Hickory Regional Airport
Encyclopedia
Hickory Regional Airport is a public airport
located three miles (5 km) west of the central business district
of Hickory
, a city in Catawba County
, North Carolina
, United States
. It is owned by the City of Hickory.
Hickory Regional Airport covers an area of 739 acres (299.1 ha) which contains two asphalt
paved runway
s: 6/24 measuring 6,400 x 150 ft. (1,951 x 46 m) and 1/19: 4,400 x 150 ft. (1,341 x 46 m). For the 12-month period ending July 31, 2009, the airport had 40,504 aircraft operations, an average of 111 per day: 99% general aviation and 1% military. There are also a total of 70 aircraft based on the airport.
The airport has an operating control tower
from 7:00am to 9:00pm daily for safety and sequencing of aircraft landing and departing. Also on the field is a Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
(ARFF) station manned 24/7. For weather information, the airport uses an automated airport weather station
(ASOS).
The airport terminal
building, which was built in 1960, has served as a hub for commerce and transportation for more than 40 years. However, it no longer supports airline travel as the most recent airline, Delta Connection, ceased operation from Hickory in 2005. The building remains an active part of the airport housing airport administration and maintenance, a café, rental cars, a bus service, as well as the Hickory Aviation Museum
.
In 2003, a new building was constructed to serve the general aviation
community. There are several flight instructor
s who instruct at the Hickory Regional Airport and airplane rental is provided through the fixed base operator
(FBO), Riverhawk Aviation. Instruction is provided both on an individual basis where the prospective pilot is taught both the knowledge and flight training required by the instructor, and through the flight school at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
, where the knowledge component is taught in a classroom setting. Additional pilot instruction including sport pilot training is given through an independent company on the airport that operates a Remos GX
and a Cub Crafters
Sport Cub aircraft.
Riverhawk Aviation, which is the airport's only FBO, has about 172000 square feet (15,979.3 m²) of hangar space, maintenance and office facilities. They have a FAR
part 145 repair station with highly trained Aircraft Maintenance Technician
s that can maintain and repair small piston aircraft to medium-sized business jets. On May 19, 2011, Riverhawk Aviation Inc. and it's subsidiaries voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
.
Shortly thereafter, the runway which came to be designated 6/24 was lengthened and both of the existing runways were paved. On August 2, 1941, Pennsylvania Central Airline which later became Capital Airlines
, brought the first scheduled air-carrier service to Hickory. This service was interrupted by World War II
, and was suspended in May, 1942. During the war years the Hickory Municipal Airport served as a Pilot Training center for the Military. In 1947, the Civil Aeronautics Administration
opened the Hickory Interstate Airways Communications Station, which was housed in a wooden structure on the south side of the field, at the former FBO
site. As the Flight Service Station, this operation is now housed, along with a portion of the Systems Maintenance Sector, in the modern Terminal Building. The main offices for the Systems Maintenance Sector are now located in the present FBO
office building. In May, 1950, the City of Hickory contracted for the construction of a North-South Runway (runway 1/19), which is a total of 4,400 feet in length. Capital Airlines
resumed scheduled service in August 1951, and continued until August 1952, at which time Piedmont Airlines
began to serve Hickory. Since initial construction, runway 6/24 has been extended in length twice, to its present length of 6,402 feet. A full Instrument Landing System
(ILS) was installed on runway 24, and commissioned in 1977. A MALSR Approach Lighting System
was also installed on this runway.
In 1960, the base of operations for the airport was moved from the south side of the field when the new terminal building was constructed. In the mid-1960s, the Fixed Base Operator
, Cannon Aviation, Inc., also moved from the south side of the field, into new quarters adjacent to the Terminal Building. The Fixed Base Operation was later bought by a locally formed corporation, Carolina Airways, Inc., and since that time, the FBO has changed owners several times and two substantial expansion projects have been completed.
In the early part of 1969, a new High Intensity Lighting system (HIRL) was installed on runway 6/24 as well as lighting on the parallel taxiway. A new taxiway, complete with lighting, was constructed parallel to runway 1/19. In the same improvements project, runway 6/24 was overlayed for the purpose of increasing the pavement
strength and a new 36-inch Airport Beacon
was installed.
