Space Coast Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
Space Coast Regional Airport is located in the city of Titusville, Florida
on Columbia Boulevard (State Road 405
) and Washington Avenue (U.S. 1
) in Brevard County
. Formerly known as Ti-Co (Titusville-Cocoa
) Airport, it is the nearest commercial airport to the Kennedy Space Center
.
. The airport was built by the Civil Aeronautics Administration under the "Development of Landing Areas for National Defense" Program to help relieve other area military bases of training exercises required as a result of World War II
. The government retained control of the airport throughout the duration of the war.
After the war, the U.S. Navy transferred the airport property and associated improvements to the War Assets Administration, which deeded the airport back to the Cities of Titusville and Cocoa by a Surrender of Lease and Quit Claim Deed dated April 18, 1947.
An airport authority was established by the Cities of Titusville and Cocoa to own, operate, improve, and maintain the airport. The property was transferred to the authority by Quit Claim Deeds from the City of Titusville on March 14, 1961 and from the City of Cocoa on April 11, 1961.
Having previously utilized military facilities on nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began development of its own civilian manned launch facilities, in what became the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), on Merritt Island in the early 1960s. The advantageous location of the airport allowed it to play an increasingly important role in the transportation of NASA personnel and equipment.
The "Titusville-Cocoa Airport District Act of 1963" created the Titusville-Cocoa Airport District and the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority ("Authority") to govern the operations of the airport facilities. The Authority was created to service the local, commercial, and corporate aviation needs as well as to stimulate economic growth in the local communities. The Authority replaced the original airport authority established in 1959. This legislation commissioned the Authority to govern the affairs of the Airport District. This currently includes Space Coast Regional Airport, Arthur Dunn Airpark, and Merritt Island Airport.
The 1963 Act established policies for the funding of Authority activities, including an ad valorem tax
not to exceed one mil on all taxable properties within the geographical bounds of the District. Also included was the authorization of the District to issue general obligation bonds and revenue bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, or development of airport property or facilities.
In 2010, the airport made regional news when a pilot, flying at night, hit a deer on takeoff. He landed the plane with a damaged gear, but no major damage. There is a 7 feet (2.1 m) fence surrounding the airport.
s:
. The museum provides an exhibit of air history, offering a static display of vintage Warbird aircraft, including a Douglas C-47A
. Veteran tour guides recount war stories.
' Bristow Academy, a helicopter flying school, employs 160 and training 350 people a year in Schweizer 300CBIs, Robinson R22
s and Bell 206Bs. They have 55 helicopters. It is the world's largest civilian helicopter school.
The Zero Gravity Corporation
offers weightless flights in its modified cargo planes.
Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) event, on December 30, 1956, for the 1957 NASCAR season. Fireball Roberts
won in a Peter DePaolo Ford.
Titusville, Florida
Titusville is a city in Brevard County, Florida in the United States. It is the county seat of Brevard County. Nicknamed Space City, USA, Titusville is on the Indian River, west of Merritt Island and the Kennedy Space Center and south-southwest of the Canaveral National Seashore...
on Columbia Boulevard (State Road 405
State Road 405 (Florida)
State Road 405 is a street making a sweeping arc in Titusville, Florida, and providing a major access route for the Kennedy Space Center on nearby Merritt Island...
) and Washington Avenue (U.S. 1
U.S. Route 1 in Florida
U.S. Route 1 in Florida runs along the state's east coast from Key West to its crossing of the St. Marys River into Georgia north of Boulogne, and south of Folkston. US 1 was designated through Florida when the U.S. Highway System was established in 1926.US 1 runs in the state of Florida, and...
) in Brevard County
Brevard County, Florida
Brevard County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida, along the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. As of 2007 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the population is 536,521, making it the 10th most populous county in the state. Influenced by the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, Brevard...
. Formerly known as Ti-Co (Titusville-Cocoa
Cocoa, Florida
Cocoa is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. The population was 16,412 at the 2000 census. As of 2008, the estimated population according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 16,478. It is part of the Palm Bay–Melbourne–Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:Cocoa was...
) Airport, it is the nearest commercial airport to the Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
.
History
In 1943, the U.S. Government constructed the airport on land jointly owned by both cities. The airfield included two 5000 feet (1,524 m) x 150 feet (45.7 m) runways with an associated taxiway system. The U.S. Government developed the airport and its facilities to serve as an outlying field (OLF) to Naval Air Station Sanford during World War IIWorld 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 built by the Civil Aeronautics Administration under the "Development of Landing Areas for National Defense" Program to help relieve other area military bases of training exercises required as a result of 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 government retained control of the airport throughout the duration of the war.
