STOLport

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A STOLport or STOLPORT was an airport designed with STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) operations in mind, usually for an aircraft class of a certain weight and size. The term "STOLport" did not appear to be in common usage as of 2008, although was commonly used by pilots flying into Biggin Hill during 1986/87 when the London City Airport was opened restricting approaches and ceilings to the north of Biggin. A STOLport usually has a short single runway, generally shorter than 1,500 m (5,000 ft). [1] STOLports are only practicable by certain types of aircraft, especially smaller propeller aircraft, with performances that are compatible with the shorter runway length, steeper approach/departure paths, etc. at individual STOLports. In the United States, short runway facilities are simply known as airports, and the term "STOLport" has not been commonly used since the early 1970s.

Contents

Definition

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines STOLports as "unique airports designed to serve airplanes that have exceptional short-field performance capabilities." [2] ICAO Document 9150: Stolport Manual states that "for the purposes of this manual, the stolport design aeroplane is assumed to be an aeroplane that has a reference field length of 800 m or less". [1]

North America

In the United States, a STOLport is one of several types of facilities. STOLports are identified with an S at the end of the site ID. [3] For example, Calvert Peak STOLport is listed as Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) site number 19448.1*S. [4] As of January 2009, around 80 facilities were coded as STOLports by the FAA in the United States. [5] According to the FAA in 1968, twenty-five potential STOLport sites were identified in the Northeast megalopolis. In the early 1970s, a study was conducted to help the FAA determine if it was necessary to create an elevated STOLport test facility. [6] At one point in 1968, a 730 m (2,400 ft) STOLport was under consideration for a rooftop in Manhattan. [7] Toronto City Airport, with the longest runway of 1,216 m (3,988 ft), went into a period of decline in the 1980s and 1990s, but has since been revitalized as a city centre airport by Porter Airlines, flying the 400 series De Havilland Canada Dash 8. However, it is not officially designated as a STOLport.

Scotland

In the islands of Scotland there are some airports with very short runways, but still having scheduled flights. Examples include Colonsay Airport (501 m [1,644 ft]), Foula Airfield (382 m [1,252 ft]) and Westray Airport (527 m [1,729 ft]). They are usually serviced by Britten-Norman Islander aircraft.

Norway and Greenland

Between 1965 and 1987, approximately 30 STOLports were built in Norway, typically equipped with a 2,600 ft (800 m) runway. They were intended to improve transportation systems and shorten travel times to areas that were considered difficult to reach by other means. [8] In Norwegian, they are called "kortbaneflyplass" (literally "short runway airport"). As they were built in areas with relatively low population density and terrain that often wouldn't permit a standard length runway, it became essential to build shorter runways and use smaller airplanes. Today, the airports are frequented by airliners that have been awarded subsidies from the Norwegian government. They typically fly feeder routes to larger hub airports that have direct routes to Oslo and other major cities in Norway. Though most of the routes are flown by Widerøe, other airliners occasionally win bids on some of the routes.

950 m (3,120 ft) runway at Nuuk, Greenland Nuuk-airport-runway.jpg
950 m (3,120 ft) runway at Nuuk, Greenland

Based on the Norwegian example, several short runway airports (800–900 m [2,600–3,000 ft]) were built in Greenland, replacing heliports. The country at that time only had a few airports, built by United States forces in hidden locations far from Greenlandic settlements. Still the short runway airports (including at the capital Nuuk) can't accept flights from distant places like Denmark or the United Kingdom. Some of the airports of Iceland are STOLports, although most are longer. The availability of STOL aircraft has enabled Icelandair to extend its network to Greenland.

