Thursday, January 26, 2012

Proximity to stadium helps snag jet traffic

Greenwood airport director Ralph Hill expects as many as 45 aircraft to use hangars at the airport for the Super Bowl, and even more could land to drop off passengers for the big game.
PHOTO BY SCOTT ROBERSON

Corporate jets and private planes will fly into Green­wood Municipal Airport from as far away as Canada in the days leading up to the Super Bowl.


News and security helicopters will touch down and lift off in Greenwood because the helipad downtown will be too busy.


The city-run airport caters mainly to recreational pilots and typically sees two or three jets land a day but expects to play host to as many jets as it can pack in next week. Air traffic controllers will monitor the comings and goings.


Airport director Ralph Hill has been making plans with the Super Bowl Host Committee for weeks because the Greenwood airport is one of the closest small airports to downtown.


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