Ottumwa Regional Airport

Last updated
Ottumwa Regional Airport
Ottumwa Regional Airport.jpg
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of Ottumwa
Serves Ottumwa, Iowa
Elevation  AMSL 845 ft / 258 m
Coordinates 41°06′24″N092°26′53″W / 41.10667°N 92.44806°W / 41.10667; -92.44806
Map
USA Iowa relief location map.svg
Airplane silhouette.svg
OTM
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Airplane silhouette.svg
OTM
Runways
Direction LengthSurface
ftm
13/315,8851,794Asphalt/concrete
4/224,6001,402Asphalt
Statistics
Aircraft operations (2015)16,450
Based aircraft (2017)25

Ottumwa Regional Airport [1] [2] ( IATA : OTM, ICAO : KOTM, FAA LID : OTM), formerly Ottumwa Industrial Airport, is six miles northwest of Ottumwa, in Wapello County, Iowa. [1] The airport is owned by the City of Ottumwa and is operated by the Airport Advisory Board. It is listed as a general aviation airport in the National Plan of Integrated Airport System (NPIAS) and as an Enhanced Service Airport in the Iowa Aviation System Plan. [3]

Contents

History

Trainer aircraft over Administration Building NAS Ottumwa 1.JPG
Trainer aircraft over Administration Building

Ottumwa Naval Air Station (NAS Ottumwa) was constructed as a Naval Training Center shortly after America's entry into World War II. The Navy, faced with providing aviators and support personnel for a two-front war, began a massive campaign of rapid expansion. On April 15, 1942, the U.S. Navy Site Selection Board met with Ottumwa city officials and determined a 1,400-acre tract of land a few miles north of the city would be a suitable location for a primary flight training facility. Based on their recommendation, Navy Secretary Frank Knox approved the location on July 9, 1942, and on August 6, 1942, groundbreaking for the base was held. [4] The first group of Naval Aviation Cadets arrived at the base on March 10, 1943, and flight training officially began four days later. Another first for NAS Ottumwa occurred on May 30, 1943, when the first group of U.S. Navy WAVES arrived. [4] At its peak, NAS Ottumwa was averaging one thousand flight hours per day, and over 600,000 flight hours logged by the time the base was closed. [5] Aircraft used in flight training were mostly the SNJ, the N3N Canary, and the N2S Kaydet. Around sixty buildings—hangars, control tower, barracks, classrooms and sundry others—were built for the Navy's use. The base avenues were named for U.S. Navy aircraft carriers that served early in World War II: Enterprise , Hornet , Langley , Lexington , Wasp and Yorktown . Streets were named for U.S. Navy Admirals Dewey, Farragut, Moffett, and Sims along with Marine Corps General Smedley Butler and American Revolutionary War naval hero John Paul Jones. [6]

One thing that set NAS Ottumwa apart from most other temporary Naval air training facilities around the nation was the quality of materiels used in construction. [7] Wood-frame, clapboard-sided buildings were the norm at most bases, However concerned about the poor quality of wood available for base construction due to a nationwide shortage and the delays that might ensue at NAS Ottumwa, the base commander instead sought out other construction materiels. Ottumwa Brick and Tile, a factory located not far from the NAS Ottumwa site, provided high-quality, durable brick for the base construction. [7] Because of that, several of the buildings, approximately fourteen in various states of disrepair, remain. [7] A series of 19 auxiliary landing strips, mostly unpaved, were also established within a 25-mile radius of Ottumwa. [8]

Flightline at NAS Ottumwa, mid-1940s NAS Ottumwa 2.JPG
Flightline at NAS Ottumwa, mid-1940s

Among the thousands of Navy personnel who served at the base was Richard M. Nixon, later U.S. vice-president and president. Nixon was stationed at NAS Ottumwa from October 1942 until May 1943. [9] Several other notables also served at NAS Ottumwa, including Scott Carpenter, one of the seven Project Mercury astronauts and the second American to orbit the Earth. [10] College Football Hall of Famer Bob Steuber, and Jesse L. Brown, the U.S. Navy's first African-American pilot. [11] In all, over 4,600 naval aviators earned their "wings of gold" at NAS Ottumwa. [7]

