Easterwood Airport
Encyclopedia
Easterwood Airport , also known as Easterwood Field, is the regional airport for Texas A&M University
, Bryan-College Station
and Brazos County, Texas
, USA. The airport is owned by Texas A&M University. Easily accessible from Farm-To-Market Road 60 West (Raymond Stotzer Parkway), it is located three miles (5 km) southwest of College Station
and 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) from Texas A&M University
.
The William A. McKenzie Terminal at Easterwood Airport provides daily flights within Texas to Dallas
and Houston
. The terminal offers complimentary 2 hour visitor parking as well as drop off areas on the upper level and shuttle/taxi pick up areas on the lower level.
Within the terminal the airline ticket counters, TSA
security checkpoint, and boarding areas are located on the upper level.
Baggage claim and rental car agencies are located on the lower level of the terminal.
(as Texas A&M was known at the time) authorized the development of an airport at the existing site. The University applied to the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) for certification as a primary flight training school under provisions of the Civilian Pilot Training Program.
In May 1940, the airport was opened and formally named for Navy Lt. Jesse L. Easterwood. Easterwood was a former student of the college who enlisted in the British Royal Naval Air Service
in 1917. After being commissioned as Ensign, he was later promoted to Lieutenant in the Naval Air Service and was the second American to qualify as Naval Aviation Pilot. He served with the Royal Flying Corps
in 1918 and had to his credit sixteen successful raids behind German lines. He served in three foreign countries and was killed in an airplane accident in the Canal Zone May 19, 1919. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously "for distinguished and heroic service as an aviator."
The original facility in 1940 consisted of one hangar and a turf landing strip and taxiway which were eventually paved through funding provided by the CAA, the Works Projects Administration (WPA), and Texas A&M.
In 1948 a large hangar was relocated to the airfield from a US Army flying field near Corsicana, Texas
. The FAA established a Flight Service Station (FSS) at the Airport in 1951 and Pioneer Airlines began scheduled air service in that same year. Many changes have occurred over the years including moving the Flight Service Station to Montgomery County and Colgan Air
(operating as Continental Connection
) and American Eagle
now provide scheduled air service.
The first control tower was erected at the Airport in 1952 and a commercial passenger terminal was constructed in 1957. Work began on an extension of Runway 16-34 to its present 7001 feet (2,133.9 m) length in 1984. At the same time the associated parallel taxiway to Runway 16-34 was also extended.
In 1988, work began on improvements to the Airport access road and initial construction of a new passenger terminal began. The new McKenzie Terminal became operational in 1990. Upon completion of the McKenzie Terminal, plans were made to convert the old passenger terminal into a general aviation terminal to meet the needs of these passengers and pilots, including corporate operators that use the Airport. The old passenger facility was remodeled to meet the needs of this segment of the aviation community and re-opened for service in 1994 as a modern general aviation facility, housing line service and support personnel as well as flight operations.
The airport is equipped with two 5150 feet (1,569.7 m) runways, one 7000 feet (2,133.6 m) paved, all weather runway, an approach lighting system, an FAA control tower, FAA radio communication and an OmniRange-ILS Navigation Aid.
For the 12-month period ending March 1, 2005, the airport had 60,395 aircraft operations, an average of 165 per day: 61% general aviation
, 28% military, 11% air taxi
and <1% scheduled commercial. At that time there were 48 aircraft based at this airport: 81% single-engine and 19% multi-engine.
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, Bryan-College Station
Bryan-College Station metropolitan area
The Bryan–College Station Metropolitan Statistical Area is a metropolitan area in the Brazos Valley region of Texas that covers three counties: Brazos, Burleson, and Robertson...
and Brazos County, Texas
Brazos County, Texas
Brazos County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas in the Central Texas region. In 2010, its population was 194,851. The county seat is Bryan and it is part of the Bryan-College Station metropolitan area. Brazos is named for the Brazos River, along with Brazoria...
, USA. The airport is owned by Texas A&M University. Easily accessible from Farm-To-Market Road 60 West (Raymond Stotzer Parkway), it is located three miles (5 km) southwest of College Station
College Station, Texas
College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in East Central Texas in the heart of the Brazos Valley. The city is located within the most populated region of Texas, near three of the 10 largest cities in the United States - Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio...
and 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) from Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
.
