Montgomery Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
Montgomery Regional Airport , also known as Dannelly Field, is a joint civil-military public airport
located six miles (9.7 km) southwest of the central business district
of Montgomery
, a city in Montgomery County
and the capital of the U.S. state
of Alabama
. It is mostly used for military and general aviation
, but is also served by three commercial airlines.
, a military facility founded by the Wright Brothers
west of the city. To provide for the separate needs of commercial aviation, the City of Montgomery opened its original municipal airport in 1929 east of the city. This facility was later named Gunter Field
and was served by a predecessor of American Airlines
. Eastern Air Lines
subsequently took over service at Gunter.
In 1940 the War Department
chose Gunter for a new pilot training facility. Gunter quickly became congested, Eastern Airlines was forced to move temporarily to Maxwell, and the city purchased a tract southwest of downtown on US 80 to replace Gunter for civilian aviation. Separately, the Army Air Force
identified a need for seven auxiliary fields in the vicinity of Gunter and the city and USAAF agreed that the city's newly purchased site would also serve as Gunter's auxiliary field #6. It opened in 1943 and was named for ENS
Clarence Moore Dannelly, Jr., USN, a Navy pilot killed in a 1940 training accident and considered to be the first casualty of World War II from Montgomery. The old Army Air Force hangars are now part of the Montgomery Aviation complex. The original three runways, and their original dimensions, were:
When Dannelly Field opened, Eastern moved its operations there. The city took title to Dannelly in 1946, although joint commercial and military use continued, and erected a permanent passenger terminal and control tower north of Runway 9/27 in 1955. While Runway 9/27 was being rebuilt in 1963, and again in 1970, commercial flights were temporarily diverted to Maxwell.
s:
The air carrier terminal has been expanded and modified several times since 1955. A $40 million capital program that finished in November 2006 doubled the size of the terminal, completely transformed its appearance, and modernized it with 2nd floor boarding, jetway loading bridges, and a rotunda with a domed ceiling that simulates sunrises, sunsets, and stars at night.
The air carrier apron, as well as the main runway and taxiways, can accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 747 and Antonov 124.
There are numerous corporate aviation hangars and support facilities. A proposal to extend Runway 3/21 to 7200 feet (2,194.6 m) is currently under consideration. A new control tower was built in 1996 south of Runway 10/28.
's 187th Fighter Wing
(187 FW), based on the west side of the airport at Montgomery Air National Guard Base
, operates a squadron of F-16C aircraft. The 187th Fighter Wing evolved from the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron that began operating at Dannelly Field in 1953. During its history, the 187th and its predecessor have based several types of aircraft at Montgomery, including the RF-51 Mustang, RF-80 Shooting Star, RF-84 Thunderflash, RF-4 Phantom II, F-4 Phantom II
and C-131 Samaritan
.
The Alabama Army National Guard
has an aviation support facility on the south side of the airport. Although primarily oriented to helicopter operations, fixed-wing aircraft can also be accommodated.
An Air National Guard
Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit is located at the airport, equipped with multiple fire fighting and rescue vehicles, to augment the airport's civilian ARFF unit.
, Eastern Metro Express, Southern Airways
, Republic Airlines
, Piedmont Aviation
, Sun Airlines, Southeast Air, South Central Air Transport (SCAT), Air Illinois
, Ocean Airways, Continental Airlines
, Continental Express
and Northwest Airlink
. Although 50-70 passenger regional jets are now the dominant scheduled aircraft, in past years airlines such as Delta operated the DC-9, MD-80, 737
, 727
, and briefly even the DC-8 on a scheduled basis.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located six miles (9.7 km) southwest of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Montgomery
Montgomery, Alabama
Montgomery is the capital of the U.S. state of Alabama, and is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is located on the Alabama River southeast of the center of the state, in the Gulf Coastal Plain. As of the 2010 census, Montgomery had a population of 205,764 making it the second-largest city...
, a city in Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Alabama
Montgomery County is a county in the U.S. state of Alabama. It is the most populous county in the Montgomery Metropolitan Statistical Area; its population in 2010 was 229,363 .- History :...
and the capital of the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. It is mostly used for military and 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...
, but is also served by three commercial airlines.
