Anniston, AL – This past weekend, the energy was high at the Anniston Airport as Anniston Aviation, the Fixed Base Operator (FBO), played a key role in welcoming travelers for the Jack Link’s 500 in Talladega. Crews for sixteen drivers touched down at the Anniston airfield, where they were met with top-tier service by the FBO’s linemen and employees.
The Calhoun Journal spoke with Scott Wallace, owner of Anniston Aviation, who shared some impressive details about the facility. “This year’s race traffic has dramatically picked up and we are excited to host all of the travelers and teams going to the race,” Wallace said. The airport boasts a 7,000-foot by 150-foot asphalt runway and a sprawling half-million square feet of ramp space to accommodate a wide variety of aircraft. Situated on roughly 650 to 680 acres, the airfield is capable of handling everything from small private planes to 727’s and 737’s airliners, C-17 Globemaster’s, cargo and freight jets, and multiple military aircraft.
Anniston Aviation isn’t just busy during race weekends. Throughout the year, the FBO supports a range of aviation needs, including critical military operations. Blackhawk helicopters, C-17 cargo planes, and other military aircraft regularly utilize the runway. Commercial operations also benefit, as cargo and freight airlines use the facilities to supply major manufacturing plants like Honda and Kia, helping to keep production lines moving efficiently.
Wallace highlighted the FBO’s readiness to support such diverse operations. “We have a maintenance facility on site, 15 thousand gallons of jet fuel, and 10 thousand gallons of aviation gasoline available in our storage tanks, but we are working towards upgrades to hold more fuel in the future,” he explained. The airport also features 30+ rental hangars for private or commercial owners, along with 24 to 30 exterior tie-downs for parked aircraft. As a non-controlled airfield, pilots can coordinate their arrivals and departures directly with Birmingham or Atlanta air traffic control, keeping operations smooth and safe.
The City of Anniston owns the airport and its property, leasing a portion to Anniston Aviation to handle daily operations. While the city remains responsible for grounds, facility and runway maintenance, Anniston Aviation takes pride in creating a welcoming environment for pilots and passengers alike. Wallace added, “Along with fueling their aircraft, we work closely with the pilots that utilize our service and try to make their downtime more enjoyable. We have a comfortable pilots’ lounge with a large-screen TV and recliners to rest in. We also provide private meeting rooms that some of the pilots utilize to create flight plans and submit them to the FAA. When the military uses our airfield, they will often use the meeting rooms for flight/operations briefings and debriefing.”
Building on the FBO’s strong connection with the community, Office Manager Lena Gutierrez shared, “We are a community-friendly airfield and love for local residents to stop by and let us show them around. We’ve had families visit for tours where pilots have even allowed them to see inside the plane and cockpit. The military crews are also wonderful with the community and very encouraging when they are not conducting operations.” Gutierrez emphasized that hosting events and engaging with visitors is a key part of their mission.
By the end of the busy race weekend, Wallace reported a resounding success. Anniston Aviation comfortably accommodated 49 arrivals — with 8 to 10 of those being unscheduled — and dispensed fuel to the aircrafts with no issues. One private charter alone brought over 600 race fans through the airfield, adding to the excitement of the weekend. To top it all off, Wallace said, “On Sunday we catered a large meal from Betty’s BBQ for all the pilots and crew members prior to their departures. It was a huge success, and all of the food was enjoyed as was the company we shared.”
As the season continues, Anniston Aviation looks forward to expanding its services and continuing to provide a welcoming experience for everyone who flies through.
