Page 12 - Volume 15 Number 1

As the operating hours come to a close at Fort Sumter and the sun beams descending towards the horizon, the flag is lowered. Volunteers line up downwind of the flag to prevent it from con- tacting the ground. Two active duty military members lower the flag, while a Park Ranger coordinates the ceremony and moves into position to disconnect the flag and direct its folding.
north and extending south to Hilton Head, Savannah, Georgia, plus the adjacent coastal sea islands. Precise definitions of the boundaries of the Low Country are debatable, but the location of its heart is commonly said to be Charleston.
Many airports and destinations in the Low Country would be inviting to King Air pilots for business or pleasure purposes. Beginning to the north, Myrtle Beach has three such airports; the Class D Grand Strand Airport (CRE), the Class C Myrtle Beach International (MYR), and the smaller, pilot controlled Conway-Horry Co. Airport (HYW). Georgetown Co. Airport (GGE) is also positioned along the coast, nearly equidistant between the Myrtle Beach and Charleston metro areas. Down south, the Class C Savannah-Hilton Head International (SAV) serves as the primary airport for both sides of the state line and is well known for being the home of Gulfstream Aerospace. While it is the Class D Hilton Head Airport (HXD) that puts you right in the center of one of the most popular tourist cities, Charleston is the largest city and metro area in the Low Country by a wide margin. A King Air pilot might find themselves there for any number of reasons and if there is any time for touring, Charleston can fill a few idle hours or keep you on the move for many days.
The pilot inbound to Charleston itself has choices. Charleston International (CHS) is a joint-use Air Force Base and civilian airline and corporate airport.
10 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
While mighty C-17 Globemaster III military cargo planes loom large on the field, corporate iron and general aviation are equally well represented on the Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support FBO aprons. CHS is supplemented by reliever airports on all sides of the city. Along the coast, south of the city and very near the popular Folly Beach area, is Charleston Executive Airport (JZI). “Exec” would likely prove the most popular for King Air missions, with its two runways (4,300 and 5,300 feet long), ILS and LPV approaches, and service- oriented FBO (Atlantic Aviation). Due east of Charleston, and also near the coast is the town of Mt. Pleasant (which has effectively become a Charleston suburb as the urban sprawl has practically connected the cities). Mt. Pleasant Regional – Faison Field (LRO) is a more general aviation-oriented airport just outside the CHS Class C with a single 3,700-foot runway, pilot control and basic services. Finally, north and northwest of CHS are the Berkeley Co. (MKS) and Summerville (DYB) airports. Both have slightly more runway length than LRO but are similar in facilities and services available. Regardless of which airport suits your mission or agenda, all are within 15 miles of CHS and even the furthest away (Berkeley Co.) is still well under a half-hour drive to the historic and tourist areas of Charleston.
Revolution to Dissolution
For any history lover with some idle time on their hands, Charleston has much to fill your time. Foremost is the area’s rich military history. As a prime shipping port for the trade of goods between both Europe and the American colonies and, later, between the northern and southern states, Charleston Harbor contained turbulent waters in both
JANUARY 2021