Waco Regional Airport

For the radio stations in Andrews, Texas, see KACT (AM) and KACT-FM.
Waco Regional Airport
Blackland AAF

2008 USGS airphoto
IATA: ACT – ICAO: KACT – FAA LID: ACT
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner City of Waco
Serves Waco, Texas
Elevation AMSL 516 ft / 157 m
Coordinates 31°36′41″N 097°13′50″W / 31.61139°N 97.23056°WCoordinates: 31°36′41″N 097°13′50″W / 31.61139°N 97.23056°W
Website waco-texas.com/airport/...
Map
KACT

Location

Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
1/19 6,596 2,010 Asphalt
14/32 5,896 1,797 Asphalt
Statistics (2006)
Aircraft operations 36,011
Based aircraft 100
Aerial photo of Waco Regional Airport and Lake Waco

Waco Regional Airport (IATA: ACT, ICAO: KACT, FAA LID: ACT) is five miles northwest of Waco, in McLennan County, Texas. It is owned by the City of Waco.[1]

The airport is a 20-25 minute drive to Downtown Waco and the Baylor University Campus.

Facilities

Waco Regional Airport covers 1,369 acres (554 ha) and has two asphalt runways: 1/19 is 6,596 x 150 ft (2,010 x 46 m) and 14/32 is 5,896 x 150 ft (1,797 x 46 m).[1]

In 2006 the airport had 36,011 aircraft operations, average 98 per day: 65% general aviation, 27% air taxi, 8% military and 1% airline. 100 aircraft are based at the airport: 53% single-engine, 38% multi-engine, 6% jet and 3% helicopter.[1]

The airport is planning an expansion: three jetways and a larger lobby area and holding room. There is no wireless access; it is planned in the expansion.

Airlines and destinations

Airlines Destinations
American Eagle Dallas/Fort Worth

History

The airport was built by the United States Army Air Force as a pilot training airfield, and was activated on 2 July 1942. It was initially China Springs Army Air Field and was also known as Waco Army Air Field No. 2 before being renamed Blackland Army Airfield after the local black soil.

It was first a glider training school and in October 1942 Blackland was assigned to the AAF Gulf Coast Training Center, with the Army Air Force Pilot School (Advanced Twin-Engine) activated (phase 3 pilot training). The school's mission was to train cadets to fly transports and bombers. Pilot wings were awarded upon graduation and were sent on to group combat training by First, Second, Third or Fourth Air Force. Graduates were usually graded as Flight Officers (Warrant Officers); cadets who graduated at the top of their class were graded as Second Lieutenants.

The school used a number of trainers, including the AT-8, AT-9, AT-10, and B-25. On 8 January 1943, the War Department constituted and activated the 33d Flying Training Wing (Advanced Twin-Engine) at Blackland and assigned it to the AAF Central Flying Training Command.

Flying training at the airfield ended on 4 February 1945 and it became a sub-base of Waco Army Airfield. The field became inactive on October 31, 1945. By 1950 the facility was disposed of by the War Assets Administration (WAA) and deeded to the local government, being operated as Waco Municipal Airport. Some buildings were used as a public housing project.

Airline flights began in the 1940s; in 1957 Braniff, Continental and Trans-Texas all stopped there. BN and CO pulled out in 1962.

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 FAA Airport Master Record for ACT (Form 5010 PDF), effective 2007-10-25

External links