Northampton Airport

For the airport in Northampton, England, see Sywell Aerodrome.
Northampton Airport
IATA: none – ICAO: none – FAA LID: 7B2
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Seven Bravo Two, LLC
Location Northampton, Massachusetts
Elevation AMSL 122 ft / 37.2 m
Coordinates 42°19′41″N 72°36′41″W / 42.32806°N 72.61139°W / 42.32806; -72.61139Coordinates: 42°19′41″N 72°36′41″W / 42.32806°N 72.61139°W / 42.32806; -72.61139
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
14/32 3,365 1,026 Asphalt

Northampton Airport (FAA LID: 7B2) 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 (220,000 m2) and has one runway that is 3,365 feet (1,026 m) in length and 50 feet (15 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.

History

The Northampton Airport was opened as a commercial airport on April 1, 1929. Many historic aviators, including Charles Lindbergh, 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).[1]

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.[1]

Located on the Connecticut River, it is within a long walking distance of downtown Northampton.[1]

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.

Flight school

Northampton Airport contains a flight school. The flight school consists of six flight instructors and six aircraft. The aircraft include one Cessna 152 (N94513), one Flight Design CT (N357JD), five Piper Warrior IIs (N8090H, N4302V, and N128PC), and one Piper Arrow (N3783M).

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Airport Information". Northampton Airport. 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2012.
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