JOHN DAY Dr. James Klusmier finds the commute to his John Day dental practice a breeze.

    Instead of a three-hour drive by car from his home base in Sunriver, the owner and pilot of a small plane flies into the Grant County Regional Airport in John Day.

    Klusmier finds the arrangement amazing, because of the hospitality and facilities provided by the airport, which he calls a silent gem for Grant County.

    If it werent for the airport, I wouldnt have been able to do it, he said of his situation.

    With another office in Sunriver, and his wife Stacies job at a hospital in Central Oregon, he wanted another opportunity to supplement his  practice.

    Hearing of an office available in John Day, he flew literally at the chance to assume the John Day practice of retiring Dr. Kenneth Peterson.

    It was a leap of faith, he said.

    Since March 31 he has commuted by air into Grant County, ready for business in three- and four-day stretches each week.

    If the weathers bad, he drives, but  flying is the way to go, he said.

    To consider the opportunity, he said, I needed to be able to have an airport available.

   While hes unable to fly due to weather now and again, Klusmier much prefers a half-hour commute by air to the drive time.

    Klusmier has been a dentist for 10 years, and a pilot since 2003. He admits flying is expensive; due to the cost, he waited to get his wings until he was well on his way in the profession.

   The John Day airport is a tremendous asset for the community, he said. I cant believe how wonderful it is. I grew up in an area with perhaps 250,000 people, and the airport there wasnt nearly as nice.

    The airport is also a connection to the outside world, and provides a good safety factor, too, he added.

    The staff at the facility has been absolutely welcoming and accommodating, and very friendly. Theyve made me feel at home. Airport manager Colin English helped him locate the hangar that he currently sublets.

    Klusmier said hed recommend the airport and the area to anyone with business needs. The facility, with a large meeting room, catering, showers, satellite, Internet, and more, is great for business meetings, he said.

  Its an impressive place, Klusmier said, a positive thing for the area. I hope it will grow and draw people here.