Ashland Municipal Airport at Sumner Parker Field

The Ashland Municipal Airport was established in 1965.  The City owns all of the land and buildings on the airport with the exception of the privately owned hangars at the northeast edge of the field and the Sky Research Hangar built in 2000.  The airport has 34 hangars, 120 tie-down spaces and supports about 85 based aircraft.

The Facilities Maintenance Division, with assistance from the City Electric Department and Parks Department ensure appropriate maintenance is completed.  The Public Works Engineering Division contracts for grant funded improvements and major maintenance related items. 

Management decisions for the Airport and related facilities receive oversight and recommendations through the Airport Commission, and staff work is completed through the Public Works Administrative Division.  The airport is operated by Robert Skinner, Skinner Aviation, as the contract Fixed Base Operator (FBO).  Skinner has been the airport’s FBO since 1993 and is responsible for overall oversight of the Airport facilities including radio control, fuel facility, aircraft maintenance, hangar rental collection, flight training and facility maintenance. Skinner Aviation is the ideal first point of contact for questions related to Ashland Municipal Airport.

The history of aviation in Ashland is well established, dating back to the early 1920's. Several airfields were utilized in the Ashland area during the early years of aviation. In the late 1940's an airstrip developed by Sumner Parker, a local pilot, was leased to the City of Ashland for use as a public airport. The Sumner Parker site was located approximately 3 miles from Downtown Ashland and was found to be well suited for aircraft operations. The City continued to lease the property and make improvements to the airfield into the 1960's. In 1963, based on growing community support, the City began to evaluate future development needs of the airport. After establishing an airport committee, a feasibility study was conducted to determine the best location for a local airport. The Sumner Field site was found to be the most feasible, and the City Council authorized negotiations for purchase of the property surrounding the airstrip. Federal approval of the site was received in 1964, and acquisition of the property was completed shortly thereafter. The airport was renamed Ashland Municipal Airport - Sumner Parker Field. A number of major airport improvements have occurred at Ashland Municipal Airport since it became a publicly owned facility. In 1968, the runway was paved and lighted; an aircraft parking apron was constructed, and an airport administrative building was completed shortly thereafter. Since the initial development, the runway has been widened to 75 feet, and a 200 foot displaced threshold was added to Runway 30, and the parallel taxiway was extended 660 feet to the end of Runway 12. Other improvements include extension of the Runway 12 overrun (safety area); expanded apron and tie-down areas; improvements to vehicle parking and access roadways; construction of a maintenance facility; and various landscaping projects.

Ashland Municipal Airport is owned and operated by the City of Ashland, under the Department of Public Works. A nine-member appointed Airport Commission oversees the operations of the Airport. Skinner Aviation the Airports Fixed Base Operator is responsible for administering tie-downs and hangar rents, fuel flowage fees etc., through an operating lease with the City.