History
From the outset, commercial aviation and military aviation have been intertwined in Montgomery. The first commercial air services in Montgomery operated at Maxwell FieldMaxwell Field
Maxwell Field was the football stadium located behind the former location of Louisville Male High School, 911 S. Brook St., Louisville, Kentucky, 40203 which was bounded by the streets of Brook, Breckinridge, Floyd, and Caldwell streets in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1984 a double murder known locally...
, a military facility founded by the Wright Brothers
Wright brothers
The Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur , were two Americans credited with inventing and building the world's first successful airplane and making the first controlled, powered and sustained heavier-than-air human flight, on December 17, 1903...
west of the city. To provide for the separate needs of commercial aviation, the City of Montgomery opened its original municipal airport in 1929 east of the city. This facility was later named Gunter Field
Gunter Air Force Base
Gunter Annex is a United States Air Force installation located in the North-northeast suburbs of Montgomery, Alabama. The base is named after former Montgomery mayor William Adams Gunter. Until 1992 it was known as Gunter Air Force Base or Gunter Air Force Station...
and was served by a predecessor of 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...
. Eastern Air Lines
Eastern Air Lines
Eastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from 1926 to 1991. Before its dissolution it was headquartered at Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida.-History:...
subsequently took over service at Gunter.
In 1940 the War Department
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
chose Gunter for a new pilot training facility. Gunter quickly became congested, Eastern Airlines was forced to move temporarily to Maxwell, and the city purchased a tract southwest of downtown on US 80 to replace Gunter for civilian aviation. Separately, the Army Air Force
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
identified a need for seven auxiliary fields in the vicinity of Gunter and the city and USAAF agreed that the city's newly purchased site would also serve as Gunter's auxiliary field #6. It opened in 1943 and was named for ENS
Ensign (rank)
Ensign is a junior rank of a commissioned officer in the armed forces of some countries, normally in the infantry or navy. As the junior officer in an infantry regiment was traditionally the carrier of the ensign flag, the rank itself acquired the name....
Clarence Moore Dannelly, Jr., USN, a Navy pilot killed in a 1940 training accident and considered to be the first casualty of World War II from Montgomery. The old Army Air Force hangars are now part of the Montgomery Aviation complex. The original three runways, and their original dimensions, were:
- 3/21: 4,000 x 150 ft (45.7 m) Still exists today.
- 9/27: 3,500 x 150 ft (45.7 m) Extended to 7000 ft (2,133.6 m) in 1955. Extended to 9000 ft (2,743.2 m) in 1963. Redesignated 10/28 in 1992.
- 15/33: 4,000 x 150 ft (45.7 m) Closed in 1981. Some portions remain as taxiway and apron.
When Dannelly Field opened, Eastern moved its operations there. The city took title to Dannelly in 1946, although joint commercial and military use continued, and erected a permanent passenger terminal and control tower north of Runway 9/27 in 1955. While Runway 9/27 was being rebuilt in 1963, and again in 1970, commercial flights were temporarily diverted to Maxwell.
Facilities
Montgomery Regional (Dannelly Field) Airport covers 1907 acres (771.7 ha) and has two runwayRunway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s:
- Runway 10/28: 9,010 x 150 ft. (2,746 x 46 m), Surface: AsphaltAsphaltAsphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
. CAT I ILS and approach lights on both ends. - Runway 3/21: 4,010 x 150 ft. (1,222 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
The air carrier terminal has been expanded and modified several times since 1955. A $40 million capital program that finished in November 2006 doubled the size of the terminal, completely transformed its appearance, and modernized it with 2nd floor boarding, jetway loading bridges, and a rotunda with a domed ceiling that simulates sunrises, sunsets, and stars at night.
The air carrier apron, as well as the main runway and taxiways, can accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 747 and Antonov 124.
There are numerous corporate aviation hangars and support facilities. A proposal to extend Runway 3/21 to 7200 feet (2,194.6 m) is currently under consideration. A new control tower was built in 1996 south of Runway 10/28.
Military use
The Alabama Air National GuardAlabama Air National Guard
The Alabama Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Alabama. It is, along with the Alabama Army National Guard, an element of the Alabama National Guard...
's 187th Fighter Wing
187th Fighter Wing
The United States Air Force's 187th Fighter Wing is a unit located at Dannelly Field, Alabama.-Mission:To provide the state Governor, National Command Authority, and Combatant Commanders with a superbly equipped and trained general purpose F-16C+ Block 30 Aviation Package, associated Expeditionary...