Avinor, the Norwegian airport authority, worries about the future availability of aircraft for 800 m (2,600 ft) runways in future when older aircraft currently used retire. Currently, Dash 8-100 aircraft, manufactured in the early 1990s, are used. Avinor has found that after 2010, no new aircraft can be bought which have more than 20 seats and are able to use such short runways. For this reason there are plans to extend runways to 1,200 m (3,900 ft) or in some cases to build new airports, and to close some combined with road improvements. [9] The least used will not be extended, but will have to be flown with very small aircraft. Also in Greenland this is discussed for the same reason. Greenland has decided to extend Nuuk and Ilulissat airports to jet aircraft size, 2,200 m (7,200 ft). Rising fuel prices makes low drag a desirable feature, so STOL aircraft might be less desirable or numerous in future. Also aircraft might be able to use short runways only with limited payload, making tickets expensive.

Historical STOLports

Several attempts were undertaken at the late 1960s and early 1970s to create STOLports in the United States for the New York City and Los Angeles, California areas; however, most are not operational or no longer in existence at the present time. There was also Victoria STOLport in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

The first United States STOLport for commercial operation was commissioned August 5, 1968, at La Guardia Airport and was available for visual flight rules (VFR) use only. [10] This 334 m (1,095 ft) STOL runway was dubbed the LaGuardia STOLPORT. [11]

The first officially designated STOLport in the United States opened on October 17, 1971, at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Shawnee Airlines operated scheduled passenger service between the Walt Disney World Airport (also known as the Lake Buena Vista STOLport) and Orlando McCoy Jetport (now the Orlando International Airport) as well as the Tampa International Airport with de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter STOL turboprop aircraft. [12] Information concerning the Shawnee Airlines STOL service appeared in the Eastern Air Lines system timetable dated September 6, 1972 with regard to connecting service between the two airlines at either Orlando or Tampa. [13] The 610 m (2,000 ft) STOL runway at this former airport is no longer in use. Prior to that date, only portions of facilities were designated STOLports. Plans at the time called for an interstate STOL transportation system. On July 26, 1972; the FAA V/STOL office was renamed to the Quiet Short-Haul Air Transportation System Office refocusing it and reflecting public concerns about noise created by smaller more numerous STOLports as opposed to larger airports. The Quiet Short-Haul Air Transportation System Office was eliminated June 11, 1974. [10] Logan International Airport opened an 550 m (1,800 ft) STOL runway September 20, 1968 for testing Eastern Air Lines STOL capable Bréguet 941 turboprop shuttle on east coast routes. [14]

Some STOLports were never open to public aviation and were privately owned, such as the Avon STOLPort, [15] a 1,200 m (4,000 ft) runway located adjacent to the town of Avon, Colorado that was constructed specifically to handle tourist flights for nearby ski resorts in the Vail area. The Avon STOLPort was owned and operated by Rocky Mountain Airways which operated de Havilland Canada Dash 7 STOL turboprops from this mountain airfield from 1978 through 1989. The Avon STOLport is no longer in existence.

Another privately owned STOL airfield was the Clear Lake City STOLport located in the Houston, Texas area, near the Johnson Space Center. This small airport which included a 760 m (2,500 ft) runway, an aircraft hangar, and a passenger terminal was constructed in 1969 and owned by Houston Metro Airlines which later changed its name to Metro Airlines. The airline operated Twin Otters from this suburban airfield with shuttle service to Houston Intercontinental Airport. According to the February 1, 1976 Official Airline Guide (OAG), Houston Metro was operating 22 round trip flights on weekdays between Clear Lake City and Houston Intercontinental. [16] After Metro Airlines decided to pursue other avenues of business in the airline industry, the Clear Lake City STOLport was abandoned and then demolished to make way for new suburban development. There is no trace remaining of this pioneering airfield. [17]

STOLport airlines

Rocky Mountain Airways was the worldwide launch customer of the de Havilland Canada Dash 7 four engine turboprop STOL aircraft. Rocky Mountain selected the 50-passenger Dash 7 specifically for the purpose of transporting passengers into high mountain airports with short runways such as the Avon STOLport located near Vail, Colorado from its hub located at Stapleton International Airport in Denver from 1978 through 1989. [18] [19] The airline also utilized the Dash 7 for scheduled flights into the small Steamboat Springs Airport in Colorado. Rocky Mountain first began airline operations with de Havilland DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft before subsequently commencing Dash 7 service and only operated STOL capable aircraft during its existence.[ citation needed ]

Norwegian Widerøe are one of the biggest STOLport operators in Europe as they have a fleet of over 40 Bombardier aircraft they mostly use on short runways in Northern and Western Norway.

