Derby Field Taxiway Ribbon Cutting

On November 21, 2024, several people gathered to celebrate with a ribbon cutting for the South Taxiway at Derby Field.  This year, Pershing County was awarded $3 Million for the South Taxiway project. Qualcon is the on-site contractor and commenced work in October 2024.  All the grading for the project has been completed and asphalt will be laid in Spring 2025. 

Those present were Airport Board Members, Commissioner Rackley, in-coming Commissioners Sayles and Gottschalk, Economic Development Director, PGH CEO, School Superintendent, Qualcon, Armstrong Consulting, Department Heads, and some members of the public.  This taxiway increases safety and economic viability of the airport.

For rural communities, including Pershing County, these airports are also a key lifeline supporting critical services such as medical transport, firefighting, law enforcement, search and rescue, public land management, agricultural applications and more. Derby Field is a critical part of our healthcare infrastructure.  Humboldt General Hospital and REMSA do utilize this location for medical flights, both fixed wing and helicopter. 

Located in the southern portion of Pershing County, Nevada, about 9 miles from Lovelock, Derby Field is a general aviation facility.  Built in the World War II era, Derby Field was an army training field, most likely under the command of the Fourth Air Force of the Army Air Forces Training Command (a predecessor of the current-day US Air Force Education and Training Command). There is an amazing collection of photos of Lovelock’s men and women who served our country in that time frame located in the terminal building. 

And as a piece of interesting history, Amelia Earhart landed her gyroplane in Upper Valley on June 8, 1931. She spent one night in Lovelock before flying off on her next adventure.  A photo of her, the gyroplane, and Lovelock locals is located in the terminal building too.

Over the years, improvements have been made to Derby Field.  The terminal building’s Pilot’s Lounge was updated.  A new septic tank was installed this year; it replaced an old wooden one Each year, Pershing County applies to FAA for grants.  Some of those grant funds have been used to purchase snow removal equipment, build a garage for the snow removal equipment, replace runway light system, update the fuel farm, and chip seal.

Many communities overlook the full potential of their local airports, often viewing them as mere facilities for occasional airplane rides.  General Aviation airports are more than just takeoff and landing strips. The aviation industry is booming, presenting enormous opportunities for community airports to create jobs and attract businesses. 

At the state level, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development has identified Aerospace and Defense as a sector of active focus and is engaging with industry professionals with the intent to continue identifying opportunities to grow airport-adjacent industries in each community.  The state as a whole has increased the number of jobs in this sector by 7,518 between the years 2014 to 2024.  That is an increase of 56.9%.  And the industry breakdown is extensive, ranging from manufacturing, engineering, flight training, unmanned flights, munitions, and more.

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