Barnes Municipal Airport
Encyclopedia
- See: Barnes Air National Guard BaseBarnes Air National Guard BaseBarnes Air National Guard Base has hosted the Massachusetts Air National Guard 104th Fighter Wing since 1946.-History:...
for United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
use of the airport
Barnes Municipal Airport , also known as Westfield-Barnes Airport, is a tower-controlled joint civil-military public airport
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 three miles (5 km) north 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 Westfield
Westfield, Massachusetts
Westfield is a city in Hampden County, in the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Springfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 41,094 at the 2010 census. The ZIP Code is 01085 for homes and businesses, 01086 for Westfield State...
, a city in Hampden County
Hampden County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2004, there were 461,228 people, 175,288 households, and 115,690 families residing in the county. The population density was 738 people per square mile . There were 185,876 housing units at an average density of 301 per square mile...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This airport is owned by City of Westfield. The airport is also northwest of the larger city of Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
and the FAA lists the location as "Westfield/Springfield".
Barnes is one of Massachusetts' largest airports with a strong flight training, 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...
, and military presence.
History
July 13, 1914 can be the date where aviationAviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
in Westfield is traced back to. Jack McGee of Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
flew a Wright biplane over Westfield and the flight originated on a strip of land near Southampton Road and the Holyoke Rail Bridge. McGee was hired by local merchants to drop tickets from his airplane which could have been claimed for prizes.
Following the entry of the United States into World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, however, the expansive plain was heavily utilized by the federal government in August-September 1917 as Camp Bartlett, a mobilization and training camp for the 103rd and 104th Infantry Regiments of the 26th "Yankee" Division
26th Infantry Division (United States)
The 26th Infantry Division was an infantry division of the United States Army. As a major formation of the Massachusetts Army National Guard, it was based in Boston, Massachusetts for most of its history...
, prior to deployment in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
.
In 1923, citizens of Westfield, and nearby Holyoke
Holyoke, Massachusetts
Holyoke is a city in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States, between the western bank of the Connecticut River and the Mount Tom Range of mountains. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 39,880...
set out to build an airport. A group of influential local businessmen was charged to convince the owner of the land where the airport is now, Vincent E. Barnes, to sell his land to the City of Westfield for an airport. Barnes agreed to give up his land and he didn't ask for a mere penny from the city or the businessmen. The 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) plot was named Westfield Aviation Field and was dedicated on October 12, 1923. However as the field gained in popularity, Vincent Barnes leased the city another 27 acres (109,265.2 m²) plot, with only a fee of $1 per year starting in 1927. In 1936, Mrs. Barnes and her daughter Saddie Knox donated an additional 297 acres (1.2 km²) to the city of Westfield. Shortly thereafter, the City Council voted to name the airport after the family who made it possible, Barnes.
Between 1939 and 1940, the administration building, hangar, and the beacon light were built with grant money totaling near $90,000. Soon, a passenger service was started out of the airport. on October 28, 1937, a 10 passenger Stinson Trimotor aircraft began flying between Westfield and Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. Later 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...
began to operate out of Westfield using DC-3 aircraft in 1938.
Over the last 50 years, the airport has added numerous infrastructure improvements including another runway, 15/33 which has a length of 5000 feet (1,524 m). Also a VORTAC
VHF omnidirectional range
VOR, short for VHF omnidirectional radio range, is a type of radio navigation system for aircraft. A VOR ground station broadcasts a VHF radio composite signal including the station's identifier, voice , and navigation signal. The identifier is typically a two- or three-letter string in Morse code...
and an 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...
system have been put in making the airport more attractive for General Aviation pilots as well. Most importantly in 1974, the airport's Air Traffic Control Tower was opened easing traffic congestion at the airport.
Facilities
Barnes Municipal Airport covers an area of 1,200 acres (5 km²) which contains two paved 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: 2/20 measuring 9,000 x 150 ft (2,743 x 46 m) and 15/33 measuring 5,000 x 100 ft (1,524 x 30 m). The airport has recently opened a new administration and terminal which replaced an aging terminal building that used to house the original control tower.
The airport is also the site of a major Massachusetts Air National Guard fighter jet wing and support installation.
Aircraft
For 12-month period ending December 31, 2005, the airport had 60,855 aircraft operations, an average of 166 per day: 86% general aviationGeneral 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...
, 13% military, 1% 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.
There are 149 aircraft based at this airport: 71% single engine, 7% multi-engine, 5% jet aircraft and 17% military.
Fixed Base Operators
Barnes Municipal Airport has two fixed base operators (FBOs).Five Star Jet Center, the original established FBO at Barnes, offers services such as fuel, maintenance, hangar storage, catering, and transportation, to charter and international business flights. It also owns two Learjet 31A Corporate Jets. They recently switched to Air BP, and now have the newest fueling equipment at the airport.
AirFlyte, Inc. is an FBO that also operates in the new admin building which includes a conference room, weather facilities, and comprehensive pilot services. They sell Shell fuel and provide typical FBO services such as tie-downs.
Flight schools
Barnes Municipal Airport has two FAA-approved flight schools.The largest program is an official part 141 flight school named Five Star Flight Academy, (a separate business from Five Star Jet Center mentioned above). The flight school offers instruction in 3 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, a Cessna 150
Cessna 150
The Cessna 150 is a two-seat tricycle gear general aviation airplane, that was designed for flight training, touring and personal use.The Cessna 150 is the seventh most produced civilian plane ever, with 23,839 aircraft produced...
, a Cessna 172 Cutlass RG and a Piper Seneca. It is run by a current DHL Airbus A300
Airbus A300
The Airbus A300 is a short- to medium-range widebody jet airliner. Launched in 1972 as the world's first twin-engined widebody, it was the first product of Airbus Industrie, a consortium of European aerospace companies, wholly owned today by EADS...
pilot and a Springfield
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
.
In addition, AD-UP Aviation operates a part 61 flight school out of the new terminal building. The school is run by a Master Certified Flight instructor, one of fewer than a dozen in Massachusetts. Instruction is given in high-wing, tail-dragger, and spin training.
Restaurant and bar
The former Flight Deck restaurant was replaced with The Runway Restaurant and Lounge when the new terminal opened. The Runway is operated by the owner of the now-closed B'Sharas Restaurant of West Springfield. It features a full menu and bar. The Runway, like most of the terminal, is open to the public. Special events at the Runway have planned to coordinate with airshows and other important airport activities.External links
- Westfield-Barnes Airport (official site)
- Five Star Jet Center (FBO/Flight School)
- AirFlyte, Inc. (FBO)
- AD-UP Aviation (Flight School/Aerial Advertising)
- The Runway by B'Sharas (Restaurant and Bar)