In the Fall of 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration, following much planning and work, commissioned an Air Traffic Control Tower at the Hickory Airport.
On August 2, 1941, Pennsylvania Central Airlines which later became Capital Airlines
, brought the first scheduled air-carrier service to Hickory. This service was interrupted by World War II, and was suspended in May, 1942.
Capital Airlines resumed scheduled service in August 1951, and continued until August 1952, at which time Piedmont Airlines (1948–1989) began to serve Hickory. From 1952-1980, Piedmont Airlines provided direct and non-stop service to various destinations such as Asheville (NC), Charlotte (NC), Winston-Salem (NC), Tri-Cities Area (TN) and Atlanta (GA). Aircraft varied from the Douglas DC-3
, Martin 404, Fokker F27
, Fairchild Hiller FH-227
, and the NAMC YS-11
.
After the airline deregulation
of the late 1970s, the nature of commercial service would change for Hickory. Now smaller, commuter airline service would be offered to feed large hubs of aviation activity.
Atlantis Airlines (1979–1985) was one small airline of this type, offering up to 6 daily direct flights to Charlotte and Atlanta. The period of 1978-2002 would also see Sunbird Airlines
(later CCAir
) operate up to 10 daily flights using Cessna 402
and Cessna 404
(s), Beechcraft Model 99
Airliners, Shorts 330
and Shorts 360
Skyvans, DeHavilland Canada Dash 8, and BAE Jetstream 32 Turboprops. These aircraft would operate under the marketing names of Sunbird Airlines, Piedmont Commuter, and finally US Airways Express
. CCAir would be later acquired by Mesa Airlines
who would, in the wake of the September 11th 2001 attacks, decide to suspend its daily US Airways Express commuter flights to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in April 2002.
Most recently, in 2005, Delta Connection
carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines
operated Bombardier CRJ200
Regional Jets on their direct service to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, before ceasing this service in the fall of the year.
Local officials hope to attract and continue to aggressively pursue future commercial airline service, despite challenges caused by the relatively close proximity of the large Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Nonetheless, the airport has maintained a relatively high traffic volume due to its corporate, air charter, air cargo, and local and itinerant general aviation activity.
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) west 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 Hickory
Hickory, North Carolina
Hickory is a city in Catawba County, North Carolina. Hickory has the 162nd largest urban area in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 341,851, making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in North Carolina. The city's population was 37,222...
, a city in Catawba County
Catawba County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 160,000 people, 55,533 households, and 39,095 families residing in the county. The population density was 354 people per square mile . There were 59,919 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, 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 Hickory.
Facilities and aircraft
Asphalt
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: 6/24 measuring 6,400 x 150 ft. (1,951 x 46 m) and 1/19: 4,400 x 150 ft. (1,341 x 46 m). For the 12-month period ending July 31, 2009, the airport had 40,504 aircraft operations, an average of 111 per day: 99% general aviation and 1% military. There are also a total of 70 aircraft based on the airport.
The airport has an operating control tower
Control tower
A control tower, or more specifically an Air Traffic Control Tower , is the name of the airport building from which the air traffic control unit controls the movement of aircraft on and around the airport. Control towers are also used to control the traffic for other forms of transportation such...
from 7:00am to 9:00pm daily for safety and sequencing of aircraft landing and departing. Also on the field is a Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting
Aircraft rescue and firefighting is a special category of firefighting that involves the response, hazard mitigation, evacuation and possible rescue of passengers and crew of an aircraft involved in an airport ground emergency....
(ARFF) station manned 24/7. For weather information, the airport uses an automated airport weather station
Automated airport weather station
Automated airport weather stations are automated sensor suites which are designed to serve aviation and meteorological observing needs for safe and efficient aviation operations and weather forecasting...
(ASOS).
The airport terminal
Airport terminal
An airport terminal is a building at an airport where passengers transfer between ground transportation and the facilities that allow them to board and disembark from aircraft....
building, which was built in 1960, has served as a hub for commerce and transportation for more than 40 years. However, it no longer supports airline travel as the most recent airline, Delta Connection, ceased operation from Hickory in 2005. The building remains an active part of the airport housing airport administration and maintenance, a café, rental cars, a bus service, as well as the Hickory Aviation Museum
Hickory Aviation Museum
Hickory Aviation Museum is an aerospace museum at the Hickory Regional Airport in Hickory, North Carolina. It features a museum located in the former airport terminal with artifacts, a hangar with aircraft and outdoor exhibits of aircraft on the former airport ramp.-Exhibits:Most aircraft in the...