Houston Metro Airlines operated Twin Otters in scheduled "cross-town" air service between the Clear Lake City STOLport in Clear Lake City, Texas and Houston Intercontinental Airport which had a dedicated STOL runway at the time. According to the February 1976 edition of the OAG, the airline was operating 22 round trip flights every weekday between Clear Lake City and Houston Intercontinental in a passenger shuttle service. [20]

SKS Airways from Malaysia launched its commercial operation in January 2022 by focusing on STOLports situated on domestic holiday islands. Its initial operation will be traveling back and forth using a Twin Otter type aircraft from either Subang or Senai airport to the islands of Pangkor, Redang and Tioman. It will also operate cargo and charter services between these locations. In the long run, they are planning to expand their network to major cities in Malaysia and other locations in Southeast Asia and Southern China.[ citation needed ]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STOL</span> Class of airplanes that are designed to takeoff and land in a short distance

A short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft is a conventional fixed-wing aircraft that has short runway requirements for takeoff and landing. Many STOL-designed aircraft also feature various arrangements for use on airstrips with harsh conditions. STOL aircraft, including those used in scheduled passenger airline operations, have also been operated from STOLport airfields which feature short runways.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telluride Regional Airport</span> Airport

Telluride Regional Airport is a public airport six miles west of Telluride, in San Miguel County, Colorado, United States. It is owned by the Telluride Regional Airport Authority. At an elevation of 9,078 feet above sea level, it was the highest commercial airport in North America with scheduled passenger flights when Great Lakes Airlines resumed scheduled passenger service in December 2016; however, those flights ceased in March 2018. In August 2018, commercial service returned with the introduction of Boutique Air, and the airport remains the highest airfield in the U.S. with scheduled passenger flights, and the second highest overall airfield in the US behind Leadville Airport. Denver Air Connection is currently the only airline flying scheduled passenger flights from Telluride with daily nonstop flights to Denver and Phoenix. Denver Air operates the Fairchild-Dornier 328JET into Telluride. The 328JET is one of the few regional jet airliners in service capable of operating at such high field elevations as TEX.

de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter Utility transport aircraft family by de Havilland Canada

The de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter is a Canadian STOL utility aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada in the mid-1960s and still in production today. De Havilland Canada produced it from 1965 to 1988; Viking Air purchased the type certificate, then restarted production in 2008 before re-adopting the DHC name in 2022. In 2023 DHC restarted production of the 300 series, in addition to the Series 400 produced by Viking. The aircraft's fixed tricycle undercarriage, STOL capabilities, twin turboprop engines and high rate of climb have made it a successful commuter airliner, typically seating 18–20 passengers, as well as a cargo and medical evacuation aircraft. In addition, the Twin Otter has been popular with commercial skydiving operations, and is used by the United States Army Parachute Team and the 98th Flying Training Squadron of the United States Air Force.

de Havilland Canada Dash 7 1975 airliner family by de Havilland Canada

The de Havilland Canada DHC-7, popularly known as the Dash 7, is a turboprop-powered regional airliner with short take-off and landing (STOL) performance. Variants were built with 50–54 seats. It first flew in 1975 and remained in production until 1988 when the parent company, de Havilland Canada, was purchased by Boeing in 1986 and later sold to Bombardier. In 2006 Bombardier sold the type certificate for the aircraft design to Victoria-based manufacturer Viking Air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Førde Airport</span> Airport in Bringelandsåsen, Norway

Førde Airport is a regional airport located at Bringelandsåsen in the municipality of Sunnfjord, about 16 kilometers (10 mi) south of the town of Førde in Vestland county, Norway. Owned and operated by the state-owned Avinor, the airport has a single 1,019-meter (3,343 ft) runway numbered 07–25. It is served by Widerøe, which operates De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft to Oslo.

