Fairbury Airport Manager Inducted In Aviation Hall Of Fame
This year, Sandi Decker, Manager of the Fairbury Municipal Airport was inducted into the Nebraska Aviation Hall of Fame. The induction took place during the 35th Annual NE Aviation Symposium, held at the Crowne Plaza, Kearney
Decker holds a private pilot’s license and once owned an aircraft. She has spent countless hours promoting aviation, organizing aviation events and supporting legislation.
Decker has been active with the local airport authority, serving the board for 45 plus years. She maintained a watchful eye on the airports’ improvement projects over the years, providing guidance to the consultant firms assigned engineers.
Many of Nebraska’s airports have a group of local pilots that form a “flying” organization, hosting learning events, just for fun competitive events and “flyovers” to honor a fallen pilot or member. Decker has been heavily involved with the airport’s local pilot group, rarely missing an event. The airport has hosted State Fly-In’s, with Decker coordinating many of those events.
As a journalist, Sandi has had opportunities to experience some first-person activities. Night vision goggles on a low-level course, parachuting, mock mass casualty and a ride in a F-4 Phantom jet, something only a few women in Nebraska have experienced.
Nebraska has numerous state aviation organizations known across the entire state. One of the more active, long-time organizations is NAAO (Nebraska Association of Airport Officials). Decker is the longest serving member of NAAO, having been associated with the organization for decades, holding various offices, currently serving as vice president. She has worked tirelessly with the Nebraska Legislature to direct funds to the Aeronautics Division for the purpose of funding state airport projects. This advocacy was directed both toward the Legislature and Executive branches of our state government.
