Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport
Encyclopedia
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport is a public airport
located three miles (5 km) northeast of the central business district
of Statesboro, a city in Bulloch County
, Georgia
, United States
. It is owned by the City of Statesboro and Bulloch County. Currently, there is no commercial service to the airport.
paved runway
s: 14/32 measuring 6,000 x 100 ft (1,829 x 30 m) and 5/23 measuring 4,383 x 100 ft (1,336 x 30 m).
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport is home to the Southeast Georgia Eagle Composite Squadron (GA451) of the Civil Air Patrol.
For the 12-month period ending June 27, 2007, the airport had 18,500 aircraft operations, an average of 51 per day: 54% local general aviation
, 43% transient general aviation and 3% military. There are 48 aircraft based at this airport: 94% single-engine and 6% multi-engine.
The owner of the aircraft formed the Statesboro Aircraft Corporation on December 12, and shortly thereafter began offering flight instruction. The big news for the new airport and the community was the arrival of a Ford Trimotor
on December 11. Under the sponsorship of the Pure Oil Company
and the local Pure distributor, the Tri-Motor spent four days at Statesboro giving promotional site-seeing rides to the public.
On July 17, 1941, Statesboro received news that the Civil Aeronautics Administration had chosen its airport for improvement as a defense landing field. The government allocated $350,000 to construct two 150 x 4,000-ft. hard-surfaced runways, taxiways, a fence, and airfield lighting on the condition that the City and County procured a total of 604 acres. After the local government purchased the required land, the project opened for bids on November 15. On January 23, 1942, E. Jack Smith of Atlanta won the bid at $219,350; $13,000 under the government's estimate. The contractor began preliminary work at the site on January 26.
Soon after construction began, the United States Army Air Forces
(AAF) became involved and enlarged the project. This required the local governments to acquire an additional 285 acres for longer runways, a third runway, and a 350 x 800- ft. ramp. The AAF purchased 50 acres on the west side of Highway 301 and built a cantonment area for 180 officers and 400 men. Total cost of the base exceeded $900,000.
making it a subbase of Morris Army Airfield at Charlotte
, North Carolina.
From March to June 1943, the airfield became a sub-base of William Northern Army Airfield at Tullahoma, Tennessee. In June, Statesboro returned to the jurisdiction of Morris, The 118th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) arrived on June 23, 1943 from Morris. Four days later, the 23rd Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) also followed from Morris. The 23rd and the 118th operated observation and lighter aircraft that included the P-39 Aircobra and P-40 Warhawk. Both squadrons were attached to the 66th Reconnaissance Group. After two months of training, the 23rd moved back to Morris and the 118th to Aiken Army Airfield, South Carolina.
When the reconnaissance units left, liaison units that primarily flew Stinson L-5 Sentinels were stationed at Statesboro for the remainder of the war. After a month and a half with no squadrons present, the 127th Liaison moved aboard from Morris AAF on October 13, 1943. Until December 1943, the 127th performed the training of replacement pilots. Several thousand people attended an air show, held on Sunday, December 5, for the purpose of Women's Army Corps
recruiting. On February 2, the Army activated the 156th Liaison. The same month, the 14th Liaison arrived from Lebanon, Tennessee. One month later it shipped out for Europe.
May 1944 was a very busy month at Statesboro. First, the 161st Liaison activated on May 11. One week later, the 127th and the 156th Liaison transferred to Aiken AAF, South Carolina. Between May 31 and June 1, the squadrons of the 3d Air Commando Group - the 157th Liaison from Cox Army Airfield, Texas, the 159th Liaison from Pounds Army Airfield, Texas, and the 160th Liaison from Brownwood Army Airfield, Texas. Between August, 18 and 19, the 3rd Air Commando Group and its three squadrons moved to Cross City Army Airfield, Florida. Eventually, the 3rd Air Commando Group served in the South Pacific.
After October 1944, Statesboro did not host any other flying squadrons. The base became a POW camp and a sub-base of Raleigh-Durham Army Airfield, North Carolina. On December 31, 1944, Warner Robins Air Technical Service took command of Statesboro placing it on temporary inactive status. A staff of two officers and 25 civilians maintained the field.