Rocky Mountain Airways was an American commuter airline headquartered in Hangar No. 6 of Stapleton International Airport in Denver, Colorado. It was sold to Texas Air Corporation/Continental Airlines in 1986 and was operated as a Continental Express subsidiary until its operations were merged with Britt Airways in 1991. The airline flew from Denver's Stapleton International Airport to a variety of destinations in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming. The airline operated out of the old commuter terminal in Concourse A at Stapleton.

Angelina County Airport is a county-owned, public-use airport in Angelina County, Texas, United States. The airport is located seven nautical miles (13 km) southwest of the central business district of Lufkin, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florø Airport</span> Airport in Florelandet, Kinn

Florø Airport is a regional airport serving the town of Florø in Kinn Municipality, in the west central part of Vestland county, Norway. It is situated on the southern shore of the island of Florelandet, adjacent to the town center. Owned and operated by the state-owned Avinor, it features a 1,264-meter (4,147 ft) runway aligned 07/25. The airport had 201,686 passengers in 2014, making it the busiest regional airport in the country.

Royale Airlines was a regional airline with headquarters on the grounds of Shreveport Regional Airport (SHV) in Shreveport, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hasvik Airport</span> Airport in Hasvik, Norway

Hasvik Airport is a regional airport serving Hasvik Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. The airport is located in the village of Hasvik on the island of Sørøya. In 2012, Hasvik Airport had 7,629 passengers, making it the third-least busy airport operated by the state-owned Avinor. The airport consists of a 909-meter (2,982 ft) runway and is served by Widerøe with Dash 8-100 aircraft. The airport tower is operated remotely from Bodø.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vardø Airport</span> Airport in Svartnes, Vardø Municipality

Vardø Airport is a short take-off and landing airport located at Svartnes in Vardø Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. Owned and operated by the state-owned Avinor, it served 14,664 passengers in 2012. The airport has a 1,145-by-30-meter runway aligned 15–33. It is served by Widerøe who operate Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft to Kirkenes and other communities in Finnmark. The airport is located 4 kilometers (2.5 mi) from Vardøya and the town center of Vardø.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berlevåg Airport</span> Airport in Berlevåg, Finnmark, Norway

Berlevåg Airport is a regional airport serving Berlevåg Municipality in Finnmark county, Norway. The airport is situated 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) northwest of the village of Berlevåg and is owned and operated by Avinor. The airport tower is operated remotely from Bodø.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ørsta–Volda Airport</span> Airport in Ørsta, Norway

Ørsta–Volda Airport is a regional airport situated at Hovden (Hovdebygda), in Ørsta, Norway, midway between the towns of Ørsta and Volda. The airport features a 1,070-metre (3,510 ft) asphalt runway aligned 06/24. Services are provided by Widerøe using their de Havilland Canada Dash 8 as a public service obligation. Owned and operated by the state-owned Avinor, the airport handled 121,021 passengers in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steamboat Springs Airport</span> Airport

Steamboat Springs Airport is a city-owned airport three miles northwest of Steamboat Springs, in Routt County, Colorado. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a general aviation facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport</span> Airport in Angleton, Texas

Texas Gulf Coast Regional Airport, previously known as Brazoria County Airport, is a county-owned public-use airport in unincorporated Brazoria County, Texas, United States, in Greater Houston, located 4 miles (6.4 km) southwest of the central business district of Angleton and north of Lake Jackson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mustique Airport</span> Airport in Mustique, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Mustique Airport is a private airfield owned by the Mustique Company for public use and is located on Mustique island, part of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the Caribbean Sea. It is used by civil aviation and national airlines using turboprop planes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metro Airlines</span> Defunct US airline (1969–1993)

Metro Airlines, originally Houston Metro Airlines, was a commuter airline that was originally headquartered in Houston, Texas, United States,. Metro subsequently moved its headquarters to north Texas. The airline had an operational base located on the grounds of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and also had offices on the airport property and in Grapevine, Texas. Metro evolved into an airline holding company with the acquisition or creation of a number of different airlines, including as the banner carrier operating feeder services for Eastern Airlines as Eastern Metro Express which was based in Atlanta, GA and Metroflight which operated American Eagle service from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1993, and the assets were acquired by AMR Simmons Airlines.

