Avon Park Executive Airport covers an area of 321 acres (130 ha) at an elevation of 160 feet (49 m) above mean sea level. It has two asphalt paved runways: 5/23 is 5,374 by 100 feet (1,638 x 30 m) and 10/28 is 3,844 by 75 feet (1,172 x 23 m).[1]
For the 12-month period ending July 31, 2008, the airport had 32,400 general aviation aircraft operations, an average of 88 per day. At that time there were 48 aircraft based at this airport: 83% single-engine, 13% multi-engine, 2% jet and 2% helicopter.[1]
History
The Avon Park Executive Airport opened as a civil airport in April 1940.[3] The facility was then known as Avon Park Municipal Airport.[3] During World War II the airport was leased by the United States Army Air Forces, who used it as a contract pilot training airfield.[3] During this period it was designated as Avon Park Army Airfield and placed under the jurisdiction of the 61st Army Air Force Fight Training Detachment.[3]
Operated by the Lodwick Aviation Military Academy, it was used as a primary (level 1) pilot training airfield.[4] Flying training was performed with Fairchild PT-19s as the primary trainer. Also had several PT-17 Stearmans assigned.[citation needed] The airfield had three 4'000 hard surfaced for landings and takeoffs. In addition, Avon Park MAP had four auxiliary airfields for emergency and overflow landings:
All of the Auxiliary airfields were grass all-way runways and not manned. After the war they were returned to their owners and today are indistinguishable from the surrounding landscape.[citation needed]
Closure
Training Command inactivated the military flying school on 16 October 1944 as part of the drawdown of AAFTC's pilot training program. Declared surplus and turned over to the Army Corps of Engineers on 30 September 1945. Eventually discharged to the War Assets Administration and returned to previous status as a civil airport.[citation needed]
Manning, Thomas A. (2005), History of Air Education and Training Command, 1942–2002. Office of History and Research, Headquarters, AETC, Randolph AFB, Texas OCLC71006954, 29991467
Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites, History’s Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC. OCLC57007862, 1050653629
