East Texas Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
East Texas Regional Airport is a public airport located eight miles south of Longview, Texas
. The airport has two intersecting runways and its IATA identifier "GGG" comes from its prior name (Gregg County Airport), derived from its location in Gregg County, Texas
.
GGG is mostly used for general aviation and military training operations, but scheduled airline service to Dallas/Fort Worth is provided by American Airlines
/American Eagle
. There are two fixed-base operators
on the field; Stebbins Aviation and KRS Jet Center.
East Texas Regional is also home to LeTourneau University
's School of Aeronautical Science. LeTourneau constitutes a very large portion of the airport's traffic and has a fleet of airplanes ranging from Cessna 172
s to Citabrias and Diamond DA-42 Twinstars
. Most LeTourneau aircraft have tail numbers ending in "LU".
Each summer the airport plays host to the Great Texas Balloon Race
, a volunteer-run weekend event held annually since 1980.
In 2007 the airport was awarded a $6.5 million Airport Improvement Program
grant to accomplish major updates to the facility. Included among the projects were the resurfacing of Runway 13/31, as well as the relocation of the ILS
glideslope & MALSR
due to the creation of an 800' displaced threshold
on Runway 13 to comply with FAA runway safety area
standards. Additionally, former taxiway H (at the intersection of 18/36 and 13/31) was demolished after being identified as a potential "hot spot" for runway incursions. The improvements were completed in 2009.
Longview, Texas
Longview is a city in Gregg and Harrison Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. As of the 2010 Census, the population was 80,455. Most of the city is located in Gregg County, of which it is the county seat; only a small part extends into the western part of neighboring Harrison County. It is...
. The airport has two intersecting runways and its IATA identifier "GGG" comes from its prior name (Gregg County Airport), derived from its location in Gregg County, Texas
Gregg County, Texas
There were 42,687 households out of which 33.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were married couples living together, 13.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.50% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had...
.
GGG is mostly used for general aviation and military training operations, but scheduled airline service to Dallas/Fort Worth is provided by American Airlines
American Airlines
American Airlines, Inc. is the world's fourth-largest airline in passenger miles transported and operating revenues. American Airlines is a subsidiary of the AMR Corporation and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas adjacent to its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport...
/American Eagle
American Eagle Airlines
American Eagle Airlines is a brand name used by American Eagle Airlines, Inc. , based in Fort Worth, Texas, and Executive Airlines based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the operation of passenger air service as regional affiliates of American Airlines. All three airlines are wholly owned subsidiaries...
. There are two fixed-base operators
FBO
FBO may refer to:* Faith-based organization, an organization with religious motivation.* Family business office, an organization that manages investments and trusts for a single wealthy family.* Film Booking Offices of America, a 1920s American film studio....
on the field; Stebbins Aviation and KRS Jet Center.
East Texas Regional is also home to LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University
LeTourneau University is a private, interdenominational Christian university located in Longview, Texas, United States with flagship programs in engineering, aeronautical science, business and education...
's School of Aeronautical Science. LeTourneau constitutes a very large portion of the airport's traffic and has a fleet of airplanes ranging from Cessna 172
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
s to Citabrias and Diamond DA-42 Twinstars
Diamond DA42
The Diamond DA42 Twin Star is a four seat, twin engine, propeller-driven airplane manufactured by Diamond Aircraft Industries. Its airframe is molded largely of composite materials.-Development:...
. Most LeTourneau aircraft have tail numbers ending in "LU".
Each summer the airport plays host to the Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race
Great Texas Balloon Race is held each July near the City of Longview, Texas. It is billed as "The longest running hot-air balloon event in Texas."The Great Texas Balloon Race Story:...
, a volunteer-run weekend event held annually since 1980.
In 2007 the airport was awarded a $6.5 million Airport Improvement Program
Airport Improvement Program
The Airport Improvement Program is a United States federal grant program that provides funds to airports to help improve safety and efficiency. Improvement projects relate to runways, taxiways, ramps, lighting, signage, weather stations, NAVAIDs, land acquisition, and some areas of planning...
grant to accomplish major updates to the facility. Included among the projects were the resurfacing of Runway 13/31, as well as the relocation of the ILS
Instrument Landing System
An instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
glideslope & MALSR
Approach Lighting System
An approach lighting system, or ALS, is a lighting system installed on the approach end of an airport runway and consisting of a series of lightbars, strobe lights, or a combination of the two that extends outward from the runway end...
due to the creation of an 800' displaced threshold
Displaced threshold
A displaced threshold is a runway threshold located at a point other than the physical beginning or end of the runway. The portion of the runway so displaced may be used for takeoff but not for landing...
on Runway 13 to comply with FAA runway safety area
Runway safety area
A runway safety area or runway end safety area is defined as "the surface surrounding the runway prepared or suitable for reducing the risk of damage to airplanes in the event of an undershoot, overshoot, or excursion from the runway."Past standards called for the RSA to extend only 60m from the...
standards. Additionally, former taxiway H (at the intersection of 18/36 and 13/31) was demolished after being identified as a potential "hot spot" for runway incursions. The improvements were completed in 2009.