Perry County Publishes Key Details for Wendell H. Ford Airport

Perry County has formalized essential operational and contact information for Wendell H. Ford Airport, providing a practical reference for pilots, local firms, and emergency services. The county-hosted page lists the airport’s street address at 1300 Terminal Road, Chavies, KY, and a local contact number, 606-439-5140. The airport is open to the public and is maintained as a local air access point roughly 10 miles northwest of Hazard.

Operational details on the county page include that the field operates without a control tower and uses CTAF/UNICOM frequency 122.7 for traffic advisories. The resource also notes automated weather reporting is available via AWOS/ASOS with frequencies listed on the page, and that airport attendance is provided daily from 0800 until dusk. The airport’s physical aids include runway lighting, a segmented circle, a Precision Approach Path Indicator (PAPI), and Runway End Identifier Lights (REIL), all of which support visual approaches and improve safety margins for general aviation operations.

That combination of information matters locally because small, county-run airports serve multiple economic and public-safety functions. Perry County’s page highlights the airport’s role in providing regional access to businesses in and around Hazard and in supporting emergency services. For local manufacturers, contractors, and service firms that rely on fast regional travel or aerial delivery, having vetted contact and communications data reduces friction and can shorten lead times. For emergency planners, a single, authoritative source for hours, frequencies, and navigational aids simplifies incorporation of the airport into response and evacuation plans.

There are trade-offs to note. Attendance limited to daylight hours may affect ground services and staffing for time-sensitive missions, even though lighting and visual aids are present. Maintaining reliable weather reporting and communications is important for operational continuity; the county’s upkeep of the information page improves transparency but will require ongoing updates to reflect any changes to frequencies, hours, or on-field equipment.

In the longer run, small public airports like Wendell H. Ford can strengthen rural connectivity and resilience, but they also face funding and maintenance pressures. Perry County’s centralized listing helps position the airport for better coordination with state and federal programs and gives businesses and emergency responders the details they need to plan around it. For direct inquiries or flight planning, contact the airport at 606-439-5140 or consult the county’s airport page at perrycounty.ky.gov/services/Pages/Wendell-Ford-Airport-Info.aspx.