The airport, which has been around since the 1950s, was purchased in 1991 by Allen Chorman. His plan from the outset was to use the airfield as base of operations for Chorman Spraying, formerly known as Allen Chorman & Son. 

“When I was 12 years old, my dad and I rode over here on a Sunday. I remember like it happened right now,” Jeff Chorman said. “He was like, ‘Maybe we could rent the airport from John [Mervine],’ who was a real big name in Delaware at the time. My dad ended up buying the airport from John and since then we’ve built the airport up and widened the runway from 37 feet wide to 51 feet wide.”

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From mid-March to mid-November, this 3,585-foot-long paved runway is abuzz with activity from sunup to sundown. Chorman Spraying employs nine pilots and has a fleet of aircraft that consists of Air Tractors, Ag Cats, Thrushes, and Bell Jet Rangers. 

“We are probably one of the largest agricultural operators on the East Coast, as far as agricultural work, and cover the eastern shore of Delaware and Maryland,” Chorman said. “We have gone from running two airplanes to running seven all the time. And we have gone from radial engines to turbines, although [we] still spray mosquitoes with Twin Beeches and are thinking about getting into the drone world.” 

The operation is an integral partner to farmers within roughly a 50 nm radius of D74. Typical crops in the region that the company tends to are wheat, barley, pumpkins, watermelons, cantaloupes, peas, sweet corn, and other vegetables, in addition to a strong emphasis in the fall on cover crop seeding.

Aerial services are provided from 10 main airfields and five satellite airfields, from Chestertown to Snow Hill. But most ag aviation flights originate from Chorman Airport, which is a competitive advantage for the operation.

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“Having your own airport [as an ag operator] is almost a must. It’s all about control,” Chorman said. “Even though it’s a public airport, we still control the people who are here. [By having our own airport] we control the activity during the busy times and also the overall ramp operations and security here.”

Efficiency and safety on the field is balanced with national security precautions in the area. Chorman reported that there is frequently a presidential TFR active near the airport, due to President Joe Biden’s home in Rehoboth Beach being only 26 nm away. 

“Right now, if you look at Delaware in ForeFlight, the whole state is yellow,” he said. “I was the first one in agricultural aviation history last year to get permission to conduct ag operations inside the TFR’s inner ring during Biden’s 10-day visit last year. The Secret Service understands [the need for our operation to continue helping farmers] and has been great to work with.” 

Chorman’s longtime interest in military aviation led him to acquire a handful of vintage aircraft. His Stearman biplane, T-6, and T-28 can be seen by airport visitors this fall during a highly anticipated fly-in event at Chorman Airport.

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“We are planning our second annual fly-in for October 26, weather and TFR permitting,” he said. “We will have a cookout with hamburgers and hot dogs. Last year we had 65 airplanes fly in, and you couldn’t have ordered better weather. We are hoping for a good turnout again this year”

The airport welcomes transient traffic, although fuel is only available to based aircraft. There are roughly four dozen aircraft presently kept on the field. 

Chorman is encouraged about the future of the airfield and that it will continue being a central asset in the operation of his business and an attractive option for local pilots to base their aircraft.  

“In 2018, we repaved the runway because it was in very bad shape with no base underneath at all. We didn’t have any state or federal funding for that project,” Chorman said. “The airport will continue to grow as the need develops. I can see two more hangars here with eight units each for rental airplane storage, as well as an [automated weather observing system] AWOS. I would also like to have a GPS approach here, since we are strictly VFR now with pilot-controlled lighting. We are just starting to work on getting that done and the Delaware Aviation Council is helping.”

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That’s according to Ohio-based Ryse Aero Tech, which recently conducted the first crewed flight of its Recon ultralight electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (eVTOL) designed for agricultural and rural use.

In an increasingly crowded emerging eVTOL market, the Recon stands out, according to Ryse Aero Tech. The single-seat aircraft weighs less than 300 pounds, and its six carbon fiber proprotors are designed to reach a maximum altitude of 700 feet at a cruising speed of up to 35 knots, or 40 mph. The aircraft is controlled by a joystick and an integrated removable tablet PC with redundant controls.

Recon is as easy to operate as an all-terrain vehicle, which means anyone can fly it, the company says. Because of its lightweight design, the aircraft qualifies as a powered ultralight and therefore doesn’t require a pilot certificate.

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Ryse began testing the Recon in Cincinnati, during a series of crewed flights in late July.

“It was effortless and very enjoyable to fly,” Erik Stephansen, Ryse’s director of regulatory affairs and aeronautics, said in a statement. “I was thrilled at how I could literally hover, take my hands off the controls and the Recon sat there stable and safe.”

The flight test campaign included taking flight control systems through takeoffs, controlled hovers, forward flight, pivot turn maneuvers, and landings, Ryse said.

The flight tests marked a step forward toward accomplishing the company’s mission of providing “an accessible aircraft to people with a purpose and make flight accessible to all,” Mick Kowitz, CEO of Ryse Aero Tech, said in a statement. “We proved today that this vehicle is reliable, stable, and enjoyable, but most importantly, it’s safe.”

Ryse said it will be exhibiting the Recon later this month in Boone, Iowa, at the Farm Progress Show, which is described as “the nation’s largest outdoor farm event.” The company also said it is on track to begin deliveries of the Recon by mid-2023.

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The Recon isn’t the only ultralight eVTOL headed to market that won’t require a pilot certificate to fly. Earlier this year, Lift Aircraft inked a contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop its single-seat ultralight eVTOL, Hexa.

Like Ryse, Lift Aircraft says its 18-proprotor, amphibious eVTOL will operate under the FAA’s powered ultralight classification in FAR Part 103. Last month, the Air Force completed a 10-minute flight test of the Hexa, which the service said was a step toward incorporating the aircraft into military operations. 

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