Aerospace & General Aviation

The home to the "father" of aviation lighting - Warren Grimes, Champaign County continues to be a major player in the aerospace lighting industry.  His company - The Grimes Corporation, founded in 1933 and now known as Honeywell Aerospace -  employs over 600 area residents in the manufacturing of virtually any light used in commercial aviation today.  In addition to his strong work ethic and business acumen, Grimes' friendship with the Wright Brothers no doubt help him start a company whose legacy affects the lives of many area residents and world travelers alike to this day.  

The Grimes Legacy lives on...

To test his inventions, Grimes needed to have a plane and a nearby airport...so he built both.  

The Grimes "flying lab" (a Beech C-45H) which had various interior and exterior lights installed for real world testing, was used by the company to showcase its products and the community to the world.  Eventually sold for scrap but later found, repurchased and restored by local aviation enthusiasts, the plane is now owned by a private local foundation and is  on display in a private hungar for the public to enjoy.  For more information please visit their website by clicking here.  Another entity - The Champaign Aviation Museum Inc. - recently built a 25,000 sq. ft. hangar at the north end of the airport for displaying historic aircraft.  For more information click here.

The airport (Grimes Field) was built by the company and almost immediately gifted to the city of Urbana.  It is not only an extremely important part of the Champaign County heritage, but also adds substantially to the current social and economic footprint for the county.  Grimes Field is a popular destination for the recreational flyer, hosts the regional MERFI fly-in and is the location for a competition each year where dozens of balloon enthusiasts gather for a two-day "Balloon-Fest."  The restaurant at the airport - known for it's hospitality and great menu, including homemade cakes and pies - is a popular destination for both the flying and driving public.

the rest of the story....

Several other area companies are involved in the aviation/aerospace business.  Some of of their work is in support Honeywell efforts, while other work is done for NASA and the Department of Defense.  Those companies include:  Sarica Manufacturing, Hughey & Phillips and The Hall Co.

Fast Facts

Champaign County is conveniently nestled in the heart of west central Ohio.

  • Established in 1805
  • 30 miles from Columbus or Dayton; 10 miles from Springfield
  • Serviced by U.S. Routes 68 and 36; within 15 miles of Interstates 70 and 75
  • Blend of service, retail, manufacturing and agricultural businesses
  • Miles of bike trails, hiking trails, rivers and wooded area wind its way through the county
  • Population approximately 39,800; 428 square miles
  • Quaint shopping, dining and art/antique shops
  • Home to Warren Grimes the "father of aviation lighting"
  • Well-known Champaign Countians include: William Saxbe, Clancy Brown, Johnny Appleseed and A.B. Graham
  • Airport: Grimes Field (General Aviation)
  • Home to Urbana University
  • Destinations: Simon Kenton recreation trails, Cedar Bog, Ohio Caverns, Johnny Appleseed Museum, Mad River, Champaign County Fairgrounds, Kiser Lake State Park