Red Oak Airport Manager Gail Ernst to retire

The Red Oak Municipal Airport is looking for a new airport manager. 

Gail Ernst is retiring at the end of December.

Ernst, who has worked at the airport for six-and-a-half years, will take time to focus on his home life and spending time with his daughter, Libby. 

“I’ve got a lot of projects around the house that’ll probably take me through most of at least next year, if not into the following year,” Ernst said. “Libby’s a junior this year, so she’ll be a senior next year. We’ve got some military colleges to visit and some state colleges to visit for her to make some determinations about what she wants to do. We’ve already visited the Naval Academy, we’re trying to go to West Point next month, and hopefully the Air Force Academy at the end of this year, first part of next year. They all want Libby to come [there]. West Point’s trying to recruit Libby as a defense player in volleyball, so that’s good.”

Along with taking his daughter to visit schools, he wants to have time to sit down and advise her about her future, as well as spend time with her before she leaves for college. 

“She’s got some decisions to make about where she wants to go and I want to be there to help her, advise her and stuff like that,” Ernst said. “She’s only got a year and a half left at home with us and then she’s off to college, so as much time as I can [to] spend with our daughter.”

During his time as manager, Ernst said he, along with help, has been able to make significant improvements to the airport. 

Ernst, his wife Joni and his daughter repainted the interior of the airport. The interior also has new carpet and tile. 

The airport has also seen improvements such as a door with a keypad, hangar lighting, runway rehabbing, a brand new furnace and restriping. 

“It’s become a really nice front door for our community,” Ernst said.

While Ernst said it’s a one-man job, he receives a lot of help from the patrons of the airport and great support from the city. 

“We’re very well supported by the city and the city council,” Ernst said, “They understand that this is a great asset for the city and a good front door. People come in and they shop here, they eat here, they stay in our hotels just by virtue of passing through our airport.”

Ernst said the airport currently has somewhere between 20-30 landings a day during nice weather. 

“It’s been a really fun time out here at the airport. It’s a great job,” Ernst said. “Like I said, it’s fully supported by the city. I’ve got a great boss, whether it’s Brad, who I work for all the time, or if the commission’s in quorum.”