Pryor Field Regional airport, Decatur, AL!
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Landmarks and the Technical Part.
Pryor Field Regional Airport (KDCU, DCU), is a non-towered public use airfield located in Tanner, Alabama which is 3 miles NE of Decatur in Limestone County, Alabama. This field has one asphalt runway 18/36, (6,107′ x 100′) and has both AVGas and JetA. AVGas (110LL) is available as self-service 24/7. The DCU Pryor Flight Center is a full-service FBO (M-F: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. S-S: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) and there are maintenance facilities on the field. There is also a snooze room, showers, a crew lounge, a conference room, and WiFi. Please note: Inclement weather and holidays can alter hours of operation.
Pryor Field is home to the Learjet John Aviation flight school and is right next to Calhoun Community College. The airport is just a few miles north of the Tennessee River, and the closest hotel would be the DoubleTree at 4.3 miles away.
The Pryor Field Authority announced the first-ever North Alabama Airfest for June 10 and 11 of 2023, this has now become an annual event, usually in September. It is the only Alabama ar show at a public use airport. On January 30th 2025, this field celebrated it’s 85th anniversary.
Transport
There are courtesy crew cars along with crew shuttle transportation. If you are going further afield, Enterprise has an office in Decatur and they will, of coarse, pick you up. Both Avis Rent a Car and Budget are available through the Huntsville airport about 12 miles away. Only 8 nautical miles if you’re making short hops with wings.
Where to go for the Finer Things!
Pryor Regional Airport is one of the busiest general aviation airports in Alabama. It’s known as the gateway to both North Alabama and the Tennessee Valley. The scenery is beautiful, and it’s definitely filled with finer things.
First on the list, as the biggest drawing card, would be the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in nearby Huntsville. The Saturn V Rocket sits right out front; you literally can’t miss it. Every kid from 8 to 80 will be totally enthralled. From Space Camp for the kids to awesome simulators that will leave you wondering what you did yesterday. Yes, they can leave you physically sore! There really is something for everyone.
Second, is the natural beauty of this place with rolling green hills as far as you can see. The Tennessee River and all it has to offer is a peace seeker’s paradise. Decatur is called “The River City“. Point Mallard Park and the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge are just south of the Tennessee River.
If you are attending a conference or event at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, you need to check out the Big Springs International Park just outside South Hall. Take a quarter to feed the fish and the ducks.
Time on your hands? Check out the Huntsville Art Museum on the other side of the picturesque red bridge.
Where to Stay
As mentioned, the closest hotel to the airport is the DoubleTree Decatur Riverfront. This hotel has its own restaurant and is right by the water. A little farther up the road is the Home2 Suites by Hilton Decatur Ingalls Harbor.
Downtown, there are several options, including La Quinta Inn, Decatur Inn & Suites, Best Western River City Hotel, and Hampton Inn Decatur. You can compare prices and amenities on Expedia.com.
Things To Do In Decatur!
You can spend the day in Mallard Park, where there are several holidays when they ramp things up. Memorial Day is of special interest to aviation enthusiasts as they host the annual Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic. Labor Day weekend is for Civil War re-enactments. The 4th of July sees Alabama’s largest free patriotic celebration, The Spirit of America Festival.
This park contains a golf course, campgrounds, hiking trails, a 35-acre water park, and an indoor ice skating rink. Unfortunately, this park does need some updating, and those restrooms are not a happy place. However, if you’re here anyway, you might as well check it out; maybe things are improving.
Decatur is also home to the GoFAR USA Park, which is an outdoor adventure park complete with zip lines and climbing walls.
History buffs unite, Decatur has several Civil War sites and numerous historic homes and buildings. There is a self-guided walking tour through the Old Decatur and New Albany Historic Districts that highlights the Old State Bank and the Battle of Decatur. There is also the Decatur Historic Railroad Depot.
One of the coolest places to take the kids is the Cook Museum of Natural Science. This place is a hands-on joy ride where kids get to explore nature with their own imagination while making memories.
Fishing opportunities around Decatur are too numerous to mention, but it’s good to know that fishing licenses are available at most bait and tackle shops and any county courthouse throughout Northern Alabama.
Local Pubs and Dining In Decatur!
When in Alabama, it’s pretty much a given that there will be barbecue. Smokey C’s, Whitt’s, or Nash BBQ should cover you for one night. Still hungry for BBQ? Big Bob Gibson Bar-B-Q is open 7 days a week. If you’ve been wanting to try white BBQ sauce, this is the place to do that. If you don’t like grilled chicken breasts beacause they get too dry, coat them is white BBQ sauce before grilling and you will have the moistest chicken breast ever.
Seafood is more to your liking? Try The Moody Crab on Mallard Point Parkway. On the other hand, if you just want to wet your whistle, there’s a pub downtown, Cross Eyed Owl Brewing Company, that should do just fine. I’m told it will be served up with irresistible southern hospitality.
I didn’t have Mexican food in Decatur, but the highest ratings were for Mi Hacienda Mexican Restaurant, Tio Juan Mexican Grill, and Casa Santiago Mexican Grill.
I did, however, have Mexican (Aztec) food in Huntsville, and if that is somewhere you visit on this trip, I highly recommend El Azteca on Clinton Ave. Looking at the outside might give you pause, but I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. The beer is cold, the salsa is hot, and the food is homemade and fresh. Also, the four televisions tuned to a Mexican soap opera with no sound lends an authenticity you can’t get just anywhere.
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Once again, safe travels,
jo@jettreks.com