After the war, the U.S. Navy transferred the airport property and associated improvements to the War Assets Administration, which deeded the airport back to the Cities of Titusville and Cocoa by a Surrender of Lease and Quit Claim Deed dated April 18, 1947.
An airport authority was established by the Cities of Titusville and Cocoa to own, operate, improve, and maintain the airport. The property was transferred to the authority by Quit Claim Deeds from the City of Titusville on March 14, 1961 and from the City of Cocoa on April 11, 1961.
Having previously utilized military facilities on nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began development of its own civilian manned launch facilities, in what became the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), on Merritt Island in the early 1960s. The advantageous location of the airport allowed it to play an increasingly important role in the transportation of NASA personnel and equipment.
The "Titusville-Cocoa Airport District Act of 1963" created the Titusville-Cocoa Airport District and the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority ("Authority") to govern the operations of the airport facilities. The Authority was created to service the local, commercial, and corporate aviation needs as well as to stimulate economic growth in the local communities. The Authority replaced the original airport authority established in 1959. This legislation commissioned the Authority to govern the affairs of the Airport District. This currently includes Space Coast Regional Airport, Arthur Dunn Airpark, and Merritt Island Airport.
The 1963 Act established policies for the funding of Authority activities, including an ad valorem tax
Ad valorem tax
An ad valorem tax is a tax based on the value of real estate or personal property. It is more common than a specific duty, a tax based on the quantity of an item, such as cents per kilogram, regardless of price....
not to exceed one mil on all taxable properties within the geographical bounds of the District. Also included was the authorization of the District to issue general obligation bonds and revenue bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, or development of airport property or facilities.
In 2010, the airport made regional news when a pilot, flying at night, hit a deer on takeoff. He landed the plane with a damaged gear, but no major damage. There is a 7 feet (2.1 m) fence surrounding the airport.
Governing authority
The current Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority consists of seven members. Two members are appointed from Brevard County election Districts I, II, and IV, and one member is appointed at-large by the Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County. The Authority exercises hiring and oversight responsibility for the Authority's Executive Director, a full-time civil servant airport executive who has actual day-to-day responsibility for the operation, maintenance and supervision of Space Coast Regional Airport, Merritt Island Airport, Arthur Dunn Airpark and associated airport staff personnel.Facilities
Space Coast Regional Airport covers 1650 acres (668 ha) and has two 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:
- Runway 18/36: 7,319 x 150 ft. (2,231 x 46 m), Surface: AsphaltAsphaltAsphalt 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...
- Runway 9/27: 5,000 x 100 ft. (1,524 x 30 m), Surface: Asphalt
Warbird Museum
The Valiant Air Command is a frequently flyable collection of planes used in World Wars I & II. It is based here, along with a permanent collection of additional aircraft from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War and the first Gulf War/Operation Desert Storm at the Valiant Air Command Warbird MuseumValiant Air Command Warbird Museum
The Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum is located at the Space Coast Regional Airport, 6600 Tico Road, in Brevard County, just south of Titusville, Florida. The VAC contains vintage aircraft and a hangar with a restoration area. The VAC also has a Memorabilia Hall with flight gear, dress...
. The museum provides an exhibit of air history, offering a static display of vintage Warbird aircraft, including a Douglas C-47A
C-47 Skytrain
The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
. Veteran tour guides recount war stories.
Events
- Tico Air Show (March). This is an annual event since 1977 and features modern military and vintage airplane fly-bys and demonstrations, strafing runs, dog fights, vintage warbird static displays, and military exhibits. In 2008, about 30,000 visitors attended.
Industry
Bristow HelicoptersBristow Helicopters
Bristow Helicopters is a British helicopter airline originally based at Aberdeen Airport, Scotland, part of the Bristow Group based in Houston, Texas, USA....
' Bristow Academy, a helicopter flying school, employs 160 and training 350 people a year in Schweizer 300CBIs, Robinson R22
Robinson R22
The Robinson R22 is a two-bladed, single-engine light utility helicopter manufactured by Robinson Helicopter. The two-seat R22 was designed in 1973 by Frank Robinson and has been in production since 1979.-Development:...
s and Bell 206Bs. They have 55 helicopters. It is the world's largest civilian helicopter school.
The Zero Gravity Corporation
Zero Gravity Corporation
Zero Gravity Corporation is an American company based in Vienna, Virginia, formerly of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, which operates weightless flights from United States airports...
offers weightless flights in its modified cargo planes.
NASCAR
The taxiways and runways of the Titusville-Cocoa Airport hosted a NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Grand National (now Sprint Cup Series) event, on December 30, 1956, for the 1957 NASCAR season. Fireball Roberts
Fireball Roberts
Edward Glenn Roberts, Jr. , nicknamed "Fireball", was one of the pioneering race car drivers of NASCAR.-Background:...
won in a Peter DePaolo Ford.