Shelby County Airport is a public use airport located four nautical miles (7 km) southeast of the central business district of Alabaster, a city in Shelby County, Alabama, United States. It is owned by the Shelby County Commission. The airport is situated in the city of Calera.
This airport is included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011âÂÂ2015 and 2009âÂÂ2013, both of which categorized it as a general aviation facility. This was a change from the 2007âÂÂ2011 NPIAS Report, when it was categorized as a reliever airport.
Although most U.S. airports use the same three-letter location identifier for the FAA and IATA, this airport is assigned EET by the FAA but has no designation from the IATA.
Shelby County Airport, which opened in September 1966, covers an area of 125 acres (51 ha) at an elevation of 586 feet (179 m) above mean sea level. It has one asphalt paved runway designated 16/34 which measures 5,000 by 75 feet (1,524 x 23 m). The runway runs parallel to adjacent Interstate 65. The airport has its own interchange on that highway.
In 1979, Shelby County Airport received funding from U.S. and state grants to support major expansion projects. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was considering a $1.3 million grant to extend the runway by 1,400 feet to the south and 400 feet to the north, improving its capacity for larger aircraft. Additionally, a $20,000 grant from the Alabama Aeronautical Association funded paving for 12 new hangars, increasing the airportâÂÂs capacity for general aviation. The airport also received $6,000 for a non-directional beacon to aid navigation. Designated a FAA reliever airport, the facility aimed to separate small aircraft from larger commercial traffic following concerns about air traffic safety. A Learjet service for business travelers was also introduced, and local companies expressed interest in using the airport for corporate flights, contingent on runway improvements.
On March 28, 1983, a Shelby County Commissioners reviewed a preliminary proposal to construct a second runway at Shelby County Airport. Aviation Administrator Bill Tucker outlined plans for the new airstrip to be located west of the existing runway, which could then be repurposed as a taxi ramp. Previous discussions had focused on extending the airportâÂÂs main runway from 3,800 to 5,600 feet, but this was the first official proposal for an additional runway. The estimated cost of the project ranged from $2 million to $3 million, with 90 percent potentially covered by a federal grant. However, acquiring the necessary 200 acres of land posed a challenge, as property owners in the area might resist selling, potentially requiring land condemnation. Citizens expressed concerns that expansion would increase air traffic, noise, and accident risks, possibly leading to lower property values. Tucker emphasized that increasing the airportâÂÂs capacity would enhance safety and attract more business aviation to the county, boosting economic development.
At the same meeting, commissioners granted a 90-day contract extension to Lane Aero Co., the company operating Shelby County Airport, despite the firm's $150,000 loss over the previous five years. Airport manager Larry Chapman blamed the financial struggles on broader economic conditions but expressed optimism about future improvements. He requested a 10-year contract to secure long-term financing for necessary upgrades, though the commission opted for a shorter extension. Discussion also arose about forming a county airport authority to oversee the facility, with Tucker expecting a petition to establish such an authority to be presented at the next commission meeting on April 11. Chapman stated that Lane Aero Co. supported the creation of an airport authority and was willing to work within the temporary contract extension to facilitate a transition.
On February 12, 1986, a proposed 500,000-gallon elevated water tank in Alabaster, Alabama, sparked controversy due to its location in the approach pattern for Shelby County Airport. The tank, positioned atop a ridge 110 feet above ground level, raised safety concerns among pilots, particularly under poor visibility conditions. Private pilot Edward D. Burquez argued that the structure posed a significant hazard to instrument-rated pilots flying into the airport. Although the concrete foundation had been poured and steel fabrication was set to begin, the Alabaster Water and Gas Board temporarily halted construction pending approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA opened a public comment period before issuing a ruling, with possible outcomes including full approval, conditional approval with warning lights, or outright disapproval. Local officials defended the tank as essential for water pressure and fire protection, while discussions continued over alternative sites.
On January 18, 1989, a proposal to fill a portion of a swamp near Shelby County Airport for expansion purposes met opposition from environmental experts and local residents. The Shelby County Airport Authority applied for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to fill 24 acres of a mature tupelo gum swamp adjacent to the airport, with an additional 50 acres slated for clearing. Experts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency raised concerns about the ecological impact and potential flooding risks. Mitigation efforts, including the creation of new wetlands, were estimated to add up to $7.5 million to the $7.4 million airport expansion project. Local conservationists and a group of duck hunters leasing the swamp opposed the plan, arguing that the wetland served as a natural flood barrier. Despite alternatives, airport officials supported the plan due to its cost-effectiveness in extending the runway to 5,800 feet.
In 1992, Shelby County Airport installed an Automated Surface Observation System (ASOS) to provide pilots with real-time weather updates via radio and telephone. The system, a joint project of the National Weather Service and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), collected data on temperature, dew point, visibility, cloud ceiling, and altimeter settings. It replaced outdated methods where pilots had to rely on estimates or weather reports from Birmingham, 20 miles north. The $85,000 system aimed to enhance flight safety by ensuring pilots had accurate, up-to-date weather conditions before takeoff and landing. Shelby County Airport was one of the first two airports in Alabama to receive ASOS, with future installations planned statewide.
The National Weather Service began construction of a 6,000-square-foot forecast office at Shelby County Airport, set to open in the fall. The facility, part of a nationwide network of Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) sites, would oversee weather conditions for northern two-thirds of Alabama. Designed by Fluor Daniel of Kansas City and built by Fred Burgos Construction of Montgomery, the new office was expected to house 23 employees relocating from Homewood. Additionally, an upper-air program for launching weather balloons was scheduled to move to the site in 1995. While the forecast office would be based at the airport, the NEXRAD radar tower itself was planned for a separate Alabama Power Co. property across Interstate 65, with operations planned for April 1994.
In May 1994, Shelby County Airport in Alabama underwent major expansion projects aimed at attracting new industry, particularly businesses linked to the Mercedes-Benz plant. Improvements included a runway extension of 600 feet on each end of the existing 3,800-foot runway, the construction of 16 new drive-through hangars costing $75,000, and a $25,000 renovation of the main hangar, which updated the office, pilots' lounge, reception area, and flight planning room. Additional plans included a new terminal restaurant, a full-service aircraft repair shop, and staffing 24/7 fueling and aircraft services. The National Weather Service also began construction of a $1 million headquarters at the airport. Phoenix Aviation, the fixed-base operator, leased the facility and sought to expand corporate aircraft operations. County officials explored 500 acres of industrial park development adjacent to the airport, reinforcing its role as a growing hub for corporate and industrial aviation.
In 2003, Shelby County Airport announced plans to extend its runway by 589 feet to reach 5,000 feet, following a previous expansion to 4,400 feet and the construction of a 4,400-foot taxiway. The expansion aimed to accommodate medium-sized corporate jets, increasing business aviation traffic. The airport's fixed-base operator (FBO), Shelby Air, reported a 200% increase in air traffic since 2001, directing private pilots to key business locations in the region. Economic leaders viewed the airportâÂÂs proximity to Hoover and Birmingham as an asset for attracting businesses and corporate aviation, enhancing the areaâÂÂs appeal for economic growth and homebuyers.
For the 12-month period ending January 15, 2010, the airport had 20,848 aircraft operations, an average of 57 per day: 99% general aviation and 1% military. At that time there were 83 aircraft based at this airport: 92% single-engine, 7% multi-engine and 1% jet.