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I n the heart of those who "live with our planes," there exists a profound kinship—a shared ardor that transcends mere fascination and borders on a boundless obsession with flight. For us, Eagles' Landing is not just a place; it is the realization of a dream, forged from the spirit of pioneers like Pat McGinn and his visionary companions.

The year was 1977, a turbulent epoch marked by the aftermath of war, the chill of the Cold War, and an economic landscape veiled in uncertainty. Amidst this backdrop, Pat McGinn, a seasoned Eastern Airlines pilot, dared to dream of a haven where he could blend his passion for aviation with the comforts of home. His vision crystallized in the form of Eagles' Landing—a residential airpark where aviators could live, breathe, and soar.

 

Pat McGinn, together with kindred spirits Jim Daniel, Ted Hutcheson, Joe Pruett, and Aubrey Sweezey, embarked on a journey that transcended mere development; it was the cultivation of a community bound by a singular love for flight. The genesis of Eagles' Landing lay in a serendipitous discovery—a tract of land in Pike County known as Willow Wind, which fatefully fell into foreclosure, beckoning to be transformed into a sanctuary for aviators.

 

The transformation of Willow Wind into Eagles' Landing was a labor of love, orchestrated by the hands of determined souls. Pat McGinn's wife, Janice, alongside Dolores Daniel, Barbara Hutcheson, Coolie Pruett, and Penny Sweezey, became the unsung heroines of this saga, toiling tirelessly to sculpt the raw land into a thriving airpark. They cleared the grounds, laid the foundations, and nurtured the community spirit that would come to define Eagles' Landing.

The journey was not without its tribulations. Financing was scarce, and skeptics abounded, questioning the feasibility of a "fly-in community." Yet, buoyed by unwavering faith and camaraderie, Eagles' Landing began to take shape. Pat McGinn himself oversaw the construction of the inaugural hangar and the first five homes, embodying the ethos of resilience and determination that defined the pioneers of this aerial utopia.

 

Tragedy struck with cruel swiftness on June 28, 1980, when Pat McGinn's life was tragically cut short in a plane crash at Eagles' Landing—a poignant reminder of the inherent risks in the pursuit of flight. His loss reverberated deeply within the community, yet his spirit endured in the hearts of those who remained.

Undeterred by adversity, the surviving partners rallied around Joe Pruett, who assumed the mantle of leadership with unwavering resolve. Together, they pressed forward, overcoming obstacles with a fortitude born of shared purpose. Four years later, Eagles' Landing was dealt another devastating blow with Joe Pruett's untimely passing in a construction accident on September 27, 1984.

 

Once again, the community mourned, yet their determination to honor Pruett's legacy fueled their perseverance.

With steadfast resolve and the support of friends, Eagles' Landing rose from the ashes of sorrow. The remaining homes were completed, and Jim Daniel stepped into the role of president, guiding the airpark through its formative years with a steady hand and a vision inspired by those who had come before.

 

Today, Eagles' Landing stands not just as a testament to human ingenuity but as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. It is a haven where the sky meets the earth, where dreams take flight, and where the legacy of pioneers like Pat McGinn and Joe Pruett lives on in every gust of wind that dances across its runways. As we continue to "live with our planes," we do so with a profound sense of gratitude—for the visionaries who dared to dream and the community that made those dreams soar.