The unmistakable roar of a World War II-era P-51 Mustang sparked excitement this week at Kentucky Dam Village Airport, reminding the community of the unique opportunities that come with living in Calvert City.
The aircraft, based out of Vicksburg, Mississippi, is owned by Don Fodice of the Southern Heritage Air Museum. During his visit, Fodice offered 13-year-old Trace Babcock a once-in-a-lifetime experience, taking him to the skies in the historic warbird.
Though Trace had flown before, this experience was unlike anything he had known.“I had an awesome time,” he said. “My favorite part was just being in the air.”
Trace’s passion for aviation began years earlier in a moment that now feels almost destined. As a young child, he was playing outside with a miniature P-51 Mustang when he saw the real aircraft fly overhead. “He ran inside and told me the plane he had as a toy was flying over our house,” said his mother, Tanara Babcock. “I did
n’t believe him at first, but we went to the airport anyway.” From that moment on, his fascination with aviation and history only grew stronger.
“I love history class, and planes have always been one of my favorite things,” Trace said. “It’s a sort of history, and now I’m actually going to be in one.”
Just before taking flight, Trace reflected on the significance of the moment. “It’s the P-51 fighter plane from World War II, and they’ve got six or eight machine guns, and I’m pretty sure they shoot .50 calibers,” he said. When asked if he hopes to become a pilot one day, Trace answered simply, “I hope so.”
Moments like these highlight one of the many advantages of Calvert City’s Kentucky Dam Village Airport, also known as M34. The airport regularly welcomes aircraft from across the United States, offering residents and visitors alike the chance to witness everything from modern planes to historic warbirds.
For aviation enthusiasts, it is an ideal way to spend an afternoon, watching planes arrive from near and far while taking in the natural beauty of the region.
Calvert City’s airport features a 4,000-foot paved and lighted runway, providing pilots with scenic views of Kentucky Lake, the Tennessee River, and Kentucky Dam during approach. The facility offers both ramp and tie-down parking, along with a pilot lounge equipped with showers and restrooms.
Originally operated by Kentucky Dam Village State Park, the airport entered a new chapter in 2018 when the City of Calvert City entered into a lease agreement with the Kentucky Department of Parks to maintain and operate the facility.
Significant improvements have followed. A fuel system installation began in 2019 and was completed in 2021, allowing for self-service Jet A fuel and AvGas. That same year, the airport was re-certified by the Federal Aviation Administration, and major upgrades were completed, including a runway overlay, taxiway and apron rehabilitation, obstruction clearing, and a remodeled terminal.
Two new eight-unit hangars were constructed and are now fully occupied, contributing to a total of 21 hangars and 19 based aircraft. Looking ahead, plans are in place for a wildlife fence, with future visions that include on-site camping and a picnic pavilion.
Each year, more than 11,000 aircraft visit M34, bringing travelers to Calvert City for its outdoor recreation, industrial opportunities, and local dining.
For young residents like Trace, the airport represents more than infrastructure. It represents possibility.
“You never know what kind of planes are going to fly in,” Mayor Gene Colburn said. “For kids who dream of aviation, it is a front row seat to inspiration.”