With the end of World War II, NAS Ottumwa changed from a flight training role to classroom-based pre-flight training on December 7, 1945. [4] On May 20, 1947, the U.S Secretary of the Navy ordered that the U.S. Navy Pre-Flight school at NAS Ottumwa be moved to NAS Pensacola. [12] This was completed by October 1947, with the last Navy plane leaving Ottumwa on October 2. The City of Ottumwa acquired the base by lease on October 20, 1947. Outright ownership would be granted to the city on September 16, 1957. [4] Efforts to save part of the airport's naval aviation past are currently underway. The Administration Building from NAS Ottumwa is being restored by the non-profit group Friends of the Naval Air Station Ottumwa. [10] The building, which had been unused since 1984, was in a state of considerable disrepair when the group took over its care. Once renovations are done it will repurposed as a Naval air and space museum. In June, 2013 the administration building was approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. [13] It is one of only fourteen buildings built for and used by NAS Ottumwa still existing. [6]

NAS Ottumwa, mid-1940s NAS Ottumwa 3.JPG
NAS Ottumwa, mid-1940s

Civil use

In 1947, Mid-Continent Airlines began flying to Ottumwa; in 1956, successor Braniff Airlines was replaced by Ozark Air Lines. [14] Ozark Air Lines ended service to Ottumwa in 1979, replaced by Mississippi Valley Airlines until 1983. In 1985, Ottumwa Industrial Airport was served by Great Lakes Aviation, that service ending in 2001. Ottumwa has had no airline service since then.

In 2002, the City of Ottumwa, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration built a new terminal at the airport, replacing the World War II-era operations building that had served as the terminal. The new facility cost nearly $1 million. The airport was renamed in 2008 from Ottumwa Industrial Airport to Ottumwa Regional Airport. [15]

Ottumwa Regional Airport received a $3.9 million renovation in 2009. Most of the work centered on repaving and extending runway 4/22 with an asphalt surface, as well as adding a new parallel taxiway and upgrading lighting. [16]

Other uses

Since being taken over by the city of Ottumwa, the facility has seen many non-aviation uses, many related to education. Ottumwa Industrial Park, next to the airport on land originally part of NAS Ottumwa, has attracted manufacturing and office buildings to the area. A Job Corps training facility opened in the park in 2012. [17] The largest educational presence is Indian Hills Community College. Their "North Campus", one of two in Ottumwa, offers education programs in aviation maintenance technology, pilot training, and avionics technology, as well as automotive collision repair, commercial driver training and welding. [18]

Facilities

The airport covers 1,600 acres (650  ha ) at an elevation of 845 feet (258 m). It has two runways: 13/31 is 5,885 by 150 feet (1,794 x 46 m) asphalt/concrete and 4/22 is 4,600 by 100 feet (1,402 x 30 m) asphalt. [1] Runway 13/31 is the primary runway; Runway 31 has an ILS (Instrument Landing System).

In the year ending June 23, 2015, the airport had 16,450 general aviation aircraft operations, an average of 45 per day. In January 2017, 25 aircraft were based at this airport: 17 single-engine, 3 multi-engine and 5 jet. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlando Sanford International Airport</span> Public airport in Sanford, Florida, United States

Orlando Sanford International Airport is in Sanford, Florida, United States, near Orlando. It was built as Naval Air Station Sanford, a Master Jet Base for carrier-based attack and reconnaissance aircraft, and was used by the U.S. Navy until 1969. The airport is owned and operated by the Sanford Airport Authority. It serves as an operating base for Allegiant Air.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sioux Falls Regional Airport</span> Airport in South Dakota, United States

