by Tom Chillemi
TOPPING—The Virginia Department of Aviation (VDOA) has changed the status of Hummel Field in Topping to a “General-Aviation-Community” airport. The Middlesex board of supervisors (BOS) requested this change in May.
As a general aviation airport, Hummel is now eligible to receive state funds for construction. Typically the state funds 80% and the locality pays 20%. Previously, the airport, which is owned by Middlesex County, was designated a “Local” airport and could get state money only for maintenance.
The county is considering a proposal for major upgrades that would make Hummel’s runway longer, wider and safer. The runway would be re-aligned and angled slightly to the east so that airplanes will not have to fly over houses…
