POCOLA, Okla — A new airpark in the Fort Smith Metro area hopes to open the skies for aviators and dreamers.
Patriot Airpark is a new aviation community being built in Pocola, Okla. Patriot Airpark says this is a place where "pilots and aviation enthusiasts can soar to new heights."
The development is being led by CEO Alex Cardenas. Cardenas said he'd always lived around aviation and dreamed of being a pilot himself. He enlisted in the Marine Corps for the chance to become one, only learning his takeoff would be delayed.
"You have to be an officer. You have to be yet you have to go to school for that and see, I didn't know these things," Cardenas explained.
Cardenas eventually got into construction and was presented the opportunity to buy the Pocola cattle ranch that would become Patriot Airpark.
The airpark is a mixed-use development with a 2,500-foot runway, hangar homes, townhomes, outdoor amenities, and plans for more developments. Pilots cannot only land at the 400-acre airpark but also park their planes right at their own hangar home.
While Cardenas doesn't have his wings just yet, pilot Justin Tisdale came on board to run the aviation. Cardenas met Tisdale at the National STOL Series qualifies event, Arklahoma STOL, which was hosted at the airpark. Tisdale is a competitive STOL Pilot who is also known as the moosestacheflyer in the STOL community. Both Cardenas and Tisdale share a connection through their past in the Marine Corps and a dream that seemed out of reach.
"I grew up poor, and, you know, we couldn't afford it. My dad wanted to do it. He passed away. I took on the dream for him, built an airplane myself, and then became a pilot. Wasn't even a pilot when I built the airplane," Tisdale said.
Seeing aviation grow in the Ozarks and development in the Fort Smith Air Force Mission, they want to make sure the airpark invites not just pilots, but dreamers as well. Cardenas explained they'd support the mission at Ebbing and also expressed they'd invite students to learn at the airpark.
"That's why this place exists. We want to see everyone come out, be a part of aviation, get into it, follow passions and dreams in aviation and just succeed," Tisdale said.
Patriot Airpark said among its plans is installing a Mexican restaurant, shopping experiences, a medical clinic, and even a wedding venue. A foot golf course and lake are already on site, as the construction of the other amenities is underway.
Patriot Airpark said the lakes will be available for canoeing or kayaking and stocked for fishing.
To learn more about Patriot Airpark, click here.
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