Chamber tours Folsom Field
"Pilots say this is the best airport for its size  in Alabama" - Bob Burns, airport manager

     Alabama Department of Transportation Director Mac Roberts once said, "When a community has an industrial prospect, if the CEO of the company can't land his or her jet at your airport, the community can't land the company for their community". That's not a problem in Cullman County.
     Cullman Airport (Folsom Field) is widely regarded as one of the finest of its size anywhere, according to airport officials. Jointly owned and operated by the city of Cullman and the Cullman County Commission, the airport serves not only as a mere gateway for air traffic, but also as a collaborative opportunity for both the City of Cullman and Cullman County to welcome visitors in style. 
     Recently, the airport opened its doors to the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Existing Business and Industry Committee and its guests, allowing those present a look at the many amenities and services provided at Folsom Field.
The terminal building at Folsom Field. 


A few of the planes that utilize ramp space at Folsom Field.


Susan Reid of Reid Aviation allows the tour group to see part of the CATS testing facility where pilots receive FAA and FCC certification.

     One of the more obvious features of the airport is the terminal itself. The terminal building is roughly 10,000 square-feet in size and is broken up into two levels. On the ground level, the terminal houses a lobby with large picture windows providing an unobstructed view of the runway. Several offices and conference areas are located on the main level as well as classroom space for Wallace State Flight School, whose students fly out of the Cullman Airport daily. Reid Aviation and Guest Aviation are also housed on the main level, providing the flight school with leased planes. Rental planes can also be chartered at Reid and Guest, who also boast an FAA- and FCC-approved testing center for fledgling pilots. A flight simulator will soon round out the services provided by the two aviation companies. 
     Also located on the main level are a pilots' lounge and an extension station of the Vinemont-Providence Fire Department as well as offices for airport personnel.
     "Pilots say this is the best airport for its size in Alabama," said Airport manager Bob Burns. "A lot of people in Cullman County don't know about it ... but we are proud of our facility."
     Upstairs, the terminal has a full-service restaurant that, like the lobby downstairs, is fully surrounded by windows so that diners may watch planes taking off and landing at Folsom Field.
Airport manager Bob Burns gives the Chamber tour group a rundown on the specifications of the airport terminal and runway. 
     Folsom Field is home to Wallace State Flight School, one of only two "Part 141" Flight Programs in Alabama. The only other Part 141 program -  which includes both ground school and flight school -  is located in Ozark, Alabama, and may soon be closing its doors, according to Cullman airport officials. Headed by Bert Mackentepe, the WSC program currently has 90 students enrolled, 20 of which are in ground school.
     "Wallace does a really good job of getting students ready to fly," said Susan Reid of Reid Aviation, who administers FCA and FAA testing to the students. "They have excellent flight instructors."
     Folsom Field is also home to Skydive Alabama, a resident skydiving group that has office space in the airport's main hangar. The main hangar can house up to 15 aircraft, depending on their size. 
     The airport also has three corporate hangars and eight T-Hangar units. Fifty-six tie-down spaces on the ramp are also provided for aircraft. The runway at Folsom Field is 5,500 feet long and is capable of handling aircraft up to and including the
Boeing 737.
Rich Bunis of Wallace State College gets a closer look at some of the aircraft housed in the airport's main hangar.
Folsom Field's NDB Approach Signaling Device, which allows aircraft to approach the airport in limited visibility conditions.
      "We have had large corporate jets land here on many occasions," said airport manager Burns. "They have complemented us on our great facilities here."
     The Cullman Airport at Folsom Field is located in Vinemont. For information on fly-ins, air shows and other airport events, contact the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce at (256) 734-0454 or contact Folsom Field directly at (256) 775-1016. 
The airport restaurant located on the second level of the terminal building.
Winged aircraft are not the only flying
 machines to be found at the Cullman Airport.


A member of the Chamber tour group examines
one of the many planes hangared at Folsom Field.


Airport manager Bob Burns talks with Frankie Glynn of the Cullman Times, Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice-President Alan Arnett, and HealthSouth's Mary Ann Carden.