Seaplane Business Has New Home

Friday, September 27, 2013 at 7:28 AM

By Mike Perleberg

Mac's Seaplane Service moved into the new airplane hangar on Front Street in Rising Sun in early September. The business is leasing the facility from the Rising Sun Port Authority.

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(Rising Sun, Ind.) - A high-flying business in Rising Sun will celebrate its new home next month.

Mac’s Seaplane Service earlier this month moved into a new hangar at 308 S. Front Street, near the Rising Sun Boat Dock on the Ohio River. The hangar – a project three years in the making – was built by the City of Rising Sun and the Rising Sun Port Authority.

Business owner Troy MacVey, a Milan resident and former Comair pilot, called the hangar he now leases from the port authority a “dream materialized.” It features an office, elevator, and enough space for to house the planes: a Cessna 195 and a smaller Cessna 140.

“It couldn’t have been done without the port authority, the mayor, and former mayor Steve Stewart,” he said.

Prior to the hangar’s completion, the seaplanes were parked and tied down outside in the elements. MacVey said he prayed three years for no hail storms or high winds that could have damaged the planes.

The growing seaplane business has already been in operation for two years offering sightseeing, charters, special events, and training in its vintage float planes. The pilots have been spotted offering rides at various festivals and events along the Ohio River this summer. The recent obtainment of an air carrier certificate makes Mac’s Seaplane Service Indiana’s smallest airline, MacVey said.

Mac’s has generated remarkable interest from those in the aviation industry, attracting pilots from across the country to Rising Sun to earn their seaplane certification. It’s even boosting local tourism.

“Mr. MacVey and the City of Rising Sun are hoping this new venture will bring more tourists and pilots to the community to add additional dollars to other businesses in Ohio County,” said Sherry Timms with the Ohio County Tourism Commission.

Mac’s Seaplane Service and the City of Rising Sun are hosting a public open house at the new airplane hangar on Friday, October 11th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Learn more about Mac’s Seaplane Service at www.MacsSeaplaneService.com.