In 1927, Mr. and Mrs. Wiley R. Reynolds donated approximately 160 acres of property for an “aviation field” to the City of Jackson with runway construction being completed in 1928.

In his presentation speech on June 3, 1928, Mr. Reynolds was quoted as saying: “Having been born and lived in Jackson my entire life, it is only natural that I should be interested in helping develop my home town. By deeding this property to the City of Jackson last December for an aviation field demonstrated my desire for Jackson to have one of the finest aviation fields in the state of Michigan.”

Key Events in the Jackson’s Aviation History

1900’s
7/27/1911 The first airplane to be constructed and flown in Jackson was financed and flown by Fred Lewis of Pioneer Manufacturing. Fred commissioned Mr. Hatch and Mr. O’Brien to build a bi-wing airplane. Mr. Lewis flew this aircraft on July 27, 1911.

1920’s
1924 The first recorded airplane crash in Jackson County occurred on 7/30/1924 when Oscar “Galloping” Gallup crashed in his airplane in Vandercook Lake. He received minor injuries.

1927 W.R. Reynolds donated 160 acres to the City of Jackson for use as a municipal airport. The dedication was on June 3, 1928

1928 The City of Jackson constructed two runways: the north-south runway was 1800 feet long and 150 feet wide; the east-west runway was 2600 feet long and 150 feet wide. Both runways were made of dirt.

1930’s
1934 Construction of a new airport terminal building that housed the passenger terminal, airport manager’s office, weather monitoring devises, and pilots lounge. In its history, this building also served as a credit union, Consumer Energy Flight Department office and FAA offices. Today it is the Airport Administration Office. This was a civil works project.

1937 Construction of a municipal hangar of approximately 10,000 sq. ft. in size with 100 feet wide doors was completed. The original cost of the hangar was $25,000. By way of contrast; a recent project to replace the original doors cost approximately $90,000. This was a civil works project also.

1940’s
December 1940 According to the Jackson Citizen Patriot, the “First Jackson Girl” to solo under the local-Federal CAA pilot training course occurred in December of 1940. The course was offered by the Jackson Junior College and the pilot was Aleta Grill.

1942 The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed new runways (current alignment) as part of the war effort. The main runway was 4100 feet long and the cross wind runway was 3500 feet long. These lacked the required safety areas at each end. A current project, 2006, is correcting these runway safety area deficiencies at an estimated cost of approximately 33 million dollars total.

1948 American Airlines started passenger service here at the then Reynolds Municipal Field.

1950’s
1950 Approval by the City of Jackson and other governmental agencies to close Airport Road to permit a runway extension.

1960’s
1960 Construction of a four-story air traffic control tower and a one-story airport terminal building was initiated.

1961 Air traffic control tower opens for business providing air traffic control services for the airport. The airport terminal building also opens for business.

1962 Runway 5-23 is extended to 5344 feet.

1970’s
Early 1970’s There is much community discussion about the financial problems of the airport and the City’s desire to have the townships contribute financially. Also, the first armed guards are required by the FAA to meet incoming and outgoing passenger flights.

1974 – 1976 The City and County jointly operate the airport

1976 The airport is transferred from the City of Jackson to the County of Jackson.

1979 JCC purchases a building located at the airport and begins to offer flight instruction at the JCC Flight Center.

1980’s
Passenger services to Jackson are halted. Simmons airlines were the last to offer services at JXN.

Air Traffic controllers strike nationwide and here at JXN

1990’s
FAA puts JXN on notice that the runway safety area (RSA) deficiencies must be corrected.

Today
2000 County of Jackson begins banking money for the local match portion of correcting the RSA deficiencies according to FAA standards.

2002 The Jackson County Airport begins the Environmental Assessment phases required prior to beginning construction to correct the RSA deficiencies.

2006 Environmental Assessment for the RSA project is completed and submitted to the FAA for approval.

2007 Construction on the first phase of the RSA project is scheduled to begin.

2008 The Jackson County Airport was honored to host Colonel Harry T. Stewart Jr., a Tuskegee Airman, on May 27, 2008. Click here to view his Biography
Click the play arrow below to hear the speech given by Colonel Harry T. Stewart Jr.

1941 Maule Aircraft started in Napoleon; 1946 the Maule farm in Napoleon is converted to an airport. Maule Aircraft designed and built airplanes there until 1968 when it was moved to its current location in Moultrie Georgia

1946 ZANTOP Aviation was a business based at the Jackson County Airport until 1979 when it moved to Willow Run Airport. This company is currently an international airline company flying cargo all over the world.

1961 SKYWAY AVIATION was started by Bob Jordan who built a substantial fleet of DC 3’s flying passengers and cargo. This business remains in operation today offering fueling, corporate aviation services and cargo services and is operated by his son Ben.

2005 PRESTIGE AIRCRAFT is formed to import, manufacture and sell Italian “light sport” airplanes throughout North America. Prestige Aircraft is based at the Jackson County Airport – Reynolds Field; CEO is Mr. Dale Smith of Jackson.

NOTE: This statement of the history of Reynolds’ Field is by no means a complete one. If you, or anyone you know, has additional information about milestones; including photographs, then please contact Kent Maurer, Airport Manager at the email address indicated on this web page.