Merced Municipal Airport
Encyclopedia
Merced Regional Airport , also known as MacReady Field, is a public airport
located two miles (3 km) southwest of the central business district
of Merced
, a city in Merced County
, California
, United States
. The airport is owned by the City of Merced. It is mostly used for general aviation
, but is also used by one commercial airline. Service is subsidized by the Essential Air Service
program.
On May 15, 2011, Great Lakes Airlines
commenced service to Los Angeles International Airport
in Los Angeles, California
, with a stop over in Visalia, California
. In addition to the Los Angeles service, the airline also offers two daily non-stop, round trip flights between Merced and Las Vegas.
Previously, Great Lakes Airlines provided service to LA/Ontario International Airport in Ontario, California
. Due to the success of flights to Las Vegas offered under prior carriers, service between Merced and Ontario was discontinued in favor of the more popular Las Vegas route.
Bus connections to Yosemite National Park
are available through the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System
(YARTS).
in nearby Atwater, CA. The airstrip along with sixty-six acres of land was obtained in 1932 as a gift from the Twenty-Thirty Club and the Crocker-Huffman Company, and in 1936 the City of Merced assumed responsibility of the airport. During the next 5 years several buildings were constructed and the airport site was expanded to 123 acre (0.49776378 km²).
After the United States entered World War II
, Merced Municipal Airport was leased to the U.S. Army Air Force, eventually becoming Merced Army Airfield (1943–1946), and later Castle Air Force Base
(1947–1995).
Construction of a new airport at the present site about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Merced near Childs Avenue began in 1940. When the United States entered World War II the remaining work was completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
working under the Civil Aeronautics Authority. This new airport was known as "New Merced Municipal Airport".
In 1943 the new airport was leased to the U.S. Army Air Force and used as an axillary field for Merced Army Airfield (present day Castle Airport
). Under the lease, the airport's name was changed to "New Merced Municipal Airport Auxiliary Field". The lease was terminated immediately after the war, and the airport was returned to civil control.
In 1946 United Airlines
built offices and a terminal building and began one DC-3 flight each way a day. That same year, damage incurred during the Army Air Force's use of the site was repaired, and additional improvements were completed using government funds. Two years later in 1948, Merced Municipal Airport was annexed to the City of Merced.
During the 1950s the airport was used to service military aircraft from the United States Armed Forces
, and in 1975 a control tower
was constructed to handle additional air traffic.
United's DC-3s were replaced by Convairs in 1955-56, then by DC-6s in 1968 and 737s in 1968-69; United left Merced for good in 1979.
On March 6, 2009 the city council voted to change the name of the airport from Merced Municipal Airport to Merced Regional Airport.
The Airport has formerly been served by Air Pacific
, American Eagle
, Golden Gate Airlines
, United Airlines
, United Express
and US Airways Express
paved runway
(12/30) measuring 5,914 x 150 ft (1,803 x 46 m).
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2010, the airport had 53,250 aircraft operations, an average of 146 per day: 94% general aviation
, 5% scheduled commercial
, and 1% military
and air taxi
. There are 66 aircraft based at this airport: 94% single engine, 6% multi-engine, and no jet aircraft.
Merced Regional Airport also serves as a base for Medi-Flight Northern California, an air ambulance
service provided by Mercy Air, a subsidiary of Air Methods
. Medi-Flight shuttles critical patients from Mercy Medical Center Merced to hospitals in the Modesto
and Fresno
areas, as well as responding directly to accident scenes.
to Merced to display their rare and antique aircraft. The fly-in also features an air show
and an antique car show. In 2007, the 50th annual fly-in drew nearly 400 planes as well as several stunt pilots
.
Since 2008, the Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In has been canceled due to lack of sponsors and volunteers. Pilots wanting to participate in the fly-in are still welcomed to congregate at the airport. However, this gathering is unofficial and given limited publicity.
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 two miles (3 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 Merced
Merced, California
Merced is a city in, and the county seat of, Merced County, California in the San Joaquin Valley of Northern California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 78,958. Incorporated in 1889, Merced is a charter city that operates under a council-manager government...
, a city in Merced County
Merced County, California
Merced County , is a county located in the Central Valley of the U.S. state of California, north of Fresno and southeast of San Jose. As of the 2010 census, the population was 255,793, up from 210,554 at the 2000 census. The county seat is Merced...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The airport is owned by the City of Merced. It is mostly used for 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 used by one commercial airline. Service is subsidized by the Essential Air Service
Essential Air Service
Essential Air Service is a U.S. government program enacted to guarantee that small communities in the United States, which, prior to deregulation, were served by certificated airlines, maintained commercial service. Its aim is to maintain a minimal level of scheduled air service to these...
program.
