Category: News

Blountville, Tenn. – The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will be hosting a “Pop-Up” PreCheck Enrollment event at Tri-Cities Airport (TRI), December 7-11.

The temporary enrollment center will be open for interviews Monday through Friday from 8 AM-Noon and 1-5 PM. The enrollment center will be located just inside the main entrance of the terminal.

TSA PreCheck is an expedited security screening program that allows passengers to not remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts and light jackets. According to TSA, 100% of TSA PreCheck-approved passengers waited less than five minutes in October 2020.

Individuals interested in TSA PreCheck, should submit an application online and schedule an appointment through https://universalenroll.dhs.gov/programs/precheck. To complete the application process, individuals will need to bring documentation proving identity and citizenship status, such as a valid U.S. passport. The in-person appointment includes fingerprinting for a background check. The application fee for TSA PreCheck is $85 and can be paid by credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check. Cash and personal checks are not accepted. TSA PreCheck membership is good for five years.

The “Pop-Up” enrollment center will only be available at the airport during the dates and times listed.

Blountville, Tenn. – Community leaders were on site today at Tri-Cities Airport to officially launch the Aerospace Park site as ready for future vertical development.

Site construction is substantially complete with only finishing grading, final topsoil and seeding along with site access roadway construction to be completed by summer 2021. The majority of the site is build-ready and open for business even as the final construction will be coming to a close.

Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) staff continue to heavily promote the availability of the site to target industries. The completion of each phase of Aerospace Park development has offered additional promotional benefits and recognition for the site.

“Aerospace Park would not be in this final stage of development if it were not for the support of our funding partners,” said TCAA Chairman Dr. Jon Smith. “It has been an honor to be a part of the cities and counties coming together on this significant, regional economic development project.”

TCAA Executive Director Gene Cossey added his appreciation to the Aerospace Park funding partners. “The support from our community, state and federal partners has been very important to us,” said Cossey. “That support has enabled us to complete the site and have a great product to market within the aerospace industry.”

Once the site access roads, finished grading work, topsoil and seeding is complete in summer 2021, TCAA will seek certification of the 160-acre site through the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s Select Tennessee Site program.

Site completion and certification will bolster Aerospace Park marketing efforts, according to Mark Canty, TCAA Director of Business Development. “Expanding the footprint of the current certified acreage of Aerospace Park will allow us to more effectively promote the site, compete for large projects, and increase our ability to bring quality jobs to Northeast Tennessee,” said Canty.

The TCAA’s target industries for Aerospace Park include maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations, completion and delivery centers, passenger to freighter conversion centers, and manufacturers.

According to Canty, aircraft manufacturing and MRO operations are projected to experience significant growth over the coming decade, and recent trends have seen a high percentage of domestic growth occurring in the southeastern United States.

Blountville, Tenn. – The certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its 2019 Fiscal Year Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR).

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. This marks the 21^st consecutive year the Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has achieved the award.

An award of Financial Reporting Achievement was also presented to Rene Weber, Tri-Cities Airport Authority’s Director of Finance, for his role in preparing the award-winning CAFR.

“We are honored to be recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for our Annual Financial Report,” said Gene Cossey, TCAA Executive Director. “I especially appreciate the effort and attention to detail that Rene Weber and the finance staff exhibit daily when managing the Airport’s finances.”

The CAFR was judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate TCAA’s financial story.

Blountville, Tenn. – The Tri-Cities Airport Authority (TCAA) has partnered with Hands On! Discovery Center to bring the exciting world of airports alive for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

A new interactive airport component, sponsored by the TCAA, has been added to the Draw Alive exhibit at Hands On! Discovery Center. Draw Alive is a dynamic and interactive exhibit that combines art with technology bringing two-dimensional drawings to life. The new personalized experience begins when a guest chooses a flight-themed template to design and colorize. Options include airplanes, helicopters, and a hot air balloon. The colored image is then scanned into a wall-sized environment. Guests watch as their unique creations take flight and move about the sky in the digital environment.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Tri-Cities Airport and bring this fantastic new experience to the discovery center,” said Andy Marquart, CEO of Hands On! Discovery Center. “Draw Alive has been one of our biggest hits since it was installed and now it will be even more exciting and interactive for visitors of all ages.”

