The Charles A. Chase Memorial Field (44B) in Dover Foxcroft, Maine, was almost lost to the general aviation flying community and replaced with a solar farm.
In 2019, the town fathers wanted to replace the rural airfield with a solar farm. Since the airport had never received federal grants, local officials thought this would be an easy task.
They didn’t take the local general aviation community into account.
What happened in this little town is a blueprint for how to save a general aviation airport.
More than 60 years ago, Charles A. Chase Jr. was killed in a plane crash at the family-owned grass field. Since then, the Chase family considered it a memorial to Charles. As time went on the family donated the airport to the town of Dover Foxcroft with the understanding that it would remain an airport in perpetuity.
When Charles’s grandchildren got wind of the town’s plan for deactivating the airport, they were upset. Many of the citizens of Dover Foxcroft supported them in convincing the town fathers to reverse their decision.
At a hearing on the proposal in November 2019, more than 100 general aviation pilots and aviation enthusiasts turned out to plead the case for not shutting down the field.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association also got involved, writing a strong letter of support with reasons to keep the airport. AOPA officials strongly suggested the town find another, more appropriate location for the solar farm.
Additionally, several Maine flying clubs organized a fly-in to show support for the airport prior to the hearing.
All these folks were not opposed to solar energy, but felt the town could still have this airport and find another spot for the solar farm.
As a result of all this grassroots support, the town decided to find a different location for the solar farm. This resulted in a win/win situation.
If it had not been for general aviation community banding together with the Chase family, another general aviation airport may have been lost.
And what an airport it is.
The well-established grass strip (9/27) is 2,926 feet long in a beautiful rural setting surrounded by trees.
The airfield is one mile southwest of the business district of the town of Dover Foxcroft, the largest town in Piscataquis County and the county seat. It has a population of about 4,500. This is an area of Maine made famous by the Whoopie Pie and that notorious nonalcoholic beverage called Moxie.
The public airfield is well maintained as the turf is very solid and compact and the grass mowed short. A large Hyster roller is used to help maintain the field.
When winter comes, they don’t plow the field. Airport officials have an agreement with a local ski club to run its snow machines back and forth on the runway to make it easy for planes with skis to operate on the field.
There is a small wooden building that serves as the FBO with “rustic” toilet facilities. Next to this are several picnic tables that can be used by those who fly in with their own packed lunch. Close to this spot is a wide grassy ramp area for tying down several planes, as well as space for tents for overnight camping.
CTAF frequency is 122.9. There is no fuel or repair service here. However, Dexter Regional Airport (1B0) is only 10 nm to the south for fuel, and Bangor International Airport (KBGR) is 29 nm southeast.
After you arrive at this rural airfield, if you feel the need for more civilization, such as stores and restaurants or even a hospital emergency room, call Ed’s taxi at 207-717-6473. You also can call the field’s manager, Kole Stevens, at 207-279-0156.
Structures at the ends of the runway . . . REAL bad idea. 727 landed short at LGA some years back, hit the strong steel supports for the rabbit, shredded the airplane and there were many, many casualties from an otherwise survivable accident. What happened to the FAA requirement for clear space and overruns at runway ends?
It’s nice to see the airport saved. Please remember this when they try to take your local airport. A saved airport is a great opportunity to take students ( short field and soft field takeoffs and landings ) and family and friends and show them what they might not even know was there and how the closure would impact aviation and the communities these airports serve.
It might even be an airport you need when you have problems with your aircraft but let’s hope that never happens.
I see solar popping up all around and clearing trees to put up solar panels is expensive. At my field the town put solar panels at the approach and departure end of the runways and one has to fly over then to land. Dangerous for sure. Add to the pot that the town has not connected them for the last three years and I am sure the panels are made in China. American companies can not compete because of politics!
Who are the Town Fathers and what authority do they have?
They are the selectmen and the airport now belongs to the the town of Dover Foxcroft.