In the last year and a half, the Benton airport has undergone many changes, and there's more ahead.

They've torn down old hangars and built new ones, widened and repaved the runway and built a large new building for their fixed-base operation, which provides services for pilots and aircraft owners.

"How far it's come... is just amazing," said Julie Clemens, a pilot and one of the airport's owners.

Three couples -- Greg and Debbie Largen, Julie and Dwayne Clemens and Victor and Tammy Riffel -- bought the airport in May 2004.

With the permission of the Stearman family, they recently changed its name to Benton Airpark Lloyd Stearman Field, in honor of the Wichita aviation pioneer. They also added a 24-hour credit card fuel operation and a 10,000 gallon fuel tank to help sales.

A $138,510 state grant paid 90 percent of the cost of widening and repaving the runway.

Additional grant money is being sought to add a full-length taxiway, and more hangars are planned for the south end of the airport, Julie Clemens said.

The airport offers aircraft rentals, repair, flight training and ground school. It also administers Federal Aviation Administration testing as well as testing in other fields, such as medical, meteorological or construction.