MAC CRENSHAW MEMORIAL AIRPORT

In 2001, the City of Greenville embarked on a series of projects to develop their current airport with 3,800 feet of runway into a facility capable of serving corporate jet aircraft.  This development began with a host of planning, land acquisition and environmental projects.  The master planning document, an Airport Layout Drawing, was developed in conjunction with the FAA and ALDOT Aeronautics Bureau.  This was followed by a Runway Length Feasibility/Justification Study, Environmental Assessment, development of a Height Zoning Ordinance and acquisition of land surrounding the current airport that would be required to develop the runway.  Once the planning was in place, the first project was to relocate a two-lane county road in order to extend the runway.

Several large grants were received from the FAA and ALDOT which funded the design and construction of the road relocation, approximately 3/4 of a mile of new road with two large retaining walls.  Once the road was relocated the airport expansion began in earnest.  The runway was lengthened by 1,700 feet to reach the desired length of 5,500 feet.  In conjunction with this project the runway received new lighting and navigational aids, the older portion of the runway was overlaid with new asphalt, and the aircraft parking apron was demolished and replaced with a larger, more usable apron.

With the primary infrastructure in place, the City continued their efforts of establishing a first-class facility.  In 2002, a partial parallel taxi way was added which eliminated dangerous back-taxiing to Runway 32 and increased the capacity of the airport to handle additional operations.  In 2003, a security perimeter fence was added to secure the airport and discourage wildlife incursions on the runway.  In 2004, an advanced micro-overlay was applied to the apron to extend its working life.  The apron is subject to heavy static loads and fueling operations.  The micro-overlay was designed to be resistant to fuel, UV rays and skid.

Most recently, in 2006, the City began a project to develop additional hangar facilities.  Due to increased use of the airport, the City acknowledged a need for providing hangars for aircraft based at the Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport.  In late 2006 and early 2007, an eight-unit nested T-hangar was constructed with motorized bi-fold doors.  New aprons were also constructed to serve the T-hangar.  The airport is currently served by a 1,700 square foot terminal building, a 60 x 60 foot maintenance hangar and an eight-bay T-hangar capable of housing most single engine aircraft as well as many small twin-engine aircraft.

The airport offers GPS (global positioning satellite) approaches to both runway ends. (RW 14 GPS Approach, RW 32 GPS Approach.) Navigational aids for pilots coming to the Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport include REILS (runway end identification lights) and PAPIs (precision approach path indicators) as well as a large rotating beacon.  The airport is manned Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM and also on Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.  Both 100LL and Jet-A fuel is available.

The City of Greenville through partnerships with the FAA and ALDOT has developed the Mac Crenshaw Memorial Airport into a multi-functional airport capable of serving the business community and fostering economic development.  The airport is also used heavily for agricultural purposes as well as for life flights from local hospitals. 

Mac Crenshaw Airport Photo from air.jpg