Operations began at Monroe County Airport in 1942. Then in 1943, Monroe County became the first Indiana county to avail itself to newly passed legislation which allowed second class cities to form a Board of Aviation Directors. Since then, under the guidance of the Board of Aviation Commissioners, Monroe County Airport has been growing and operating for 75 years. To commemorate this historic event, the 2017 Board of Aviation Commissioners teamed with the local Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 650 and Cook Aviation to host the historic Ford Tri-Motor aircraft for display and public rides on May 18-21, 2017.