On May 15, 2011, 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...
commenced service to Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, with a stop over in Visalia, California
Visalia, California
Visalia is a Central California city situated in the heart of California’s agricultural San Joaquin Valley, approximately southeast of San Francisco and north of Los Angeles...
. In addition to the Los Angeles service, the airline also offers two daily non-stop, round trip flights between Merced and Las Vegas.
Previously, Great Lakes Airlines provided service to LA/Ontario International Airport in Ontario, California
Ontario, California
Ontario is a city located in San Bernardino County, California, United States, 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. Located in the western part of the Inland Empire region, it lies just east of the Los Angeles county line and is part of the Greater Los Angeles Area...
. Due to the success of flights to Las Vegas offered under prior carriers, service between Merced and Ontario was discontinued in favor of the more popular Las Vegas route.
Bus connections to Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a United States National Park spanning eastern portions of Tuolumne, Mariposa and Madera counties in east central California, United States. The park covers an area of and reaches across the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain chain...
are available through the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System
Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System
The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, also known as YARTS, is a public transit bus line based in Merced, California. YARTS provides scheduled service into popular locations within Merced, Mariposa, and Mono counties, including Yosemite National Park.-History:First proposed in 1992,...
(YARTS).
History
Merced's first airport was at what is now Castle AirportCastle Airport
Castle Airport is a public use airport located seven nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Merced, a city in Merced County, California, United States. It is operated by the Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development.The airport is located at...
in nearby Atwater, CA. The airstrip along with sixty-six acres of land was obtained in 1932 as a gift from the Twenty-Thirty Club and the Crocker-Huffman Company, and in 1936 the City of Merced assumed responsibility of the airport. During the next 5 years several buildings were constructed and the airport site was expanded to 123 acre (0.49776378 km²).
After the United States entered 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...
, Merced Municipal Airport was leased to the U.S. Army Air Force, eventually becoming Merced Army Airfield (1943–1946), and later Castle Air Force Base
Castle Air Force Base
Castle Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force Strategic Air Command base located northeast of Atwater, northwest of Merced and about east southeast of San Francisco, California....
(1947–1995).
Construction of a new airport at the present site about 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of Merced near Childs Avenue began in 1940. When the United States entered World War II the remaining work was completed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers
United States Army Corps of Engineers
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is a federal agency and a major Army command made up of some 38,000 civilian and military personnel, making it the world's largest public engineering, design and construction management agency...
working under the Civil Aeronautics Authority. This new airport was known as "New Merced Municipal Airport".
In 1943 the new airport was leased to the U.S. Army Air Force and used as an axillary field for Merced Army Airfield (present day Castle Airport
Castle Airport
Castle Airport is a public use airport located seven nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Merced, a city in Merced County, California, United States. It is operated by the Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development.The airport is located at...
). Under the lease, the airport's name was changed to "New Merced Municipal Airport Auxiliary Field". The lease was terminated immediately after the war, and the airport was returned to civil control.
In 1946 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...
built offices and a terminal building and began one DC-3 flight each way a day. That same year, damage incurred during the Army Air Force's use of the site was repaired, and additional improvements were completed using government funds. Two years later in 1948, Merced Municipal Airport was annexed to the City of Merced.
During the 1950s the airport was used to service military aircraft from the United States Armed Forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
, and in 1975 a control tower
Control tower
A control tower, or more specifically an Air Traffic Control Tower , is the name of the airport building from which the air traffic control unit controls the movement of aircraft on and around the airport. Control towers are also used to control the traffic for other forms of transportation such...
was constructed to handle additional air traffic.
United's DC-3s were replaced by Convairs in 1955-56, then by DC-6s in 1968 and 737s in 1968-69; United left Merced for good in 1979.
On March 6, 2009 the city council voted to change the name of the airport from Merced Municipal Airport to Merced Regional Airport.
The Airport has formerly been served by Air Pacific
Air Pacific (USA)
Air Pacific, was renamed from Eureka Aero in 1979 serving California. In 1981, Air Pacific merged with Gem State Airlines to form Golden Gate Airlines.-Cities Served:*Bakersfield, California*Chico, California*Los Angeles, California*Merced, California...
, 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...
, Golden Gate Airlines
Golden Gate Airlines
Golden Gate Airlines was founded in 1980 in Monterey, California after the merger of Gem State Airlines and Air Pacific in 1979. It merged again in 1981, this time with Swift Aire Lines, but discontinued service shortly thereafter.-Cities served:...
, 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...