“The airport is excited about this partnership and our sponsorship of the Draw Alive exhibit,” said Gene Cossey, TCAA Executive Director. “Not only will children, teens and adults get to have fun watching their own plane take flight, but it may encourage a number of kids to become interested in a career in the aviation industry. We are also looking forward to exploring other ways we can partner with Hands On! to bring the science of the aviation industry to our community.”

The Draw Alive exhibit is located in the Scheu Family Exhibit Hall in the General Shale Brick Learning Center at Hands On! Discovery Center. Please visit visithandson.org for information regarding hours, special schedule, and health and safety precautions.

Link to video:  https://vimeo.com/454822250/98c6c6cea4

Link to photos: https://bit.ly/3buwexW

Blountville, Tenn. – Aviation and history enthusiasts can view, tour and/or ride in a World War II, B-17 aircraft at Tri-City Aviation between September 8-13, 2020. The Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum’s “Flying Legends of Victory” Tour, along with several displays will bring history to life on the ramp of Tri-Cities Aviation.

The B-17G Flying Fortress is named “Sentimental Journey” and was built in 1944. The aircraft is one of five B-17s in the world that is still flying out of the almost 13,000 produced from 1936 to 1945. 8,000 of the B-17s were lost in combat. The “Sentimental Journey” was originally manufactured and delivered to the U.S. Army Air Force for war service in March 1945.

Several other aircraft and booths will be on display throughout the week and weekend. Rides are available in various aircraft including the B-17, and cockpit tours are available when the B-17 is not flying. See schedule and contact information below.

Foodies will also have a reason to visit as local food trucks will offer sweet and savory treats throughout the celebration. See schedule below.

Media are invited to Tri-City Aviation for the arrival of the B-17 at 11 AM on Tuesday, September 8.

AIRCRAFT on DISPLAY & RIDE SCHEDULE:

Rides must be booked through the website link or onsite: 
https://www.azcaf.org/location/bristol-tn-tour-stop/#airbase-flights-section

AIRCRAFT RIDES	TUE.	WED.	THURS.	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
B-17 Flying Fortress Sentimental Journey	2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (GT)	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (GT)	10:00 AM – Noon (F) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)	10:00 AM – Noon (F) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)	10:00 AM – Noon (F) 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (GT)

FOOD TRUCK SCHEDULE:

*Schedule and food trucks are subject to change.

FOOD TRUCK	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY
Joe Bill’s Kitchen					2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Me and K’s	Noon – 6:00 PM		10:00 AM – 6:00 PM	2:00 PM – 4:00 PM		2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Stop, Drop & Pop	2:00 PM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Trucky Cheese	11:00 AM – 6:00 PM	11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Additional Aircraft Display & Ride Schedule:

AIRCRAFT	SAT. 9/12/20	SUN. 9/13/20
Flying Service at Tri-Cities	423-279-0865	423-279-0865
Sevier County Choppers	865-453-5867	865-453-5867

Primary Contact:

Pam Phillips
Tri-City Aviation
pphillips@tricityaviation.com
(423) 325-6261

Secondary Contact:
Kristi Haulsee
Tri-Cities Airport Authority
Director of Marketing & Air Service Development
O: 423-325-6032/C: 423-802-4086

Blountville, Tenn. – Tri-Cities Airport, along with mutual aid agencies in and around Sullivan and Washington Counties, held a mock disaster drill at the Airport Wednesday, June 10. The exercise took place at the cargo ramp on the south side of the airfield.

