to the public Wednesday through Sunday – July 10-14 – from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Access to the ramp where the warbirds are parked is $20 for adults, $10 for children ages 11-17, and free for children 10 and under,” said Kuebler.
Rides may be booked in advance at AirPowerTour.org where additional information about the event may also be found.
Throughout this event, visitors and nearby travelers alike will hear one of the rarest sounds remaining, the distinct rumble of a WWII B-29 bomber aircraft.
"The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was one the largest and most technically advanced aircraft of its time," said Kuebler. "It was first flown in 1942. It began active service in the US Army Air Corp in 1944. It is best known as the aircraft whose missions over Japan helped bring an end to World War II."
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress will also be joined by a T-6 Texan, an RC-45J Expeditioner, and a PT-13 Stearman. Visitors can view the aircraft up close, hear historical stories about each plane, and visit the cockpit when not in flight.
Kuebler said, “The Bomber Visits have etched memories in my mind that I will never forget. In the late 1980’s, original aircrew would come to the displays to again see the type aircraft that brought them home safe from the war, often expressing emotions from great pride to great sorrow on the ramp. In later years, the same aircrew could be seen being rolled to the aircraft in wheelchairs, still able to muster the strength necessary for “one more mission” aboard. In later years, their children would come and experience the ride that their fathers’, and our greatest generation experienced. Now, it’s the grandchildren and great-grandchildren honoring their hero. Over the years, it has been a very humbling time of observation.”
“Porter County Regional Airport is home to more than 150 general aviation aircraft. These aircrafts range in size from small one-passenger propeller-driven aircraft to large corporate jets,” Kuebler explained.
Proud of what the airport has accomplished in the past 75 years, Kuebler and the team are also looking forward to the future.
“Our community is growing rapidly, and the Porter County Municipal Airport Authority has ensured that the airport's growth is keeping pace to meet the needs of our residents, visitors, and businesses,” said Kuebler.
“There are expansion projects underway to meet the growing community needs and to stimulate future business in the area,” said Kuebler.
In 2003, Kuebler, was awarded the Indiana Aviation Person of the Year Award by Aviation Indiana, the State’s Aviation Association.
In 2008, the Porter County Regional Airport was chosen as the 2008 Airport of the Year by Aviation Indiana.
“The airport authority and staff strive to be proactive to the needs of our customers,” said Kuebler. “Technologies involved with aviation and the needs of the user are ever-changing. To succeed as an aviation facility, we must grow and modify our facilities and services to meet those needs.”
To learn more about the Porter County Government, please visit porterco.org. Events and updates for the Porter County Regional Airport can be found on its Facebook page.