Walt Disney World Airport, also known as Lake Buena Vista Airport and Lake Buena Vista STOLport, is a former small airfield owned by The Walt Disney Company, located within Walt Disney World, just east of the former Walt Disney World Speedway, in Bay Lake in Orange County, Florida, United States. When it was active, it accommodated smaller commuter airliners such as the de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop, which had STOL capabilities and could operate from airfields with short runways. It is no longer registered as an active airport by the FAA, ICAO, and IATA, and as of December 2017 serves Walt Disney World as a storage lot.

Clear Lake City STOLport (IATA: CLC) was owned by Houston Metro Airlines, a commuter air carrier. It was located adjacent to Clear Lake City on Texas State Highway 3 approximately two miles west of the NASA Johnson Space Center just southeast of Ellington Air Force Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">STOLports in Norway</span>

The Norwegian STOLport network is a network of STOLports, meaning that they are airports with short runways. The standard length of these runways is 800 m, compared to around 2500 m for a normal airport with 6-seat wide jetliners. In addition to shorter length, these airports are also narrower, with a standard width of 30 m compared to that of 60 m, respectively. They can only be used with small propeller aircraft. As of 2020, 26 of these airports are in use and 4 have been closed.

References

  1. 1 2 Mallela, J.; Wheeler, P.; Le Bris, G.; Nguyen, L.-G. (2023). ACRP Research Report 243: Urban Air Mobility: An Airport Perspective. Transportation Research Board, Washington, DC: https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/26899/urban-air-mobility-an-airport-perspective
  2. Stolport Manual Archived 2006-10-13 at the Wayback Machine (Doc 9150) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  3. FAA. Advisory Circular 150/5200-35 Archived 2011-06-07 at the Wayback Machine . Page 6. (PDF page 8) FAA SITE NR S = Stolport
  4. OR73.
  5. FAA. Airport Data (5010) & Contact Information. The January 15, 2009 NFDC facility database listed 82 facilities as TYPE=STOLPORT. The NFDC runway database listed 2 runways as having "STOL" markings and 6 runways designated with an "S" meaning "STOL runway"
  6. Elevated STOLport Test Facility Conceptual Development and Cost Study. April 1973.
  7. DECISION HELD UP ON SHIP TERMINAL; Council Unit Asks Agencies for Additional Data The New York Times. December 13, 1968
  8. Excerpt from history of Avinor (Norwegian) Archived 2012-03-21 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed May 21, 2010.
  9. Avinor vil legge ned fire flyplasser (in Norwegian)
  10. 1 2 FAA Chronology Archived 2008-06-24 at the Wayback Machine . Accessed August 26, 2008.
  11. Starting STOL Time. Aug. 16, 1968.
  12. The short, short life of Disney World's STOLport. (Blog)
  13. departedflights.com, Eastern Airlines Sept. 6, 1972 system timetable, page 68
  14. Eastern's STOL Shuttle Trials. John Bentley. Flight International. October 17, 1968.
  15. "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Colorado: Northeastern Denver area".
  16. February 1, 1976 Official Airline Guide, North American Edition, Clear Lake City – Houston Intercontinental flight schedule
  17. "Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields: Texas, Southeastern Houston area".
  18. The History and Impact of Rocky Mountain Airways [ permanent dead link ] AirInsight Interview with former Rocky Mountain Airways CEO. January 6, 2011.
  19. Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields – Avon STOLPort (WHR), Avon, CO
  20. Feb. 1, 1976 Official Airline Guide (OAG), Houston (IAH)-Clear Lake City (CLC) flight schedules

Further reading