Sioux Falls Regional Airport, also known as Joe Foss Field, is a public and military use airport three miles northwest of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. It is named in honor of aviator and Sioux Falls native Joe Foss, who later served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota (1955–1959).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern Iowa Airport</span> Airport in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Eastern Iowa Airport is in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Wright Brothers Boulevard on the south edge of town, two miles (3.2 km) west of Interstate 380. CID covers 3,288 acres (1,331 ha).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Atlantic City International Airport</span> Airport in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States

Atlantic City International Airport is a shared civil-military airport 9 miles (14 km) northwest of central Atlantic City, New Jersey, in Egg Harbor Township, the Pomona section of Galloway Township and in Hamilton Township. The airport is accessible via Exit 9 on the Atlantic City Expressway. The facility is operated by the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which performs select management functions. Most of the land is owned by the Federal Aviation Administration and leased to the SJTA, while the SJTA owns the terminal building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kirksville Regional Airport</span> Domestic airport serving Kirksville, Missouri, United States

Kirksville Regional Airport is four miles south of Kirksville, Missouri, on the west side of US highway 63. One airline schedules passenger flights, subsidized by the Essential Air Service program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dothan Regional Airport</span> Airport in Dale County, Alabama

Dothan Regional Airport is a public airport in Dale County, Alabama, United States, seven miles northwest of Dothan, a city mostly in Houston County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daytona Beach International Airport</span> Airport within Daytona Beach city limits

Daytona Beach International Airport is a county-owned airport located three miles (5 km) southwest of Daytona Beach, next to Daytona International Speedway, in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The airport has 3 runways, a six-gate domestic terminal, and an international terminal. Daytona Beach is the headquarters of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quincy Regional Airport</span> Airport serving Quincy, Illinois, United States

Quincy Regional Airport is a city-owned airport 12 miles east of Quincy, a city in Adams County, Illinois, United States. It is used for general aviation but also sees Southern Airways Express flights to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport and St. Louis Lambert International Airport, a service which is subsidized by the federal government's Essential Air Service program at a cost of $1,956,856. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027 categorized it as a national non-primary commercial service facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phoenix Goodyear Airport</span> Airport in Maricopa County, Arizona

Phoenix Goodyear Airport is a public airport in Goodyear, Arizona in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarksville–Montgomery County Regional Airport</span> Airport in Tennessee

Clarksville–Montgomery County Regional Airport, or simply Outlaw Field, is seven miles northwest of Clarksville, in Montgomery County, Tennessee, United States. It is owned by the city of Clarksville and Montgomery County and is near Fort Campbell.

Iowa City Municipal Airport, is two miles southwest of downtown Iowa City, in Johnson County, Iowa. It is the oldest civil airport west of the Mississippi River still in its original location.

The Millington-Memphis Airport is a public airport in the city of Millington, Tennessee, in Shelby County, United States. The airport is located 16 miles (26 km) north of Memphis. It was historically known as Naval Air Station Memphis, and it still provides support to military aircraft visiting the adjacent Naval Support Activity Mid-South.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Air Station Sanford</span> Airport in Sanford, Florida

Naval Air Station Sanford was a naval air station of the United States Navy in Sanford, Florida, approximately 20 miles north of Orlando, Florida. Opening less than a year after the start of World War II, NAS Sanford's initial function was as an advanced training base for land-based patrol bombers, followed by carrier-based fighter aircraft. The air station briefly closed in 1946 and was placed in caretaker status until being reactivated in 1950. It eventually served as a Master Jet Base for carrier-based heavy attack and reconnaissance aircraft until 1969. After its closure, it reopened as civilian general aviation airport under various names with a non-Navy civilian airport identifier until finally transitioning to a scheduled air carrier airport under its current name of Orlando-Sanford International Airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northeast Florida Regional Airport</span> Airport in Unincorporated St. Johns County, near St. Augustine

Northeast Florida Regional Airport, is located approximately four miles (6 km) north of historic St. Augustine, in St. Johns County, Florida, United States. NFRA serves as a key connection point for air travel in the Northeast Florida region. It is a public airport managed by the St. Johns County Airport Authority on behalf of the citizens of St. Johns County. Airport facilities include both commercial and general aviation terminals.

