Cheyenne Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
Cheyenne Regional Airport , also known as Jerry Olson Field, is a 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 one mile (1.6 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 Cheyenne
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Wyoming and the county seat of Laramie County. It is the principal city of the Cheyenne, Wyoming, Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Laramie County. The population is 59,466 at the 2010 census. Cheyenne is the...

, a city in Laramie County
Laramie County, Wyoming
Laramie County is the most populous of the 23 counties of the U.S. state of Wyoming. The county is located in the southeastern corner of the state. The county's population was 91,738 at the 2010 census. The county seat is Cheyenne, the state capital...

, Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...

, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. It is owned by the Cheyenne Regional Airport Board. Cheyenne Regional Airport is a focus city for Great Lakes Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines , is an American regional airline operating domestic scheduled and charter services. Corporate headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with hubs at Denver International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, McCarran...

.

Cheyenne Regional Airport is also the home of Cheyenne Air National Guard Base
Cheyenne Air National Guard Base
Cheyenne Air National Guard Base is the home base of the Wyoming Air National Guard 153d Airlift Wing.-Overview:The 153d Airlift Wing of the Wyoming Air National Guard occupies approximately of leased land on the City of Cheyenne Regional Airport, located two miles north of downtown Cheyenne,...

, the main operating base for boththe Wyoming Air National Guard
Wyoming Air National Guard
The Wyoming Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Wyoming. It is, along with the Wyoming Army National Guard, an element of the Wyoming National Guard...

 (WyANG) and the Wyoming 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...

 (WARNG).

History

In 1911 Cheyenne entered the world of aviation. While the air demonstration at the fairgrounds that year was less than impressive, it marked the beginning of what would become a rich aviation history. Throughout the years, the Cheyenne Airport would not only impact the city's economy, but its cultural history, and the whole nation, as well.

It was the U.S. Post Office that gave Cheyenne's fledgling aviation efforts its first real boost. With the introduction of airmail routes following World War I, the Cheyenne civic leaders successfully lobbied to establish Cheyenne as a cross country site. Buck Heffron piloted the first air mail flight destined for Salt Lake City on September 9, 1920 . Heffron flew in a DH-4, an aircraft that could barely reach an altitude high enough to clear the mountains and had a maximum speed of 100 mi/h. The pilot was one of the brave aviators who took off on daring flights guided only by limited instruments, landmarks and a few maps.

Cheyenne's airport saw its first commercial passengers take to the skies in the 1920s. This first passenger was Elizabeth Brown, a female barber. She enjoyed a ride with World War I pilot, C.A. McKenzie, in a Curtis Oriole biplane. With the step up to the impressive DC-3 in 1935, passengers enjoyed greater comfort and safety. Soon, the famous DC-3s were flying Cheyenne passengers to both coasts and south to Denver via three major airlines.

The Boeing/United Airlines Terminal Building, Hangar and Fountain
Boeing/United Airlines Terminal Building, Hangar and Fountain
The Boeing United Airlines Terminal, Hangar and Fountain in Cheyenne, Wyoming were built for Boeing Air Transport between 1929 and 1934. The Louis Sullivan-influenced designs form a consistent theme in a time when Cheyenne Municipal Airport was a major air transport facility. The 1930 hangar was...

, built for what would become United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...

 between 1929 and 1934, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...

.

During World War II, the airport served as a completion and modification center for B-17 aircraft. Captain Ralph S. Johnson
Ralph S. Johnson
Ralph Samuel Johnson was a pioneer of American aviation who served a single term from 1951-1953 as a Republican member of the Wyoming House of Representatives. He represented Cheyenne, the seat of Laramie County, Wyoming, where he resided from 1935-1988...

 was a key test pilot for the then United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...

, forerunner to the Air Force
United States Air Force
The 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...

. The tail turret on the B-17 is also known as the "Cheyenne" turret because it was invented at the Cheyenne airport. And up until 1961, the airport also housed the training center where United Airlines stewardesses came from across the country to train.

The airport was not without its share of celebrated visitors. Among those illustrious aviators to touch down on its runways were Charles Lindbergh, aboard the famous "Spirit of St. Louis," and Amelia Earhart. Many of the airport's rich historic events are chronicled in fascinating display on the walls inside the airport restaurant.

The airport now, because of its high altitude also serves as an airport where major aircraft manufactuers test their planes. The latest test planes were Embraer of Brazil's ERJ-170 and 190 aircraft, Boeing's 737-900, and Boeing's 787 dreamliner.