In October 1946, Statesboro hoped to be part of a DC-3 route between Atlanta and Savannah
applied for by the new Southern Airways
; however, with a population under 10,000 and located less than 50 miles from Savannah, airline service never came to pass.
The War Asset Administration eventually deeded the airfield to the City and County; however, this deed did not include the cantonment area west of Highway 301. A provision of the deed also allowed the Federal government to use the field, if needed, without charge. In January 1947, the City and the County purchased the buildings of the cantonment area for the token fee of $6,400. The next month, Boshears Flying Service leased the airport to provide a fixed-base operation.
The Air Force returned to Statesboro in 1961 when a Strategic Air Command
radar detachment operated at the airport. A few military built structures have survived.
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) northeast 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 Statesboro, a city in Bulloch County
Bulloch County, Georgia
Bulloch County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on February 8, 1796. Bulloch County has undergone rapid growth in recent years. As of 2000, the population was 55,983. The 2009 Census Estimate showed a population of 69,213. The county seat is Statesboro.In...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 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 City of Statesboro and Bulloch County. Currently, there is no commercial service to the airport.
Facilities and Aircraft
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport covers an area of 834 acres (337.5 ha) which contains two 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...
s: 14/32 measuring 6,000 x 100 ft (1,829 x 30 m) and 5/23 measuring 4,383 x 100 ft (1,336 x 30 m).
Statesboro-Bulloch County Airport is home to the Southeast Georgia Eagle Composite Squadron (GA451) of the Civil Air Patrol.
For the 12-month period ending June 27, 2007, the airport had 18,500 aircraft operations, an average of 51 per day: 54% local 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...
, 43% transient general aviation and 3% military. There are 48 aircraft based at this airport: 94% single-engine and 6% multi-engine.
Origns
City and County leaders first considered establishing a municipal airport in 1934. The Department of Commerce approved two prospective sites the next year. During the first of 1936, government leaders leased a 93-acre tract three miles north of town, adjacent to and east of Highway 301. During the year, a 4,000-ft. grass landing strip was cleared and a hangar built. Initially known as the Bulloch County Airport, the facility celebrated the first landing of a locally owned aircraft on November 21, 1936.The owner of the aircraft formed the Statesboro Aircraft Corporation on December 12, and shortly thereafter began offering flight instruction. The big news for the new airport and the community was the arrival of a Ford Trimotor
Ford Trimotor
The Ford Trimotor was an American three-engined transport plane that was first produced in 1925 by the companies of Henry Ford and that continued to be produced until June 7, 1933. Throughout its time in production, a total of 199 Ford Trimotors were produced...
on December 11. Under the sponsorship of the Pure Oil Company
Pure Oil
Pure Oil Company was an American petroleum company founded in 1914 and sold to what is now Union Oil Company of California in 1965. The Pure Oil name returned in 1993 as a cooperative which has grown to supply 350 members in 10 Southern states.-History:Three companies operating in the United...
and the local Pure distributor, the Tri-Motor spent four days at Statesboro giving promotional site-seeing rides to the public.
On July 17, 1941, Statesboro received news that the Civil Aeronautics Administration had chosen its airport for improvement as a defense landing field. The government allocated $350,000 to construct two 150 x 4,000-ft. hard-surfaced runways, taxiways, a fence, and airfield lighting on the condition that the City and County procured a total of 604 acres. After the local government purchased the required land, the project opened for bids on November 15. On January 23, 1942, E. Jack Smith of Atlanta won the bid at $219,350; $13,000 under the government's estimate. The contractor began preliminary work at the site on January 26.
Soon after construction began, the United States Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
(AAF) became involved and enlarged the project. This required the local governments to acquire an additional 285 acres for longer runways, a third runway, and a 350 x 800- ft. ramp. The AAF purchased 50 acres on the west side of Highway 301 and built a cantonment area for 180 officers and 400 men. Total cost of the base exceeded $900,000.
