Governor Sam Brownback Was On Board The Aircraft, Arriving For Dedication Ceremony

A Learjet 45 XR aircraft (pictured) was officially the first jet to land at the newly dedicated Rooks County Regional Airport on September 29, according to a news release from Bombardier. Governor Sam Brownback was on hand to inaugurate the new airport which was built to accommodate business jet travelers.

“We are honored to have been able to participate in the dedication of the Rooks County Regional Airport,” said Ralph Acs, Vice President and General Manager, Learjet, Bombardier Business Aircraft. “I am confident that this Learjet 45 XR aircraft is the first of many to bring people from across the United States and around the world to do business in this part of Kansas,” he said.

Rooks County Airport is the first new airport to be built in Kansas since 1989, according to the county's website. Brownback flew in aboard the Learjet that was the first official bizjet arrival at the airport.

The Aviation Insider blog reports that the new airport has a 5,000 foot concrete runway. The $6 million project consolidated the Stockton and Plainville airports, both of which had turf runways. AIP and local matching funds paid for the construction of the new airport.

(Lear 45 XR image provided by Bombardier)

FMI: www.rookscounty.net/airport_dedication.htm