NATCHEZ — From a kitchen the size of a very small bathroom Sharon Goodrich is trying to bring new life to the Natchez- Adams County Airport.

For the past three years the kitchen at the airport has been closed.

But that all changed when Goodrich opened, The Pilot’s Inn, the restaurant at the airport in February.

To call Goodrich’s venture a restaurant may be a bit overstated.

The kitchen and dining area occupy most of the top floor of the airport terminal.

While there are tables and chairs they’re not in what could be considered a traditional dining setting.

One of them is even set up on the roof.

But Goodrich likes it.

“It’s peaceful,” she said. “Very quiet.”

And while rooftop dining at the airport might not be top on of the lunch list for devout downtowners, it’s actually a quaint spot.

The back wall of the dining area is made of windows and offers sweeping views of the runway and surrounding wooded areas.

For Goodrich the views are reason enough to go to work.

“We’re really into aviation,” she said of herself and husband.

Goodrich said one of her favorite parts of the job is watching planes come and go from the airport.

And the passengers on those planes will get the ultimate benefit from the restaurantAirport Manager Clint Pomeroy said.

Pomeroy said for an airport the size of Natchez’s to have a restaurant is rare.

“This can help us get noticed,” he said.

Pomeroy said the airport’s location, about 10 minutes out of town, makes it difficult for pilots or passengers to fly in, get lunch and leave in a short amount of time.

Goodrich pointed out that the restaurant is actually close enough to town for those wanting a quick lunch to come in also.

Goodrich’s menu is small but heartfelt and that can help quick service.

She cuts her own french-fries and makes almost everything else from scratch.

“Processed fries don’t taste like french-fries,” she said.

Pomeroy said it’s not uncommon to see locals upstairs on their lunch hour enjoying Goodrich’s food.

“And those fries are good,” he said.