World War II
The AAF placed Statesboro Army Airfield under the command of Third Air ForceThird Air Force
The Third Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Forces in Europe . It is headquartered at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
making it a subbase of Morris Army Airfield at Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
, North Carolina.
From March to June 1943, the airfield became a sub-base of William Northern Army Airfield at Tullahoma, Tennessee. In June, Statesboro returned to the jurisdiction of Morris, The 118th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) arrived on June 23, 1943 from Morris. Four days later, the 23rd Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) also followed from Morris. The 23rd and the 118th operated observation and lighter aircraft that included the P-39 Aircobra and P-40 Warhawk. Both squadrons were attached to the 66th Reconnaissance Group. After two months of training, the 23rd moved back to Morris and the 118th to Aiken Army Airfield, South Carolina.
When the reconnaissance units left, liaison units that primarily flew Stinson L-5 Sentinels were stationed at Statesboro for the remainder of the war. After a month and a half with no squadrons present, the 127th Liaison moved aboard from Morris AAF on October 13, 1943. Until December 1943, the 127th performed the training of replacement pilots. Several thousand people attended an air show, held on Sunday, December 5, for the purpose of Women's Army Corps
Women's Army Corps
The Women's Army Corps was the women's branch of the US Army. It was created as an auxiliary unit, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps on 15 May 1942 by Public Law 554, and converted to full status as the WAC in 1943...
recruiting. On February 2, the Army activated the 156th Liaison. The same month, the 14th Liaison arrived from Lebanon, Tennessee. One month later it shipped out for Europe.
May 1944 was a very busy month at Statesboro. First, the 161st Liaison activated on May 11. One week later, the 127th and the 156th Liaison transferred to Aiken AAF, South Carolina. Between May 31 and June 1, the squadrons of the 3d Air Commando Group - the 157th Liaison from Cox Army Airfield, Texas, the 159th Liaison from Pounds Army Airfield, Texas, and the 160th Liaison from Brownwood Army Airfield, Texas. Between August, 18 and 19, the 3rd Air Commando Group and its three squadrons moved to Cross City Army Airfield, Florida. Eventually, the 3rd Air Commando Group served in the South Pacific.
After October 1944, Statesboro did not host any other flying squadrons. The base became a POW camp and a sub-base of Raleigh-Durham Army Airfield, North Carolina. On December 31, 1944, Warner Robins Air Technical Service took command of Statesboro placing it on temporary inactive status. A staff of two officers and 25 civilians maintained the field.
Postwar civil use
In April 1946, after an inspection by the CAA, the Federal Government gave the City and the County permission to operate the airfield as a municipal airport. The arrangement included a fire truck, grass mowing tractors and other equipment.In October 1946, Statesboro hoped to be part of a DC-3 route between Atlanta and Savannah
Savannah
Savannah or savanna is a type of grassland.It can also mean:-People:* Savannah King, a Canadian freestyle swimmer* Savannah Outen, a singer who gained popularity on You Tube...
applied for by the new Southern Airways
Southern Airways
Southern Airways was a regional airline operating in the United States from its founding by Frank Hulse in 1949 until 1979 when it merged with North Central Airlines to become Republic Airlines, which on October 1, 1986, became part of Northwest Airlines, which in 2008 became a part of Delta Air...
; however, with a population under 10,000 and located less than 50 miles from Savannah, airline service never came to pass.
The War Asset Administration eventually deeded the airfield to the City and County; however, this deed did not include the cantonment area west of Highway 301. A provision of the deed also allowed the Federal government to use the field, if needed, without charge. In January 1947, the City and the County purchased the buildings of the cantonment area for the token fee of $6,400. The next month, Boshears Flying Service leased the airport to provide a fixed-base operation.
The Air Force returned to Statesboro in 1961 when a Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
radar detachment operated at the airport. A few military built structures have survived.
See also
- Georgia World War II Army AirfieldsGeorgia World War II Army AirfieldsDuring World War II, the United States Army Air Force established numerous airfields in Georgia for antisubmarine defense in the Gulf of Mexico and for training pilots and aircrews of USAAF fighters and bombers....
- STATESBORO AVIATION