The drill simulated a mock crash of a 76-seat regional jet en route to Tri-Cities Airport. For this exercise, the Airport teams simulated 56 passengers and four crew members, involved in an incident when the left main landing gear failed. The aircraft slide off the runway, rolled and broke into two separate pieces with one section catching on fire. Several people are ejected from the aircraft and injuries range from minor cuts and scrapes to serious trauma with some fatalities. The Air Traffic Control Tower called an Alert 3 and the on-duty Airport public safety officers responded and called for mutual aid support.

The exercise was completed on a smaller scale than in the past to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. A limited number of volunteer victims were given verbal instructions on how they would be treated and were then asked to walk to their assigned area. A number of simulated victims were in place for responders to assess. Responders also worked to extinguish a bus used to simulate an aircraft fire.

Held every three years, this federally-mandated exercise is designed as a training exercise for Airport and airline personnel and mutual aid agencies. Emergency management agencies from Sullivan and Washington Counties, Sullivan County Health Department, fire departments and emergency medical services throughout the Tri-Cities participated in the exercise. A team of evaluators uses several criteria to assess the effectiveness of the exercise, including personnel mobilization, command and control of the incident, communications between agencies, responsiveness of the emergency crews, and following established procedure.

Blountville, Tenn. – Tri-Cities Airport will conduct an Airport emergency exercise Wednesday, June 10, from 10 AM to 12 PM.

Purpose:
This is a federally-mandated exercise designed to promote emergency preparedness, test the Airport’s emergency operation plan, train personnel in emergency management duties and coordinate the efforts of local emergency service agencies responding to an aircraft accident or incident.

Media Assembly Point:
Address: Air Cargo Center off Hamilton Road
100 Cargo Center Dr., Blountville, TN 37617

Parking: Park in front of cargo terminal and walk through gate Z.
No media vehicles will be allowed in exercise area.

PRESS CREDENTIALS MUST BE PRESENTED TO SECURITY AT THE GATE
CHECK IN AND AT THE DESIGNATED MEDIA AREA

Schedule:
Participant assembly time 9:30 AM
Burn bus prepared 9:30 AM
Victims staged 9:45 AM
Exercise begins 10:00 AM

• Due to COVID-19, this exercise has been limited to help prevent its spread. We will have a limited number of volunteer victims who will not be touched and will be given verbal instructions on how they would be treated and will be asked to walk to their assigned area. There will be a number of simulated victims in place for responders to assess. We will also have a bus burning to simulate and aircraft fire. Tri-Cities Airport responders will be working with local mutual aid agencies to distinguish the fire.

Scenario:
At approximately 9:00 AM, a 76-passenger regional jet en route to Tri-Cities Airport crashes upon landing when the left main landing gear fails and the aircraft slides off the runway. The aircraft then rolled, breaking into two separate pieces with one section catching on fire. The Air Traffic Control Tower calls an Alert 3. The on-duty Airport public safety officers respond and call for mutual aid support. Sixty souls were on board, 56 passengers and four crew. Several people are ejected from the aircraft and injuries range from minor cuts and scrapes to serious trauma with some fatalities.

Media Notes:
• Follow CDC guidelines of social distancing and wearing face coverings.
• Hand-carried cameras only; media vehicles will not be allowed on the airfield.
• During the exercise, members of the media are asked to refrain from talking to or approaching any of the direct participants.
• Media are requested to stay in the designated media area during the drill. This is for safety purposes. Every effort will be made to provide as much access as possible while maintaining the integrity of the drill.
• If an actual emergency occurs at the Airport, the exercise will be cancelled or placed on hold, depending on the situation.
• The Airport will remain open and operational during the exercise. Daily operations should function as usual.
• This exercise will focus on emergency response and will not simulate how the airline or airport would work with family, friends, and onlookers. In an actual emergency, media would not be allowed inside the accident perimeter.
• Dress accordingly as the drill is conducted outdoors.

Exercise Objectives:
• To exercise and evaluate the Airport’s emergency plan.
• To familiarize mutual aid agencies with Airport facilities, staff and emergency procedures.
• To provide training to Airport employees and local emergency responders in a mass injury and casualty incident.
• To demonstrate the ability to prioritize and use jurisdictional resources and Assets for maximum effectiveness during response operations.
• To demonstrate the capability to conduct rapid situational assessment.

