ORANGEBURG, S.C. — This week Orangeburg City Council voted in favor of renaming its municipal airport terminal in honor of former airport manager Carroll Joye. Joye has left his mark on the city by teaching hundreds to fly.
“I don’t know why I love it so much, but I do, I really do and that’s all I can say. I never figured out exactly why I love flying," said Joye.
To many, Joye has been seen as a pioneer for aviation in Orangeburg County. He served in the U.S. Airforce for 22 years and later became manager of the Orangeburg Municipal airport. Now, the city is renaming its terminal in his honor.
Throughout his tenure, he has logged 30,000 hours of flying and taught 750 students.
“When I fly with a student, I give them whatever I’ve got to give, in such a way they’ve got to remember it," said Joye.
Richard Smith is one of the many students he's taught to fly over the years starting at the age of 12 and is now a full time pilot.
“Certainly inspired every aspect of what I do in aviation. You know, pilots love what they do, it’s their passion and Carroll’s always had that and he kinda radiates that," said Smith.
Joye has five decades of experience under his belt. He's flown all across the world from Spain to Germany. In 2003, he was inducted into the South Carolina Aviation Association Hall of Fame. He says he has no plans of slowing down.
“I intend to fly until the day when the good Lord calls me.”