Verenus (Vern) Carter, 1904 – 1966, was approximately 13 years old when he saw his first aircraft, which resembled the original Wright Brother’s plane. From that moment on, he knew he was going to become a pilot. At the age of 16, he drove to Los Angeles to begin flying lessons. After completing his senior year of high school in Utah, he returned to California to work as a mechanic to pay to complete his flight training.

After earning his wings, he returned home and paid for a plane by barnstorming, or traveling around giving exhibitions of flying and performing aeronautical stunts, around Utah. Before long, Vern realized his true vocation and became an instructor. In addition to training future pilots, he served the community in other ways. He pioneered the use of an aircraft in counting herds of elk. He delivered mail for a number of years and helped in search and rescue operations. One day, a young man’s appendix burst in a remote sheep camp. He couldn’t get medical help due to deep snow. A call was made for assistance, and Vern flew in with his ski plane and got him to the hospital.

In 1929, Vern married Jessie Welsh, 1910-1994, and together they made a major impact on Utah’s aviation industry. In 1935, Vern and Jessie purchased some land in Salt Lake Valley and built a small airport they named Carter Flying Service. Over the years Vern trained countless future private, commercial and military pilots while Jessie ran the business and took care of their growing family. In 1953, they moved their operation to Draper and renamed it the Carter Sky Ranch Airport.

In 1962, Vern and Jessie sold their Draper airport and purchased 60 acres in Lehi to build an open-air strip. Vern immediately began grading a 3,900-foot gravel runway which ran in a north-south direction. They also built a large hanger for repair, maintenance and storage of airplanes. The airport featured FFA-recognized flight training programs as well as sight-seeing trips and an air taxi service.

On July 26, 1966, the Lehi Carter Airport was dedicated. W. T. Piper, head of the Piper Aircraft Corporation along with nearly 100 local businessmen and civic aircraft representatives were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Tragically, 20 days later Vern had just finished with his morning students when he collapsed and died of a pulmonary embolism.

A year later, Jessie leased the airport to Sheridan Owens and Maynard Meyers of AA Aviation. The official opening included a “fly in” of nearly 50 planes. During the celebration, George C. Morris, resident of the Utah Owners and Pilots Association, presented an award to Jessie on behalf of her late husband, honoring his long and outstanding service to aviation. AA Aviation didn’t last long and the airport was leased to Jerry W. Brailsford, who along with local pilots Grant B. Smith and Abe Ekins, reopened the airport under the name of Lehi Aviation on Oct. 10, 1968. Though the various leases, the airport continued to be Carter Airport.

Jessie sold the property to Jess Peck and Gary Elton in 1972, and the airport ceased operation and fell into disrepair. Today all that remains of Carter Airport is the name of the road, Airport Drive, which bisects the original runway. Vern and Jessie Carter’s influence on Utah’s aviation, however, continues to be celebrated as they were inducted into the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame in 2014.