The Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) is the owner of all four public airports in Jacksonville and serves as the Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) at Herlong. The airport was originally built during World War II to facilitate pilot training for the Navy and Air Force. After the war, the property was given to the city, and subsequently the JAA.
In recognition of the improvements and excellent operations, Herlong Recreational Airport was named the Florida Department of Transportation's General Aviation Airport of the Year in 2001.
Facilities and aircraft
Herlong Recreational Airport covers an area of 1,484 acres (601 ha) which contains two asphalt paved runways: 7/25 measuring 4,000 x 100 ft (1,219 x 30 m) and 11/29 measuring 3,500 x 100 ft (1,067 x 30 m).[1]
For the 12-month period ending October 20, 1999, the airport had 80,700 aircraft operations, an average of 221 per day: 97% general aviation and 3% military. There are 162 aircraft based at this airport: 70% single-engine, 9% multi-engine, 10% ultralight, 8% glider and 2% helicopter.[1]