Blountville, Tenn. – The Tri-Cities Airport has discovered the airport website and hundreds of other airport websites across the country, are being partially copied onto airport “guide” websites.

These websites contain false and inaccurate information about the airports and airport services. Many of them also appear to offer hotel booking, shuttle services, car rental and other services not directly associated with the airports. The websites use unauthorized images directly from the airport website to make the guide appear legitimate.

“We urge passengers to be very cautious and to make sure they are on the actual airport website when searching for air travel information,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority executive director. “Travelers should also be vigilant and only conduct travel related business through the actual airport website, directly with the airlines, rental car companies, or through reputable third-party vendors.”

Organizations within airport communities have also received emails from these airport guide websites asking for the organization to link to their website.

The official website for the Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) is triflight.com. The only third-party vendor on the triflight.com website is airline booking engine, OnPeak. Allegiant is currently the only advertiser on triflight.com.

Blountville, Tenn. – Beginning the week of February 17, Tailwind will begin construction on a new café area and remodeling the restaurant in the Tri-Cities Airport concourse.

The first phase will include constructing a new café area next to gate 4 and is expected to be completed by mid-March. As part of this phase of construction, the concourse flight information display system (FIDS) will be relocated during the week of Feb. 17, and unavailable to passengers. After passing through security clearance, passengers will only be able to access flight schedules through their airline’s app or triflight.com.

The second phase, which is to remodel the restaurant, will begin in mid-March. The updated restaurant area will include a new kitchen, additional seating and better flow for passenger use.

Food service in the concourse will be limited during the construction of the new restaurant. The Tailwind restaurant located in the main terminal will remain open and continue to offer its full menu during construction.

“We are excited that Tailwind will be expanding their services and offerings in the concourse area of the airport,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority executive director. “We expect passengers will be pleased with the changes.”

Updates will be provided as construction progresses.

Blountville, TN – American Airlines will begin dual-class service on flights to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) beginning June 4, 2020. The aircraft will have 65 seats, nine of which will be first-class seating. This replaces the current single-class service aircraft with 44 seats.

Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) passengers have embraced the new service to DFW, leading to the increased aircraft capacity and improved service.

“We are proud to add more seats between Tri-Cities and our largest hub, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport,” said Philippe Puech, Senior Manager of Network Planning at American. “This increased commitment highlights the successful partnership between American Airlines, the Tri-Cities Airport Authority and the Tri-Cities community.”

 “The airport has seen a remarkable increase in passengers throughout the last year,” said Gene Cossey, Tri-Cities Airport Authority executive director. “The addition of the DFW flight is a huge contributor to this year’s success. In December, our passenger numbers were up 24 percent with 10 percent growth for 2019.”

TRI finished 2019 with more than 448,000 total passengers visiting the area and accessing the world.

 “We are happy to see that our community and visitors are embracing the new service on American Airlines,” said Gene Cossey, TCAA executive director. “The Dallas-Fort Worth flight, and continuing our work to increase service, are vital to the region’s business and tourism communities.”

“As a business owner with clients all over the world, I need to be able to access the major airports to get to my clients faster,” said Scott Emerine, Branding Iron Advertising, Marketing and Public Relations co-founder and co-owner. “I have several clients in

Dallas. In fact, that is where I am from. I now have the freedom to quickly connect with my customers in Dallas and throughout the West Coast. Flying TRI is fast, efficient, and cost effective. In today’s fast-paced business environment, having the direct flight to DFW really enables me to get business done from the Tri-Cities region. I do not need to relocate. I am just one flight way from anywhere in the world I need to be.”

American Airlines offers nonstop service to Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth from TRI, providing almost 300 one-stop connections. Flights can be booked on the www.triflight.com booking engine or directly with American at www.aa.com.