The first operator of the Cumberland Municipal Airport was Cumberland Airways, a division of Graham Aviation of Pittsburgh, PA and, from 1946 to 1947, John Chapman served as the airport manager. During the 1948 to 1950 period, Mountain Air Service operated the facility with Fred Jenkins, Sanford Jenkins, and Jack Delagrange serving as managers at different times.
During the next decade, 1950 to 1960, Warren Mullenax served as manager under the banner of the Queen City Air Service.
Warren Mullenax with a war surplus Timm aircraft at Cumberland.
John Nash then assumed the managerial position and operated Nash Flying Service from 1963 to 1965.
John Nash and his wife, with Minnie Johnson’s Aeronca C-3.
Following John Nash was Montgomery Air Charter, owned by Whalen Electric Company of Washington, DC, with Cornelius Whalen as manger. This operation later became known as Whalen Aviation. All of these operations offered flight training and other varied flying services. Numerous war veterans received flight training here under the GI Bill of Rights following World War II.
Alfred D. Nicholson was an accountant with the firm of Whalen Electric who around 1967 established Nicholson Aviation, and then became the airfield’s manager under a contract with the city of Cumberland. A few years later A.D. Nicholson retired to Arizona and his son, Dale, became the operator and manager under a Cumberland City agreement. Nicholson Air Service operated a small airline, carried mail, and ran a successful flying training school for years. There were many changes in the interim. Eventually over twenty-five aircraft were utilized in the operation. The flight school had numerous students from the Scandinavian countries progress through a one year program, leaving with their commercial license. Numerous other local individuals attained their pilot certificate or upgraded their ratings through this aviation school. A successful Summer Youth Camp was also held, offering aeronautical indoctrination to many youngsters. After a turbulent and contentious period in 1990 Nicholson Air Service went out of business
C. William ‘Bill’ Armstrong, as an Allegany County employee, became the airport manager in 1987. The transfer of control of the airfield from the city of Cumberland to Allegany County occurred at this time. Gerald Arthur, as head of the county’s Department of Public Works, initially provided oversight of the facility. Armstrong served as manager during the transition to the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority control and oversight in 1990, and then retired in 1992. Since 1987 the local airfield has been identified as the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport to reflect its more encompassing service area.
Bill Armstrong at the time of his selection as Airport Manager in 1987.
Corporate Jets, a large organization headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, was selected by the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority to operate the Greater Cumberland Regional Airport in 1990. Bradley Whited served as the manager from 1992 to 1994 at which time the current airport manager, John Jennings, assumed the position, both serving under the Corporate Jets Airport Management, Inc. organization.
John Jennings, the current Airport Manager, in his office.
Since 1992 Dave and Marie Summerfield have operated Summerfield Aviation, providing flight and upgrade training, charter service, and other services. US Air Express has offered commuter air service to the major hub of US Air in Pittsburgh, PA from 1988 up until 2001. A larger new terminal building was dedicated in 1999, which includes the visitor’s historical gallery described in Chapter IX.
Late in 1997 the Potomac Highlands Airport Authority terminated its contract with Corporate Jets and assumed direct control of the operations, retaining John Jennings as manager. In the year 2000, Summerfield Aviation reduced their services, while continuing their operation. Also since 2000, Cumberland Air with Mark Paugh as a flight instructor has provided flight training and a variety of aviation services. A recent change in name was made for this service to Marathon Aviation. The Cumberland Air Cafe provided food service in the old terminal building but has since ceased operations.
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Wings Over Cumberland 