.
In 2003, a new building was constructed to serve the 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...
community. There are several flight instructor
Flight instructor
A flight instructor is a person who teaches others to fly aircraft. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator in pursuit...
s who instruct at the Hickory Regional Airport and airplane rental is provided through the fixed base operator
Fixed base operator
A Fixed-base operator or commonly abbreviated FBO is a term developed in the United States after the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926...
(FBO), Riverhawk Aviation. Instruction is provided both on an individual basis where the prospective pilot is taught both the knowledge and flight training required by the instructor, and through the flight school at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute is a public community college serving residents of Caldwell and Watauga counties in North Carolina...
, where the knowledge component is taught in a classroom setting. Additional pilot instruction including sport pilot training is given through an independent company on the airport that operates a Remos GX
Remos GX
|-References:**-External links:***...
and a Cub Crafters
Cub Crafters
Cub Crafters, Inc. is an aircraft manufacturer based in Yakima, Washington. Founded in 1980 to build parts and STC modifications for the Piper PA-18 Super Cub, their CC18-180 Top Cub was FAA-certified December 16, 2004 and is currently in production...
Sport Cub aircraft.
Riverhawk Aviation, which is the airport's only FBO, has about 172000 square feet (15,979.3 m²) of hangar space, maintenance and office facilities. They have a FAR
Federal Aviation Regulations
The Federal Aviation Regulations, or FARs, are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs are part of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations...
part 145 repair station with highly trained Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Aircraft Maintenance Technician
Aircraft maintenance technician, as used in the United States, refers to an individual who holds a mechanic certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration; the rules for certification, and for certificate-holders, are detailed in Subpart D of Part 65 of the Federal Aviation Regulations ,...
s that can maintain and repair small piston aircraft to medium-sized business jets. On May 19, 2011, Riverhawk Aviation Inc. and it's subsidiaries voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code
Chapter 11 is a chapter of the United States Bankruptcy Code, which permits reorganization under the bankruptcy laws of the United States. Chapter 11 bankruptcy is available to every business, whether organized as a corporation or sole proprietorship, and to individuals, although it is most...
.
History
The Hickory Municipal Airport was first opened to aircraft traffic on May 17, 1940. At that time, there were two unpaved runways which were 2,700 and 3,100 feet in length.Shortly thereafter, the runway which came to be designated 6/24 was lengthened and both of the existing runways were paved. On August 2, 1941, Pennsylvania Central Airline which later became Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines was an airline serving the eastern United States that merged into United Airlines in 1961. Its primary hubs were National Airport near Washington, DC, and Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh. In the 1950s it was the largest US domestic carrier after the Big Four . Its...
, brought the first scheduled air-carrier service to Hickory. This service was interrupted by 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...
, and was suspended in May, 1942. During the war years the Hickory Municipal Airport served as a Pilot Training center for the Military. In 1947, the Civil Aeronautics Administration
United States government role in civil aviation
Governments have played an important part in shaping air transportation. This role began as early as 1783, when the king of France summoned the Montgolfier brothers to demonstrate their balloon. In 1892, the French War Ministry backed an attempt to build a heavier-than-air flying machine...
opened the Hickory Interstate Airways Communications Station, which was housed in a wooden structure on the south side of the field, at the former FBO
Fixed base operator
A Fixed-base operator or commonly abbreviated FBO is a term developed in the United States after the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926...
site. As the Flight Service Station, this operation is now housed, along with a portion of the Systems Maintenance Sector, in the modern Terminal Building. The main offices for the Systems Maintenance Sector are now located in the present FBO
Fixed base operator
A Fixed-base operator or commonly abbreviated FBO is a term developed in the United States after the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926...
