OXFORD, Miss. — From open-cockpit monoplanes that sound like floating Weed Eaters to multipassenger, twin-engine jets roaring toward the speed of sound, aircraft using the University-Oxford Airport at Clegg Field provide a boost to the local economy and a convenience for travelers.
Publicly owned and operated by the University of Mississippi, the airport — identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as UOX –averages some 20 aircraft operations daily, but the number soars during Ole Miss football weekends.
“During Eli’s (Manning) senior year, playing against LSU, we had close to 200 planes fly in,” said Lloyd “Mac” McManus, airport manager. “The planes were circling like vultures waiting to land that was an exception. For normal games, we see about 100 flights.”
Located 452 feet above sea level and with one airstrip, UOX operates two runways. Runway 9 serves flights entering from the west, and Runway 27 accommodates those flying in from the east. Approximately 35 aircraft, which are either stored in hangers or tied down on the ramps, call UOX home.
Max Hipp, president and CEO of the Oxford Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce, described UOX as an economic generator for the local community.
“More and more flights are coming into Oxford,” Hipp said. “That generates additional tax revenues from rental cars, restaurants and lodging operations. The airport is a definite plus for Oxford.”
The airport, which has been operational for more than 40 years, has experienced a dramatic increase in recent years in corporate traffic, McManus said. From July 2006 to June 2007, UOX logged more than 1,400 corporate flight operations, representing nearly half of the airport’s total flights, he said. Whirlpool is one corporate customer.
“Most of these visitors are from our corporate offices in Benton Harbor, Michigan,” said Dicky Walters, Oxford Whirlpool plant manager. “Having the airport located here is extremely beneficial to the Oxford Division of Whirlpool. The alternatives include Memphis or Tupelo, which are much farther and inconvenient.”
Other local and regional UOX corporate customers include Caterpillar, Sanderson Farms, Mississippi Forestry Commission, Regions Bank and Tennessee Gas Pipeline.
The remaining flight operations at UOX are mainly related to UM, including student transit, alumni events and, of course, football games. McManus attributes the rise in flight operations to increased growth in the surrounding area, as well as updated facilities at UOX.
“The old terminal was like a tin can: hard to heat in the winter and tough to cool in the summer,” McManus said. “It was a real eyesore.”
In 2005, UOX opened its Rayner Terminal, a 6,000-plus square foot facility. The $1.2 million terminal features a generous passenger lobby, conference rooms, administrative space, pilot lounges and additional exterior restrooms for nighttime use by visitors to Clegg Field.
The FAA has also recently funded more than $12.5 million in improvements, including a 900-foot runway expansion project. Future safety improvements include a parallel taxiway and instrument landing system. UOX has also recently set up a temporary control tower and a new digital automated weather system.
“For those flying in to Ole Miss and Oxford, the airport is their first impression,” McManus said. “It’s important for us to successfully operate and maintain a quality airport.”
With an annual budget of $1.4 million, UOX is fully funded through its fuel sales, according to McManus. Last year, UOX pumped more than 293,000 gallons of Jet A, a kerosene-based fuel, and nearly 57,000 gallons of AvGas, a low-level, high-octane fuel.
“We try to stay competitive with our fuel costs,” McManus said. “Talking to pilots is a sure fire way to monitor prices.”
These discussions may also be key to increased flight operations to and from UOX. “Good customer service is key,” McManus said. “Our employees are dependable and have a really good attitude, and people flying into Oxford recognize and appreciate the extra efforts.”
For more information, contact McManus at 662-234-2036.