Tri-Cities Airport (Washington)
Encyclopedia
Tri-Cities Airport is a public airport
located 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Pasco
, in Franklin County, Washington, USA
. It is the third largest commercial airport in the State of Washington, and has three runways.
built Naval Air Station Pasco
during World War II
. After the war, the Navy sold the field to the city of Pasco
, but still retains training privileges. Several Navy aircraft, especially the P-3 Orion
, use the field for landing and take-off training. The Port of Pasco then took ownership in 1963 and opened doors to a new Terminal Building in 1966.
In 1955, the old administration building became the home of the newly-established Columbia Basin College
, which it remained until the current facility near Interstate 182
was constructed in 1966. The building later was leased to the Pasco School District #1, for use as Pasco Alternative High School (now New Horizons High School) until it was destroyed by fire in the mid 1980's. The new school is now sited near Columbia Basin College.
A substantial expansion and remodel project took place in 1986 that included access roads, parking lots, aircraft parking apron and more than doubling the size of the terminal building.
In 2003, the airport underwent another expansion and remodel that added an additional 3000 square feet (278.7 m²) to the ticket lobby and boarding area.
The airport is currently undergoing a major resurfacing of the runways, which is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
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 2 miles (3 km) northwest of Pasco
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
, in Franklin County, Washington, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is the third largest commercial airport in the State of Washington, and has three runways.
History
The Tri-Cities Airport (then the Pasco Airport) was site of the first air mail contract flight between Elko, Nevada and Pasco, Washington made by Varney Airlines, (later United Airlines) in 1926. The airport was relocated to its present site and became known as the Franklin County Airport. The United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
built Naval Air Station Pasco
Naval Air Station Pasco
Naval Air Station Pasco was a United States Navy air station located 2 miles northwest of Pasco, in Franklin County, Washington, USA. After the war, it was redeveloped into Tri-Cities Airport.-History:...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, the Navy sold the field to the city of Pasco
Pasco, Washington
Pasco is a city in and the county seat of Franklin County, Washington, United States.Pasco is one of three cities that make up the Tri-Cities region of the state of Washington...
, but still retains training privileges. Several Navy aircraft, especially the P-3 Orion
P-3 Orion
The Lockheed P-3 Orion is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft developed for the United States Navy and introduced in the 1960s. Lockheed based it on the L-188 Electra commercial airliner. The aircraft is easily recognizable by its distinctive tail stinger or...
, use the field for landing and take-off training. The Port of Pasco then took ownership in 1963 and opened doors to a new Terminal Building in 1966.
In 1955, the old administration building became the home of the newly-established Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College
Columbia Basin College is a community college based in Pasco, Washington. The College offers many associate degrees and one baccalaureate business degree in applied management....
, which it remained until the current facility near Interstate 182
Interstate 182
Interstate 182 is a Interstate Highway that extends from I-82 west of Richland to US 12 in Pasco. It serves the Tri-Cities. The whole length of I-182 is concurrent with US 12, which extends westwards to Yakima, Naches, and Aberdeen and extends eastwards to Walla Walla, Lewiston, Idaho,...
was constructed in 1966. The building later was leased to the Pasco School District #1, for use as Pasco Alternative High School (now New Horizons High School) until it was destroyed by fire in the mid 1980's. The new school is now sited near Columbia Basin College.
A substantial expansion and remodel project took place in 1986 that included access roads, parking lots, aircraft parking apron and more than doubling the size of the terminal building.
In 2003, the airport underwent another expansion and remodel that added an additional 3000 square feet (278.7 m²) to the ticket lobby and boarding area.
Current use
The airport's terminal at the south end of the field is currently the property of the Port of Pasco, and is the northern terminus of North 20th Avenue. Firefighting services, however, is handled by the City of Pasco. A new fire station has recently been built on the terminal grounds. The old Navy station buildings on the north end of the airport are currently being used by other firms, most notably Bergstrom Aircraft, which specializes in general aviation flight lessons.The airport is currently undergoing a major resurfacing of the runways, which is funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Airlines and destinations
External links
- Port of Pasco: Tri-Cities Airport
- WSDOTWashington State Department of TransportationThe Washington State Department of Transportation , was established in 1905. The agency, led by a Secretary and overseen by the Governor, is a Washington governmental agency that constructs, maintains, and regulates the use of the state's transportation infrastructure...
Pilot's Guide: Tri-Cities - WSDOT Economic Impacts: Tri-Cities Airport