office building. In May, 1950, the City of Hickory contracted for the construction of a North-South Runway (runway 1/19), which is a total of 4,400 feet in length. Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines was an airline serving the eastern United States that merged into United Airlines in 1961. Its primary hubs were National Airport near Washington, DC, and Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh. In the 1950s it was the largest US domestic carrier after the Big Four . Its...
resumed scheduled service in August 1951, and continued until August 1952, at which time Piedmont Airlines
Piedmont Airlines
Piedmont Airlines is an American regional airline operating for US Airways Express. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the US Airways Group, headquartered in unincorporated Wicomico County, Maryland, near the city of Salisbury, it conducts flight operations using De Havilland Canada Dash 8 aircraft...
began to serve Hickory. Since initial construction, runway 6/24 has been extended in length twice, to its present length of 6,402 feet. A full Instrument Landing System
Instrument Landing System
An instrument landing system is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument...
(ILS) was installed on runway 24, and commissioned in 1977. A MALSR Approach Lighting System
Approach Lighting System
An approach lighting system, or ALS, is a lighting system installed on the approach end of an airport runway and consisting of a series of lightbars, strobe lights, or a combination of the two that extends outward from the runway end...
was also installed on this runway.
In 1960, the base of operations for the airport was moved from the south side of the field when the new terminal building was constructed. In the mid-1960s, the Fixed Base Operator
Fixed base operator
A Fixed-base operator or commonly abbreviated FBO is a term developed in the United States after the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926...
, Cannon Aviation, Inc., also moved from the south side of the field, into new quarters adjacent to the Terminal Building. The Fixed Base Operation was later bought by a locally formed corporation, Carolina Airways, Inc., and since that time, the FBO has changed owners several times and two substantial expansion projects have been completed.
In the early part of 1969, a new High Intensity Lighting system (HIRL) was installed on runway 6/24 as well as lighting on the parallel taxiway. A new taxiway, complete with lighting, was constructed parallel to runway 1/19. In the same improvements project, runway 6/24 was overlayed for the purpose of increasing the pavement
strength and a new 36-inch Airport Beacon
Aerodrome beacon
An aerodrome beacon or rotating beacon is a beacon installed at an airport or aerodrome to indicate its location to aircraft pilots at night....
was installed.
In the Fall of 1973, the Federal Aviation Administration, following much planning and work, commissioned an Air Traffic Control Tower at the Hickory Airport.
Commercial airline services
While not currently served by any commercial airline, the Hickory Regional Airport has had such service for much of its history.On August 2, 1941, Pennsylvania Central Airlines which later became Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines
Capital Airlines was an airline serving the eastern United States that merged into United Airlines in 1961. Its primary hubs were National Airport near Washington, DC, and Allegheny County Airport near Pittsburgh. In the 1950s it was the largest US domestic carrier after the Big Four . Its...
, brought the first scheduled air-carrier service to Hickory. This service was interrupted by World War II, and was suspended in May, 1942.
Capital Airlines resumed scheduled service in August 1951, and continued until August 1952, at which time Piedmont Airlines (1948–1989) began to serve Hickory. From 1952-1980, Piedmont Airlines provided direct and non-stop service to various destinations such as Asheville (NC), Charlotte (NC), Winston-Salem (NC), Tri-Cities Area (TN) and Atlanta (GA). Aircraft varied from the Douglas DC-3
Douglas DC-3
The Douglas DC-3 is an American fixed-wing propeller-driven aircraft whose speed and range revolutionized air transport in the 1930s and 1940s. Its lasting impact on the airline industry and World War II makes it one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made...
, Martin 404, Fokker F27
Fokker F27
The Fokker F27 Friendship is a turboprop airliner designed and built by the Dutch aircraft manufacturer Fokker.-Design and development:Design of the Fokker F27 started in the 1950s as a replacement to the successful Douglas DC-3 airliner...
, Fairchild Hiller FH-227
Fairchild Hiller FH-227
The Fairchild F-27 and Fairchild Hiller FH-227 were versions of the Fokker F27 Friendship twin-engined turboprop passenger aircraft manufactured under license by Fairchild Hiller in the United States...
, and the NAMC YS-11
NAMC YS-11
The NAMC YS-11 is a turboprop airliner built by a Japanese consortium, the Nihon Aircraft Manufacturing Corporation. The program was initiated by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1954, the aircraft was rolled out in 1962, and production ceased in 1974.-Development and design:In...
