Northampton Airport
Encyclopedia
Northampton Airport is a public airport
located one mile (1.6 km) northeast of central business district
(CBD) of Northampton
, a city in Hampshire County
, Massachusetts
, USA
.
The airport covers 55 acres (222,577.3 m²) and has one runway
that is 3365 feet (1,025.7 m) in length and 50 feet (15.2 m) in width. Avgas
fuel is self service and is available 24 hours a day. Northampton Airport has an estimated 73 flights per day and estimated 60 based aircraft.
, flew here. Lindbergh would come to visit his then girlfriend, Anne Morrow
, at Smith College
. Amelia Earhart
studied airframe maintenance in downtown Northampton, and although not officially documented, probably did some flight training at the Northampton Airport. In addition, the airport was also visited by Ruth Nickols and the Granville brothers
(who were responsible for building the Gee Bee
airplane).
During World War II
, the airport was used as a naval training facility and trained many pilots for the war effort. One of the instructors during this period was Roger Atwood. He died on June 24, 2010 at the age of 88.
Located on the Connecticut River
, it is within walking distance of downtown Northampton.
The airport has been in continuous operation since its inception in 1929. For several years prior to that, it had been used for barnstorming. Recently, the old runway received a facelift, including: a new runway, taxiways, lights, and a rotating beacon. The Holyoke Range
is to the south, Mount Tom
is to the southwest, the Berkshires
are to the west, and the Connecticut River flows parallel to the runway, making it an easy landmark for finding the airport.
(N94513), one Flight Design CT
(N357JD), Three Piper Warrior II
's (N8090H/N4302V/N128PC), and one Piper Arrow (N3783M).
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) northeast of 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"...
(CBD) of Northampton
Northampton, Massachusetts
The city of Northampton is the county seat of Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population of Northampton's central neighborhoods, was 28,549...
, a city in Hampshire County
Hampshire County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 152,251 people, 55,991 households, and 33,818 families residing in the county. The population density was 288 people per square mile . There were 58,644 housing units at an average density of 111 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...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The airport covers 55 acres (222,577.3 m²) and has one 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...
that is 3365 feet (1,025.7 m) in length and 50 feet (15.2 m) in width. Avgas
Avgas
Avgas is an aviation fuel used to power piston-engine aircraft. Avgas is distinguished from mogas , which is the everyday gasoline used in cars and some non-commercial light aircraft...
fuel is self service and is available 24 hours a day. Northampton Airport has an estimated 73 flights per day and estimated 60 based aircraft.
History
The Northampton Airport was opened as a commercial airport on April 1, 1929. Many historic aviators, including Charles LindberghCharles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
, flew here. Lindbergh would come to visit his then girlfriend, Anne Morrow
Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Anne Morrow Lindbergh was an American author, aviator, and the spouse of fellow aviator Charles Lindbergh.She was an acclaimed author whose books and articles spanned the genres of poetry to non-fiction, touching upon topics as diverse as youth and age; love and marriage; peace, solitude and...
, at Smith College
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
. Amelia Earhart
Amelia Earhart
Amelia Mary Earhart was a noted American aviation pioneer and author. Earhart was the first woman to receive the U.S. Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded for becoming the first aviatrix to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean...
studied airframe maintenance in downtown Northampton, and although not officially documented, probably did some flight training at the Northampton Airport. In addition, the airport was also visited by Ruth Nickols and the Granville brothers
Granville Brothers Aircraft
Granville Brothers Aircraft was an aircraft manufacturer in operation from 1929 until its bankruptcy in 1934. The firm was located at the Springfield Airport in Springfield, Massachusetts...
(who were responsible for building the Gee Bee
Gee Bee Sportster
-References:* * * *...
airplane).
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...
, the airport was used as a naval training facility and trained many pilots for the war effort. One of the instructors during this period was Roger Atwood. He died on June 24, 2010 at the age of 88.
Located on the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, it is within walking distance of downtown Northampton.
The airport has been in continuous operation since its inception in 1929. For several years prior to that, it had been used for barnstorming. Recently, the old runway received a facelift, including: a new runway, taxiways, lights, and a rotating beacon. The Holyoke Range
Holyoke Range
The Holyoke Range or Mount Holyoke Range is a traprock mountain range located in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. It is a sub-range of the narrow, linear Metacomet Ridge that extends from Long Island Sound near New Haven, Connecticut north through the Connecticut River Valley of...
is to the south, Mount Tom
Mount Tom (Massachusetts)
Mount Tom, , is a steep, rugged traprock mountain peak on the west bank of the Connecticut River 4.5 miles northwest of downtown Holyoke, Massachusetts. The mountain is the southernmost and highest peak of the Mount Tom Range and the highest traprock peak of the long Metacomet Ridge...
is to the southwest, the Berkshires
The Berkshires
The Berkshires , is a highland geologic region located in the western parts of Massachusetts and Connecticut.Also referred to as the Berkshire Hills, Berkshire Mountains, and Berkshire Plateau, the region enjoys a vibrant tourism industry based on music, arts, and recreation.-Definition:The term...
are to the west, and the Connecticut River flows parallel to the runway, making it an easy landmark for finding the airport.
Flight school
Northampton Airport contains a flight school. The flight school consists of six flight instructors and six aircraft. The aircraft include one Cessna 152Cessna 152
The Cessna 152 is an American two-seat, fixed tricycle gear, general aviation airplane, used primarily for flight training and personal use.-Development:...
(N94513), one Flight Design CT
Flight Design CTSW
The Flight Design CT series is a family of high-wing, tricycle undercarriage, two seat ultralight and light-sport aircraft produced by Flight Design of Germany...
(N357JD), Three Piper Warrior II
Piper Cherokee
The Piper PA-28 Cherokee is a family of light aircraft designed for flight training, air taxi, and personal use. It is built by Piper Aircraft....
's (N8090H/N4302V/N128PC), and one Piper Arrow (N3783M).