When Steve Rhule of Mercer and Doug Thomas of Grove City got the OK from Grove City council members in September to operate the Grove City Airport, the partners got to work.

Since then the hangar, the offices and the fuel tanks in Springfield Township have been upgraded and three businesses have taken flight.

Silent Wings Soaring offers glider instruction and rides from spring to fall.

The two also brought in Elbow Street Aviation, which has operated Greenville Municipal Airport for about a year.

"Elbow Street Aviation does plane maintenance, handles the fuel sales to planes and opened up a pilot gift store," Rhule said.

Carol and Rod Paul of Greenville, who own Elbow Street Aviation, became partners with Rhule and Thomas in December.

Having fuel available for pilots has been key in attracting more flight business, Rhule noted.

"Things are picking up nicely here now that we have fuel in. We also have on-site plane maintenance, all of which are part of revitalizing the airport," he said. "We are seeing a much more transit business."

The gift store, called Plane Crazy, features aviation novelties, such as ties, games and statuettes, as well as flight necessities such as maps, charts and logbooks.

"It’s hard to find gifts for pilots, and those interested in flying," said Mrs. Paul. "I wanted to open a store that offered a variety of flight-theme items."

The third and main business at the airport continues to be flight instruction.

A private pilot ground school will be offered starting the second week of February for 10 weeks. Classes will be taught by Rod Paul and will be held Tuesday evenings at Grove City Airport and Thursday evenings at Greenville airport in Greene Township.

The Grove City Airport office has been repainted and recarpeted and a pilot’s lounge, called Buzzy’s Nest after a local pilot, was added with a radio and a flight-planning center.

Though Rhule said he and his partner are still researching grants to help them get the airport into state and federal compliance, they remain optimistic.

"The city has agreed to seal the roof up in the spring," said Rhule.

That would hold the roof for awhile and cost $15,000, far cheaper than paying $50,000 for a new roof.

"We’re getting spiffed back up to community standards," said Rhule. We plan to be in the community for awhile."