Facilities and aircraft

Cheyenne Regional/Jerry Olson Field covers an area of 1060 acres (429 ha) which contains two runway
Runway
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: 9/27 with a 9,270 x 150 ft (2,825 x 46 m) concrete
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...

 surface and 13/31 with a 6,690 x 150 ft (2,039 x 46 m) asphalt
Asphalt
Asphalt 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...

 surface.

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 65,163 aircraft operations, an average of 178 per day: 54% 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...

, 36% military, 10% 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 99 aircraft based at this airport: 35% single-engine, 38% multi-engine, 4% jet and 22% military.

Airlines and destinations

Cheyenne Regional Airport is currently served by Great Lakes Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines
Great Lakes Airlines , is an American regional airline operating domestic scheduled and charter services. Corporate headquarters are located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, with hubs at Denver International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, McCarran...

 who flies under its own identity, as well as a codeshare partner for United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...

 and Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines, Inc., is an American airline headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. The carrier, which is a subsidiary and operating brand of Republic Airways Holdings, operates flights to 83 destinations throughout the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica and maintains hubs at...

. Beginning on July 15th, 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...

 started nonstop service to Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to the above listed scheduled service, occasional charter flights (known as "casino or gamblers' flights") to Laughlin
Laughlin, Nevada
Laughlin is a census-designated place in Clark County, Nevada, United States, and a port located on the Colorado River. Laughlin is south of Las Vegas, located in the far southern tip of Nevada. It is best known for its gaming, entertainment, and water recreation. As of the 2010 census, the...

 or Wendover
West Wendover, Nevada
West Wendover is a city in Elko County, Nevada, United States. The population was 4,721 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Elko Micropolitan Statistical Area. West Wendover is located on the eastern border of Nevada and the western edge of the Great Salt Lake Desert, and is contiguous with...

, Nevada are offered. United Airlines heavily uses this airport for diversions of its Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport
Denver International Airport , often referred to as DIA, is an airport in Denver, Colorado. By land size, at , it is the largest international airport in the United States, and the third largest international airport in the world after King Fahd International Airport and Montréal-Mirabel...

 bound flights.

Cheyenne Air National Guard Base

Cheyenne ANGB occupies approximately 77 acres of leased land on the Cheyenne Regional Airport. The host wing is the 153d Airlift Wing
153d Airlift Wing
The 153d Airlift Wing is a Wyoming Air National Guard unit, part of the United States Air Force. It is located at Cheyenne Air National Guard Base at Cheyenne Regional Airport, in Cheyenne, Wyoming.-History:...

 (153 AW) of the Wyoming Air National Guard
Wyoming Air National Guard
The Wyoming Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of Wyoming. It is, along with the Wyoming Army National Guard, an element of the Wyoming National Guard...

, flying the C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...

 theater airlift aircraft. The 153 AW is operationally-gained by the Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command
Air Mobility Command is a Major Command of the U.S. Air Force. AMC is headquartered at Scott AFB, Illinois, east of St. Louis....

 (AMC), and given its proximity to F. E. Warren AFB, was chosen as the first "Active-Associate" unit in the U.S. Air Force and the 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...

. As an Active-Associate unit, the 153 AW incoporates both a traditional Air National Guard C-130 airlift squadron, the 187th Airlift Squadron
187th Airlift Squadron
The 187th Airlift Squadron flies the C-130 Hercules. It is a unit of the Wyoming Air National Guard. Its parent unit is the 153rd Airlift Wing....

 (187 AS), and a full-time active duty Regular Air Force C-130 airlift squadron, the 30th Airlift Squadron
30th Airlift Squadron
The 30th Airlift Squadron is part of the United States Air Force's 19th Airlift Group, and the first active-duty Associate Unit to an Air National Guard unit, working with the 187th Airlift Squadron at Cheyenne Regional Airport, Wyoming...

 (30 AS). Both squadrons share the same C-130H aircraft.

Cheyenne ANGB also hosts an Army Aviation Support Facility (AASF) of the Wyoming Army National Guard
Wyoming Army National Guard
The Wyoming Army National Guard is the Army National Guard of Wyoming. It includes army aviation, construction engineers, field artillery and medical asset units. It was reorganized in 1996, consolidating its two field artillery battalions into a single battalion...

, operating UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters.

Incidents and Accidents

On April 11, 1996, 7 year old Jessica Dubroff
Jessica Dubroff
Jessica Whitney Dubroff was a seven-year-old pilot trainee who died attempting to become the youngest person to fly an airplane across the United States...

, along with her father and flight instructor, died when her general aviation aircraft crashed after takeoff from Cheyenne Regional in a storm. Dubroff was attempting to be the youngest person to fly across the United States.
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