Cecil Airport is a public airport and commercial spaceport located in Jacksonville, Florida, United States. It is owned by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority and services military aircraft, corporate aircraft, general aviation, and air cargo. The Florida Army National Guard's primary Army Aviation Support Facility and the U.S. Coast Guard's Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) are also located here, the former operating CH-47 Chinook, UH-60 Blackhawk, UH-72 Lakota and C-12 Huron aircraft, and the latter operating the MH-65C Dolphin helicopter.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeLand Municipal Airport</span> Airport

DeLand Municipal Airport, also known as Sidney H. Taylor Field, is a city-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles (5 km) northeast of the central business district of DeLand, a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Air Station Glynco</span> Former military air base

Naval Air Station Glynco, Georgia, was an operational naval air station from 1942 to 1974 with an FAA airfield identifier of NEA and an ICAO identifier of KNEA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palatka Municipal Airport</span> Airport in Florida, United States

Palatka Municipal Airport, also known as Lieutenant Kay Larkin Field, is a city-owned, public-use airport located two nautical miles (4 km) northwest of the central business district of Palatka, a city in Putnam County, Florida, United States. It is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vero Beach Regional Airport</span> Airport in Indian River County, Florida

Vero Beach Regional Airport is a public airport one mile northwest of Vero Beach in Indian River County, Florida, United States. The airport is publicly owned and is the home of Piper Aircraft.

Acadiana Regional Airport is a public use airport in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by Iberia Parish, managed by the Iberia Parish Airport Authority and is located four nautical miles (7 km) northwest of the central business district of New Iberia, Louisiana near U.S. 90.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 FAA Airport Form 5010 for OTM PDF . Federal Aviation Administration. Effective Jan 5, 2017.
  2. ↑ Ottumwa Regional Airport Archived 2009-10-13 at the Wayback Machine . City of Ottumwa. Accessed 14 October 2009.
  3. ↑ "Airport Summary Report: Ottumwa Industrial Airport" (PDF). Iowa Aviation System Plan. 2004.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "NAS Ottumwa Historical Timeline". Friends of NAS Ottumwa website. 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  5. ↑ Hedrick, Tess (10 May 2012). "History of the Ottumwa Regional Airport". KTVO-TV website. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  6. 1 2 "National Register of Historic Places application" (PDF). National Park Service. 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Newman, Mark (24 January 2013). "Naval Air Station nomination could fly, consultant says". The Ottumwa Courier website. Retrieved 25 January 2013.
  8. ↑ "NAS Ottumwa scrapbook". Friends of NAS Ottumwa website. 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  9. ↑ Commander Richard M. Nixon, USNR. U.S. Navy Naval Historical Center.
  10. 1 2 Hedrick, Tess (25 July 2012). "Ottumwa Naval Air Station restoration project underway". KTVO-TV website. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "NAS Ottumwa alumni". Friends of NAS Ottumwa website. 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  12. ↑ "Between the Wars: 1946-1950". Fist of the Fleet squadron website. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 16 November 2012. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  13. ↑ "Administration Building - National Register of Historic Places program". United States National Park Service. 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  14. ↑ Ozark Airlines: 1950 - 1986
  15. ↑ Kasparie, Jill (4 September 2008). "Ottumwa Industrial Airport gets new name". KTVO-TV. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  16. ↑ Kasperi, Jill (17 August 2009). "Big changes expected at Ottumwa Regional Airport". KTVO-TV. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  17. ↑ Deffenbaugh, Greg (8 June 2012). "Local and national leaders come together to dedicate Ottumwa's Job Corps campus". KTVO-TV. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
  18. ↑ "IHCC Mission and History". Indian Hills CC website. 2012. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.