Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport is a public airport
located 3 NM southwest of the central business district
of Janesville
, and north of Beloit
in Rock County
, Wisconsin
, United States
. Formerly known as Rock County Airport, it is owned and operated by the Rock County government. The airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service.
Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport is home to the annual "Southern Wisconsin AirFEST", an event that features leading aviation performing groups, such as the Blue Angels
, the Thunderbirds
, and the Masters of Disaster
.
in 1942. Training was provided by Morey Airplane Company using 3 turf runway locations in 3 separate Township sections. C-47 Skytrain
s and Waco CG-4
unpowered Gliders were not used. The production CG-4A gliders were not delivered until after these northern civilian schools were closed. Aircraft furnished by the Army were single engine L type Cessna, Aeronca and Piper. There were no gliders and there was no glider towing. These schools became known as dead stick training. The mission of the school was to train glider pilot students in approaches from various altitudes with the engine off, landing at a mark, night landing and strange field landing. Ground school instruction was in navigation, maintenance, meteorology, instruments, aircraft identification, chemical warfare defense, customs of service and physical training and drill.
These schools were inactivated at the end of 1942 or sooner. The farm fields specifically used in Rock County were turned back to the farmer when the schools were closed. None of this glider pilot training in Rock County occurred at or on the current Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport space.
s:
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2004, the airport had 68,971 aircraft operations, an average of 188 per day: 91% general aviation
, 7% air taxi
, 2% military and 1% scheduled commercial. There are 118 aircraft based at the airport: 72% single engine, 17% multi-engine, 8% jet aircraft and helicopters.
Headliners From Year's Past
2002: None
2003: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
were originally scheduled to perform but due to an accident in late September they were unable to perform at the airshow.In their place was the CF-18 Hornet
2004: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
2005: U.S. Navy Blue Angels
2006: U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper East Demo Team
2007: U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper East Demo Team & Codename: Mary's Lamb
2008: Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds
2009: U.S. Navy Blue Angels
2010: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
& Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds
2011: To Be Announced.
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 3 NM 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 Janesville
Janesville, Wisconsin
Janesville is a city in southern Wisconsin, United States. It is the county seat of Rock County and the principal municipality of the Janesville, Wisconsin Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 62,998.-History:...
, and north of Beloit
Beloit, Wisconsin
Beloit is a city in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. As of the 2010 census, Beloit had a population of 36,966. The greater Beloit area is home to more than 91,000 residents.-Claim to fame:...
in Rock County
Rock County, Wisconsin
-Unincorporated communities:-Further reading:* . Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1879.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908.* Brown, William F. , Chicago: Cooper, 1908....
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Formerly known as Rock County Airport, it is owned and operated by the Rock County government. The airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service.
Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport is home to the annual "Southern Wisconsin AirFEST", an event that features leading aviation performing groups, such as the Blue Angels
Blue Angels
The United States Navy's Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, popularly known as the Blue Angels, was formed in 1946 and is currently the oldest formal flying aerobatic team...
, the Thunderbirds
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force , based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked USAF jet aircraft...
, and the Masters of Disaster
Masters of Disaster
]The Masters of Disaster are an airshow team that performs edge of your seat aerobatics in combination with ground based jet-propelled trucks and pyrotechnics...
.
History
Several Rock County farms provided land for contract glider pilot training to the United States Army Air ForcesUnited 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....
in 1942. Training was provided by Morey Airplane Company using 3 turf runway locations in 3 separate Township sections. C-47 Skytrain
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
s and Waco CG-4
Waco CG-4
The Waco CG-4 was the most widely used United States troop/cargo military glider of World War II. It was designated the CG-4 by the United States Army Air Forces, and named Hadrian in British military service....
unpowered Gliders were not used. The production CG-4A gliders were not delivered until after these northern civilian schools were closed. Aircraft furnished by the Army were single engine L type Cessna, Aeronca and Piper. There were no gliders and there was no glider towing. These schools became known as dead stick training. The mission of the school was to train glider pilot students in approaches from various altitudes with the engine off, landing at a mark, night landing and strange field landing. Ground school instruction was in navigation, maintenance, meteorology, instruments, aircraft identification, chemical warfare defense, customs of service and physical training and drill.
These schools were inactivated at the end of 1942 or sooner. The farm fields specifically used in Rock County were turned back to the farmer when the schools were closed. None of this glider pilot training in Rock County occurred at or on the current Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport space.
Facilities and aircraft
Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport covers an area of 1343 acres (543.5 ha) containing three 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 4/22: 6,701 x 150 ft (2,042 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
- Runway 14/32: 7,300 x 150 ft (2,225 x 46 m), Surface: Concrete
- Runway 18/36: 5,000 x 75 ft (1,524 x 23 m), Surface: Asphalt
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2004, the airport had 68,971 aircraft operations, an average of 188 per day: 91% 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...
, 7% 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...
, 2% military and 1% scheduled commercial. There are 118 aircraft based at the airport: 72% single engine, 17% multi-engine, 8% jet aircraft and helicopters.
Southern Wisconsin AirFest
This annual event attracts spectators from all over the United States the show has hosted all 3 North American Jet Teams. The 2011 Show is scheduled for Sept 9th-11th with a special Sept. 11th Memorial Event on Sunday the 11th.Headliners From Year's Past
2002: None
2003: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force , based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked USAF jet aircraft...
were originally scheduled to perform but due to an accident in late September they were unable to perform at the airshow.In their place was the CF-18 Hornet
CF-18 Hornet
The McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet is a Royal Canadian Air Force fighter aircraft, based on the American McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter. In 1980, the F/A-18 was selected as the winner of the New Fighter Aircraft competition, and a production order was awarded...
2004: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force , based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked USAF jet aircraft...
2005: U.S. Navy Blue Angels
2006: U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper East Demo Team
2007: U.S. Air Force F-16 Viper East Demo Team & Codename: Mary's Lamb
2008: Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds
Snowbirds
Officially known as the Royal Canadian Air Force's 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The squadron is based at...
2009: U.S. Navy Blue Angels
2010: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the U.S. Air Force , based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. The squadron tours the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked USAF jet aircraft...
& Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds
Snowbirds
Officially known as the Royal Canadian Air Force's 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or air show flight demonstration team whose purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The squadron is based at...
2011: To Be Announced.
Other sources
- Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004.
- Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942-2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas ASIN: B000NYX3PC
- 1943 Glider Program Studies, USAF Historical Studies, Maxwell.
External links
- Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport at Rock County web site at Wisconsin DOT Airport Directory
- Southern Wisconsin AirFEST, official site