, United Express
United Express
United Express is a brand name under which eight regional airlines operate feeder flights for United Airlines. They primarily connect smaller cities with United's domestic hub airports and “focus cities,” although they offer some point-to-point service such as Sacramento to Eureka.As of Sept...
and US Airways Express
US Airways Express
US Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
Facilities and aircraft
Merced Regional Airport covers an area of 766 acres (310 ha) which contains one asphaltAsphalt
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...
paved 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...
(12/30) measuring 5,914 x 150 ft (1,803 x 46 m).
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2010, the airport had 53,250 aircraft operations, an average of 146 per day: 94% 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...
, 5% scheduled commercial
Airline
An airline provides air transport services for traveling passengers and freight. Airlines lease or own their aircraft with which to supply these services and may form partnerships or alliances with other airlines for mutual benefit...
, and 1% military
Military aviation
Military aviation is the use of aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare, including national airlift capacity to provide logistical supply to forces stationed in a theater or along a front. Air power includes the national means of conducting such...
and 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...
. There are 66 aircraft based at this airport: 94% single engine, 6% multi-engine, and no jet aircraft.
Merced Regional Airport also serves as a base for Medi-Flight Northern California, an air ambulance
Air ambulance
An air ambulance is an aircraft used for emergency medical assistance in situations where either a traditional ambulance cannot reach the scene easily or quickly enough, or the patient needs to be transported over a distance or terrain that makes air transportation the most practical transport....
service provided by Mercy Air, a subsidiary of Air Methods
Air Methods
Air Methods, Corp. is the largest publicly owned emergency medical services helicopter operator in the United States, with a fleet of over 300 medical transport helicopters that average 85,000 transports and 100,000 flight hours per year as of December 2006....
. Medi-Flight shuttles critical patients from Mercy Medical Center Merced to hospitals in the Modesto
Modesto, California
Modesto is a city in, and is the county seat of, Stanislaus County, California. With a population of approximately 201,165 at the 2010 census, Modesto ranks as the 18th largest city in the state of California....
and Fresno
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
areas, as well as responding directly to accident scenes.
Airline and destinations
Passenger statistics
| Passengers | Change from previous year | |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5,157 | |
| 2001 | 3,456 | 32.9% |
| 2002 | 7,626 | 129.3% |
| 2003 | 7,522 | 1.36% |
| 2004 | 8,004 | 6.41% |
| 2005 | 8,616 | 7.65% |
| 2006 | 7,885 | 8.48% |
| 2007 | 6,126 | 21.4% |
| 2008 | 2,173 | 64.9% |
| 2009 | 1,052 | 51.6% |
| 2010 | 2,051 | 94.7% |
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration | ||
Fly-In
Since June 1957, Merced Regional Airport has hosted the annual Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In. Each year, the fly-in draws hundreds of pilots from across the Western United StatesWestern United States
.The Western United States, commonly referred to as the American West or simply "the West," traditionally refers to the region comprising the westernmost states of the United States. Because the U.S. expanded westward after its founding, the meaning of the West has evolved over time...
to Merced to display their rare and antique aircraft. The fly-in also features an air show
Air show
An air show is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their aircraft to spectators in aerobatics. Air shows without aerobatic displays, having only aircraft displayed parked on the ground, are called "static air shows"....
and an antique car show. In 2007, the 50th annual fly-in drew nearly 400 planes as well as several stunt pilots
Aerobatics
Aerobatics is the practice of flying maneuvers involving aircraft attitudes that are not used in normal flight. Aerobatics are performed in airplanes and gliders for training, recreation, entertainment and sport...
.
Since 2008, the Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In has been canceled due to lack of sponsors and volunteers. Pilots wanting to participate in the fly-in are still welcomed to congregate at the airport. However, this gathering is unofficial and given limited publicity.
See also
- Castle AirportCastle AirportCastle Airport is a public use airport located seven nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Merced, a city in Merced County, California, United States. It is operated by the Merced County Department of Commerce, Aviation, and Economic Development.The airport is located at...
- Gustine AirportGustine AirportGustine Airport is a public airport located two miles east of Gustine, serving Merced County, California, USA. The airport is mostly used for general aviation.- Facilities and aircraft :...
- Los Banos Municipal AirportLos Banos Municipal AirportLos Banos Municipal Airport is a city-owned public-use airport located one mile west of the central business district of Los Banos, a city in Merced County, California, United States.- Facilities and aircraft :...
External links
- Merced Regional Airport at City of Merced web site
- Great Lakes Aviation
- History of Merced Municipal Airport
- Merced West Coast Antique Fly-In Home