MISSION STATEMENT

" To satisfy aviation demand and promote airport development that both integrates with the community and serves the region's general aviation and corporate pilots."

Since 1969, the St. Mary's County Regional Airport has been serving the general aviation needs of the community. On June 6, 2006 the terminal facility was formally dedicated as the Captain Walter Francis Duke Terminal Building --receiving both a Governor's Citation and Board of County Commissioner's Proclamation. The Airport Operations Division is responsible for airport planning, grant administration, development of commuter air service, airport compliance and safety, lease management, NOTAMS, economic development and airspace protection.

Services provided at the airport include aircraft hangar leasing, grass and paved tie-down, rental, flight school instructions, charter service, 100 low lead and Jet A fueling,  maintenance / repair services and Md. State Police MedEvac operations
 

AIRPORT HISTORY

In the late 1950’s, preliminary planning for a County owned airport in St. Mary’s County was begun. A survey was performed in 1966 that indicated a need for an airport which would accommodate medium sized twin engine aircraft. Many aircraft were known to be based in St. Mary’s County on small, private strips and fields. The airport was to accommodate them as well as light industry in the County and to provide air service to NAS/NATC.

Three (3) sites were eventually selected for detailed study, and the present site was chosen as the most advantageous and feasible alternative. The original airport properties were acquired in August 1968 , construction of the St. Mary’s County Airport was completed during 1969, and the Airport was in operation before the end of that year. The total project costs, which included land, engineering, administrative, and construction costs totaled $392,901.75. Federal financial participation by the Federal Aviation Agency, under the Federal Aid Airport Program (FAAP), was $150,100. Subsequently, a 10,000 foot aircraft maintenance, and storage hangar, with adjacent offices and public areas was constructed. The hangar facilities were completed by the end of 1975. The total hangar cost was $180,542.30. It wasn’t until 1978 that the County received it’s first grant monies from the FAA for the development of an Airport Master Plan.

Airport operations were conducted under a lease agreement between the County and Professional Flight Services, Inc. from the opening of the Airport through December 1976. From January 1977, through March, 1980, the Airport was leased for management and operations by Southern Maryland Aviation, Inc. In 1979, the Airport Master Plan was finally completed and demonstrated future needs for the Airport. The Airport was then leased to St. Mary’s Aero Services, Inc. during the spring of 1980. An Airport Commission was soon established to manage the Airport in accordance with bylaws that were adopted on May 24, 1983. Airpark Sales and Services, Inc. was eventually designated as the Fixed Based Operator (FBO) in September 1987. In September 1988, the Airport Layout Plan (ALP) was updated and adopted. Following numerous infrastructure improvements, By August 1994, "Rules and Minimum Standards" were drafted and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners and are recorded at Deed Book 009 Pages 124-196. In 1997, with $1.8M of FAA eligible funding, the end of Runway 29 was extended from 3250’ to 4150’, the taxi-way was widened from 60-75’ and over-layed to accommodate aircraft in excess of 12,500 pounds. A $3.1M terminal building was completed in the Spring of 2000 using MAA funding and the airport was designated as the Captain Walter Francis Duke Regional Airport at St. Mary’s.

The Airport property now encompasses approximately 224.5 acres and was obtained in fee simple from Mr. and Mrs. Mervell Dean (138.24 acres), Mrs. G Claude Abell (15.48 acres), Mr. and Mrs. Paul R. Nimmerichter (33.10 acres), and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Waldschmidt (35.72 acres). Of the total acreage, the 85.35 acre North Parcel, is dedicated to future development of an airport industrial or technology park. Current plans call for an extension of the runway to 5,350’ and scheduled commuter air service.
  

In 1978, the Airport received a federal grant for an Airport Master Plan. Since that time, St. Mary's County Airport has received both federal and state funding for numerous airport development and improvement projects. To view the most recent Airport Layout Drawing, click here. Table 1-1 provides a brief history of the numerous  federal FAA and state MAA grants that have been awarded to St. Mary's County for implementation of the approved master plans and airport layout drawings. The Table includes dollar amounts, dates, and a brief description of each project. To date, sixteen (16) projects in excess of $9 million have been granted to the expansion and upgrade of this facility.

ST. MARY’S COUNTY AIRPORT PREVIOUS AIRPORT FUNDING - Click for PDF File