MAI, the Friendly Marianna, FL Airport

Terminal of Marianna, FL airport
The dramatic reduction of personal flying has caused many small airports to scale back services. Often refueling can only be accomplished with self-service equipment that relies on those blasted hard-to-read LCD displays, and there is just one person, or even no one, manning the FBO. 

 We refuel, say “hi” to the attendant if there is one, use the facilities for input and output of liquids (i.e., water cooler and restroom), and then take off again.

 But there are still old-style airports. “Old-style” here means that the airport is well-equipped and that there are plenty of people around. It is a pleasure to land there.

 Such is the airport in Marianna, FL. We had visited a few years ago, when the airport was undergoing a major renovation process. On a recent visit we saw the impressive results. 

 The entire airport building has been remodeled, and the facilities — reception area, lounge, snack area, restrooms — are first-rate. And then there are plenty of people around, including the helpful personnel of SkyWarrior, the FBO. The runway is in excellent condition.

 But there is more. Before we flew to Marianna from our home airport in Dallas, we called and asked whether we could have a courtesy car. The airport has such a car, but unfortunately it had already been committed to another visitor. 

 Instead, the manager, Loretta, arranged that Zannah, the woman employee handling fueling on the arrival date, could take us to the hotel, and she herself would pick us up again the next morning. And so it worked out. Altogether a service far beyond the call of duty.

 The airport has covered overnight parking for a reasonable fee. The covers are aligned east-west so the sun never hits the parked aircraft.
Covered parking for our Zenith 601HDS, N314LB
Loretta told us that the airport is a favored refueling stop for pilots coming from the Midwest and then going to Sun and Fun in Lakeland, FL. It’s obvious why they stop at this airport.

 So, thank you, Loretta and Zannah, for your help, and hats off to the people of Marianna who decided that a great airport is worth having and supporting.
Have any questions or feedback about MAI, the Marianna airport, FL? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

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