(187 FW), based on the west side of the airport at Montgomery Air National Guard Base
Montgomery Air National Guard Base
Montgomery Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Alabama Air National Guard 187th Fighter Wing.-Overview:Some of the world's best fighter pilots and support personnel call Montgomery Regional Airport home...
, operates a squadron of F-16C aircraft. The 187th Fighter Wing evolved from the 160th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron that began operating at Dannelly Field in 1953. During its history, the 187th and its predecessor have based several types of aircraft at Montgomery, including the RF-51 Mustang, RF-80 Shooting Star, RF-84 Thunderflash, RF-4 Phantom II, F-4 Phantom II
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
and C-131 Samaritan
C-131 Samaritan
The Convair C-131 Samaritan was an American military transport produced from 1954 to 1956. It is the military version of the Convair CV-240.-Design and development:...
.
The Alabama Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Established under Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code, the Army National Guard is part of the National Guard and is divided up into subordinate units stationed in each of the 50 states, three territories and the District of Columbia operating under their respective governors...
has an aviation support facility on the south side of the airport. Although primarily oriented to helicopter operations, fixed-wing aircraft can also be accommodated.
An Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit is located at the airport, equipped with multiple fire fighting and rescue vehicles, to augment the airport's civilian ARFF unit.
Airlines and destinations
Former airlines
Past airlines since 1955 have included Eastern Air LinesEastern Air Lines
Eastern Air Lines was a major United States airline that existed from 1926 to 1991. Before its dissolution it was headquartered at Miami International Airport in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida.-History:...
, Eastern Metro Express, Southern Airways
Southern Airways
Southern Airways was a regional airline operating in the United States from its founding by Frank Hulse in 1949 until 1979 when it merged with North Central Airlines to become Republic Airlines, which on October 1, 1986, became part of Northwest Airlines, which in 2008 became a part of Delta Air...
, Republic Airlines
Republic Airlines (1979-1986)
Republic Airlines was an airline formed on July 1, 1979 by the merger of North Central Airlines, Southern Airways, and Hughes Airwest. Its headquarters were located on the grounds of Minneapolis-St...
, Piedmont Aviation
Piedmont Airlines (1948-1989)
Piedmont Airlines was a major airline in the United States which operated from 1948 until its operations were merged into USAir in 1989. Its headquarters were located at One Piedmont Plaza in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, a building which is now part of Wake Forest University.As of April 1989,...
, Sun Airlines, Southeast Air, South Central Air Transport (SCAT), Air Illinois
Air Illinois
Air Illinois was a commuter airline based in Carbondale, Illinois.-History:Founded in 1970 in Carbondale, Illinois, Air Illinois primarily operated small twin turboprop aircraft such as the DeHavilland Twin Otter...
, Ocean Airways, Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines
Continental Airlines was a major American airline now merged with United Airlines. On May 3, 2010, Continental Airlines, Inc. and UAL, Inc. announced a merger via a stock swap, and on October 1, 2010, the merger closed and UAL changed its name to United Continental Holdings, Inc...
, Continental Express
Continental Express
Continental Express is the operating brand name used by a number of independently owned regional airlines providing regional jet feeder service under agreement with Continental Airlines...
and Northwest Airlink
Northwest Airlink
Northwest Airlink was the trade name of Northwest Airlines' regional airline service, which flew turboprop and regional jet aircraft from Northwest's domestic hubs in Minneapolis, Detroit, and Memphis...
. Although 50-70 passenger regional jets are now the dominant scheduled aircraft, in past years airlines such as Delta operated the DC-9, MD-80, 737
Boeing 737
The Boeing 737 is a short- to medium-range, twin-engine narrow-body jet airliner. Originally developed as a shorter, lower-cost twin-engine airliner derived from Boeing's 707 and 727, the 737 has developed into a family of nine passenger models with a capacity of 85 to 215 passengers...
, 727
Boeing 727
The Boeing 727 is a mid-size, narrow-body, three-engine, T-tailed commercial jet airliner, manufactured by Boeing. The Boeing 727 first flew in 1963, and for over a decade more were built per year than any other jet airliner. When production ended in 1984 a total of 1,832 aircraft had been produced...
, and briefly even the DC-8 on a scheduled basis.
External links
- Montgomery Regional Airport (official web site)
- 187th Fighter Wing, Alabama Air National Guard (official web site)