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The new hangar is just bones now, but will soon be ready to house planes. James Carnes | CBN
By Jennifer R. Carnes
Copper Basin News
The Kearny Airport has a new tenant.
Doug Riggins, a pilot and contractor, has been working on a new hangar at the Kearny Airport and has plans to relocate his two planes from Show Low.
The hangar is big enough to house three planes, but his plan is for two.
“One is a restoration project,” Doug said, explaining that the milder weather in Kearny means he can work on his plane in the winter. It’s too cold in Show Low.
“My wife and I are going to be snowbirds,” Doug told theCopper Basin News. The couple purchased a home in Kearny but will go back and forth to Show Low until Doug officially retires within the next year. Mrs. Riggins is spending most of her time in Kearny, Doug said, adding with a laugh that he’s pretty sure he won’t be able to drag her back to the cold weather.
When asked how he discovered Kearny, Doug explained that he spent several years flying from Show Low to Tucson, Casa Grande and “other points south.” His path took him over Kearny many times; he noticed the runway, but never really had time to explore. When his wife retired and began looking for a warmer climate, they decided to explore Kearny.
“We just loved the place,” he said.
They met Dan Radcliffe at the Kearny Airport, calling him the “Kearny Ambassador at the Airport.” There were no open hangars available and since Doug owns a construction company, he began negotiations with the Town of Kearny to build one.
The Kearny Airport is within walking distance of Doug’s home, a selling point that was high on his list of priorities.
He calls Kearny the “best kept secret in the aviation community.” On nice weekends, he said, there isn’t room to park a plane at the Kearny Airport because of the pilots who fly in from all over Arizona. They fly in, park their planes and head over to the West End Cafe for breakfast or lunch. Pilots often look for airports with nearby restaurants. “Kearny has that,” he said.
Doug is looking forward to retirement and completion of his new hangar. The hangar, he said, is going to allow him to transition from construction to airplane maintenance.
We welcome you to Kearny, Doug, and wish you the best of luck!
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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