Naming of airfield after key family gets council nod
‘Bristol Field at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport’ approved
The airfield at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport will soon bear the name of a family instrumental in the creation and growth of aviation in Fort Morgan.
Members of the Fort Morgan City Council supported a proposal last week to name the airfield for the Bristol family, following a short film which detailed the contributions by family members Arlo, Eldred and Merle Bristol. The proposal to name the airfield Bristol Field at Fort Morgan Municipal Airport passed by a 6-0 vote, with City Councilman Jon Kaper absent.
Members of the Fort Morgan Airport Advisory Board have discussed the naming of the airfield during several previous meetings, and in coordination with Public Works Director Brent Nation and with support from Fixed Based Operator Kyle Scott.
“This concept was brought to me by our airport manager and from airport advisory board members,” Nation said. “This is something they were very passionate about. We don’t have a name on the actual field, and so it seems very appropriate.”
Merle Bristol founded Bristol Flying Service at the airport and operated the business until 1973, when it was sold to Deloris and Jerry Carpenter. A short film on the background of the Bristol family indicated many residents of Fort Morgan could attribute their beginnings in air flight to the Bristols.
Attending the city council meeting was Karen Weatherby, a descendent of the Bristol family.
“It is an honor to my father , and the whole Bristol family,” she said. “The airport was our life.”
An official dedication will be held Sept. 10 dur
ing the “Just Plane Crazy: Fly-in and Air Expo”.
Local residents will be noticed of the fly-in through insertion of an event flier in residential utility billings, Fort Morgan Economic Developer Sandy Engle previously told members of the Fort Morgan Airport Advisory Board.
While a number of activities are planned for 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the fly-in, a schedule of events may not be provided, the airport board heard, in an attempt to accomplish objectives of introducing the community to all the airport has to offer. The intent was to expand and evolve the flyin to attract more participation, Engle previously said.
Some of the planned activities for the fly-in are still being negotiated, another member of the board has said. An example given was Chamber of Commerce Director Andrew Stieb working toward having food trucks on site.
While discussion at a previous airport board meeting involved safety concerns, those seem to have been mostly resolved.
Some of the other additions to the fly-in could be a band, event emcee, skydiving, drones and an event for children. Alan Dahms, chairman of the Fort Morgan Airport Advisory Board, has revealed that the Platte Valley Band could be involved, indicating that band member Chuck Morgan had inquired with him about participating.
“I’ve been considering how that might work,” Dahms said. “They could maybe play some patriotic music around the event.”
Those familiar with the airport will notice a new addition, Nation previously said.
“We have installed a flagpole, have the flag flying and a memorial plaque will be installed,” he said. “We will have it installed before the ceremony. In next year’s budget, we will plan to work on the airport signage.”
Both the signage and the plaque will bear the Bristol name.
“I think this is exciting to honor people who were involved a long time ago with the airport,” Mayor Lyn Deal said. “I’m looking forward to the dedication.”