The William A. McKenzie Terminal at Easterwood Airport provides daily flights within Texas to Dallas
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Texas...
and Houston
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is a Class B international airport in Houston, Texas, serving the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the United States. Located north of Downtown Houston between Interstate 45 and U.S. Highway 59...
. The terminal offers complimentary 2 hour visitor parking as well as drop off areas on the upper level and shuttle/taxi pick up areas on the lower level.
Within the terminal the airline ticket counters, TSA
TSA
TSA most often refers to:* Transportation Security Administration, in the United States Department of Homeland Security* Tourette Syndrome Association, advocacy organizationbut may also refer to:- Organizations :...
security checkpoint, and boarding areas are located on the upper level.
Baggage claim and rental car agencies are located on the lower level of the terminal.
History
In 1938, the Board of Directors of the Agricultural and Mechanical College of TexasTexas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
(as Texas A&M was known at the time) authorized the development of an airport at the existing site. The University applied to the Civil Aeronautics Authority (CAA) for certification as a primary flight training school under provisions of the Civilian Pilot Training Program.
In May 1940, the airport was opened and formally named for Navy Lt. Jesse L. Easterwood. Easterwood was a former student of the college who enlisted in the British Royal Naval Air Service
Royal Naval Air Service
The Royal Naval Air Service or RNAS was the air arm of the Royal Navy until near the end of the First World War, when it merged with the British Army's Royal Flying Corps to form a new service , the Royal Air Force...
in 1917. After being commissioned as Ensign, he was later promoted to Lieutenant in the Naval Air Service and was the second American to qualify as Naval Aviation Pilot. He served with the Royal Flying Corps
Royal Flying Corps
The Royal Flying Corps was the over-land air arm of the British military during most of the First World War. During the early part of the war, the RFC's responsibilities were centred on support of the British Army, via artillery co-operation and photographic reconnaissance...
in 1918 and had to his credit sixteen successful raids behind German lines. He served in three foreign countries and was killed in an airplane accident in the Canal Zone May 19, 1919. He was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously "for distinguished and heroic service as an aviator."
The original facility in 1940 consisted of one hangar and a turf landing strip and taxiway which were eventually paved through funding provided by the CAA, the Works Projects Administration (WPA), and Texas A&M.
In 1948 a large hangar was relocated to the airfield from a US Army flying field near Corsicana, Texas
Corsicana, Texas
Corsicana is a city in Navarro County, Texas, United States. It is located on Interstate 45 some fifty-five miles south of downtown Dallas. The population was 24,485 at the 2000 census...
. The FAA established a Flight Service Station (FSS) at the Airport in 1951 and Pioneer Airlines began scheduled air service in that same year. Many changes have occurred over the years including moving the Flight Service Station to Montgomery County and Colgan Air
Colgan Air
Colgan Air, Inc. is an American certificated regional airline subsidiary of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. The headquarters of Colgan Air are located in Memphis, Tennessee....
(operating as Continental Connection
Continental Connection
Continental Connection is a brand name under which several commuter airline carriers and their holding companies operate services marketed exclusively by Continental Airlines...
) and 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...
now provide scheduled air service.
The first control tower was erected at the Airport in 1952 and a commercial passenger terminal was constructed in 1957. Work began on an extension of Runway 16-34 to its present 7001 feet (2,133.9 m) length in 1984. At the same time the associated parallel taxiway to Runway 16-34 was also extended.
In 1988, work began on improvements to the Airport access road and initial construction of a new passenger terminal began. The new McKenzie Terminal became operational in 1990. Upon completion of the McKenzie Terminal, plans were made to convert the old passenger terminal into a general aviation terminal to meet the needs of these passengers and pilots, including corporate operators that use the Airport. The old passenger facility was remodeled to meet the needs of this segment of the aviation community and re-opened for service in 1994 as a modern general aviation facility, housing line service and support personnel as well as flight operations.
Facilities and aircraft
For the 12-month period ending March 1, 2005, the airport had 60,395 aircraft operations, an average of 165 per day: 61% general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
, 28% military, 11% air taxi
Air taxi
An air taxi is an air charter passenger or cargo aircraft which operates on an on-demand basis.-Regulation:In the United States, air taxi and air charter operations are governed by Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations , unlike the larger scheduled air carriers which are governed by more...
and <1% scheduled commercial. At that time there were 48 aircraft based at this airport: 81% single-engine and 19% multi-engine.
Airlines and destinations
External links
- Easterwood Airport, official web site