ALDOT shuts down Vaiden Field in Perry County, citing multiple violations

The Alabama Department of Transportation has suspended the operating license for Vaiden Field Airport in Perry County, shutting down the airport until issues are resolved. 

An annual inspection conducted in September found that the airport does not meet requirements to maintain their operating license and notes that several violations were repeat findings from previous reports that had not been addressed, according to a letter dated Oct. 20 from the Aeronautics Bureau of ALDOT. 

ALDOT’s findings include missing security infrastructure, evidence of unauthorized vehicle activity on the runway, fire damage near the fuel area and vandalism. The inspection also found that runway markings were faded and trees and Johnson grass had encroached on the airfield’s safety buffer. 

In an interview with the Black Belt News Network, Donald Bennett, chairman of the Perry County Airport and Industrial Authority, said the agency’s newly appointed airport board wanted to get results of the report to assess the facility’s condition and chart a path forward.

“We knew there were going to be some deficiencies,” Bennett said. “We’re working on them. We’ve got grants in the pipeline and a meeting scheduled with ALDOT to lay out our plans.”  

Security upgrades are already underway, including routine patrols by the sheriff’s department, and surveillance cameras are being installed, Bennett said. Vegetation management and tree removal are expected to be completed by the end of the year, he said. 

Bennett emphasized that while the airport currently generates little revenue, the board is leveraging available resources and pursuing public and private funding to restore and expand the facility. 

A site development grant funded through the Delta Regional Authority will assess the economic value of Vaiden Field. The goal of the grant is to position the airport as a hub for industrial growth, aviation training and potentially military contracts. 

“We want Vaiden Field to be a premier place where people can fly in and enjoy the airfield,” Bennett said. “This temporary suspension might actually help us get the attention and funding we need.” 

The long-term vision includes attracting distribution centers, small manufacturers and expanding Marion Military Institute's pilot training program, which is currently operating out of Craig Field in Selma. Bennett also hopes to extend the resurfaced runway from 6,377 feet to 8,000 feet to accommodate larger aircraft and boost fuel sales. 

Bennett noted that the board has already resolved significant financial challenges, including paying off contractors and removing liens that previously hindered development.  

“From the end of 2020 until 2025, we made major strides,” he said. “Now we can grow it.” 

Community members and potential donors interested in supporting the airport’s revitalization can contact Bennett directly at donald.mainstreetmarion@gmail.com. 

“This airfield is a jewel for this area,” Bennett said. “We’re working hard to make sure it becomes a functional and thriving part of Perry County’s future.”