.
After the airline deregulation
Airline deregulation
Airline deregulation is the process of removing entry and price restrictions on airlines affecting, in particular, the carriers permitted to serve specific routes. In the United States, the term usually applies to the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978...
of the late 1970s, the nature of commercial service would change for Hickory. Now smaller, commuter airline service would be offered to feed large hubs of aviation activity.
Atlantis Airlines (1979–1985) was one small airline of this type, offering up to 6 daily direct flights to Charlotte and Atlanta. The period of 1978-2002 would also see Sunbird Airlines
Sunbird Airlines
Sunbird Airlines, "The Carolina Connection", was founded in Denver, North Carolina in 1979.Operating the Cessna 402, and later the Cessna 404 aircraft, the company shared equipment, operations, maintenance and facilities with parent company Mountain Air Cargo...
(later CCAir
CCAir
CCAir, Inc. was a regional airline headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.CCAir was created in 1987 when Sunbird Airlines was renamed. Operating as a Piedmont Commuter / USAir Express code-sharing partner, its radio call sign was "Carolina". The CC stood for Carolina Commuter...
) operate up to 10 daily flights using Cessna 402
Cessna 402
The Cessna 401 and 402 are series of 6 to 10 place, light twin, piston engine aircraft. This line was manufactured by Cessna from 1966 to 1985 under the name Utiliner and Businessliner...
and Cessna 404
Cessna 404
|-See also:-External links:* *...
(s), Beechcraft Model 99
Beechcraft Model 99
|-See also:-External links:*...
Airliners, Shorts 330
Shorts 330
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Barnes C.H. and James Derek N. Shorts Aircraft since 1900. London: Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-819-4.* Donald, David, ed. The Encyclopedia of Civil Aircraft. London: Aurum, 1999. ISBN 1-85410-642-2....
and Shorts 360
Shorts 360
The Short 360 is a commuter aircraft built by Short Brothers. The Short 360 seats up to 36-39 passengers and was introduced into service in 1981. It is a larger version of the Short 330.-Development:...
Skyvans, DeHavilland Canada Dash 8, and BAE Jetstream 32 Turboprops. These aircraft would operate under the marketing names of Sunbird Airlines, Piedmont Commuter, and finally US Airways Express
US Airways Express
US Airways Express is an airline brand name, rather than a fully certified airline, and as such, the US Airways Express name is used by several individually owned airlines or airline holding companies which provide regional airline and commuter service for US Airways.Operations are conducted from...
. CCAir would be later acquired by Mesa Airlines
Mesa Airlines
Mesa Airlines, Inc. is an American regional airline based in Phoenix, Arizona. It is a FAA Part 121 certificated air carrier operating under air carrier certificate number MASA036A issued on June 29, 1979. It is a subsidiary of Mesa Air Group. It was known briefly as Mountain West Airlines from...
who would, in the wake of the September 11th 2001 attacks, decide to suspend its daily US Airways Express commuter flights to Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in April 2002.
Most recently, in 2005, Delta Connection
Delta Connection
Delta Connection is the name under which a number of individually owned regional airlines and one wholly owned regional carrier operate short and medium haul routes in association with Delta Air Lines Inc...
carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines
Atlantic Southeast Airlines is an American airline based in the A-Tech Center in College Park, Georgia, flying to 144 destinations as a Delta Connection carrier and, as of February 2010, commenced service as a United Express carrier. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc. ASA operates...
operated Bombardier CRJ200
Bombardier CRJ200
The Bombardier CRJ100 and CRJ200 are a family of regional airliner manufactured by Bombardier, and based on the Canadair Challenger business jet.-Development:...
Regional Jets on their direct service to Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, before ceasing this service in the fall of the year.
Local officials hope to attract and continue to aggressively pursue future commercial airline service, despite challenges caused by the relatively close proximity of the large Charlotte-Douglas International Airport. Nonetheless, the airport has maintained a relatively high traffic volume due to its corporate, air charter, air cargo, and local and itinerant general aviation activity.
External links
- Hickory Regional Airport at City of Hickory website at North Carolina DOT website