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'''Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport''' {{Airport codes|MKC|KMKC|MKC}},<ref>[http://gc.kls2.com/airport/MKC Great Circle Mapper: MKC / KMKC - Kansas City, Missouri (Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport)]</ref> also known as '''Kansas City Downtown Airport''', is a public [[airport]] located in [[Kansas City, Missouri]]. It is publicly owned by the City of Kansas City.<ref name=FAA />
'''Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport''' {{Airport codes|MKC|KMKC|MKC}},<ref>[http://gc.kls2.com/airport/MKC Great Circle Mapper: MKC / KMKC - Kansas City, Missouri (Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport)]</ref> (Kansas City Downtown Airport) is a public airport in [[Kansas City, Missouri]], owned by the City.<ref name=FAA />


==History==
==History==
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[[Image:Wheeler-airport.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The airport from [[Quality Hill, Kansas City|Quality Hill]]. The [[Broadway Bridge (Kansas City)]] is on the right. The [[Fairfax Assembly]] plant (the former [[Fairfax Airport]]) is the big building across the [[Missouri River]] on the left.]]
[[Image:Wheeler-airport.jpg|thumb|300px|left|The airport from [[Quality Hill, Kansas City|Quality Hill]]. The [[Broadway Bridge (Kansas City)]] is on the right. The [[Fairfax Assembly]] plant (the former [[Fairfax Airport]]) is the big building across the [[Missouri River]] on the left.]]


This airport replaced [[Richards Field]] as Kansas City's main airport. It was dedicated as ''New Richards Field'' in 1927 by [[Charles Lindbergh]]. It was soon renamed ''Kansas City Municipal Airport''. Its most prominent tenant was [[Trans World Airlines]] ([[TWA]]) which was headquartered in Kansas City because of its central location. The airport was built in the Missouri River bottoms next to the rail tracks at the [[Hannibal Bridge]]. At the time air travel was considered to be handled in conjunction with rail traffic.
This airport replaced [[Richards Field]] as Kansas City's main airport. It was dedicated as ''New Richards Field'' in 1927 by [[Charles Lindbergh]] and was soon renamed ''Kansas City Municipal Airport''. Its prominent tenant was [[Trans World Airlines]] ([[TWA]]) which was headquartered in Kansas City. The airport was built in the Missouri River bottoms next to the rail tracks at the [[Hannibal Bridge]]. At the time air travel was considered to be handled in conjunction with rail traffic.


The airport had limited area for expansion ([[Fairfax Airport]] across the Missouri River in [[Kansas City, Kansas]] covered a larger area). Airplanes had to avoid the {{convert|200|ft|m|-1|sing=on}} Quality Hill and the [[Downtown Kansas City]] skyline south of the south end of the main runway. In the early 1960s an FAA memo called it "the most dangerous major airport in the country" and urged that no further federal funds be spent on it. Kansas City replaced the airport in 1972 with [[Kansas City International Airport]].
The airport had limited area for expansion ([[Fairfax Airport]] across the Missouri River in [[Kansas City, Kansas]] covered a larger area). Airplanes had to avoid the {{convert|200|ft|m|-1|sing=on}} Quality Hill and the [[Downtown Kansas City]] skyline south of the south end of the main runway. In the early 1960s an FAA memo called it "the most dangerous major airport in the country" and urged that no further federal funds be spent on it. Kansas City replaced the airport in 1972 with [[Kansas City International Airport]].
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Airport diagram for [http://www.flickr.com/photos/12530375@N08/8041819927/sizes/h 1956]
Airport diagram for [http://www.flickr.com/photos/12530375@N08/8041819927/sizes/h 1956]


The April 1957 Official Airline Guide (OAG) showed weekday departures from MKC:
The April 1957 Official Airline Guide (OAG) showed:


* [[Braniff International Airways]] - 40 flights
* [[Braniff International Airways]] - 40 weekday departures
* [[Trans World Airlines]] ([[TWA]]) - 39 flights
* [[Trans World Airlines]] (TWA) - 39
* [[Continental Airlines]] - 9 flights
* [[Continental Airlines]] - 9
* [[United Air Lines]] - 4 flights
* [[United Air Lines]] - 4
* [[Delta Air Lines]] - 2 flights
* [[Delta Air Lines]] - 2
* [[Ozark Airlines]] - 2 flights
* [[Ozark Airlines]] - 2
* [[Central Airlines]] - 2 flights
* [[Central Airlines]] - 2


The downtown airport has been renamed for [[Charles Wheeler (politician)|Charles Wheeler]] who was mayor when Kansas City International opened. Richards Road which serves the airport is named for [[John Francisco Richards II]], a Kansas City airman killed in [[World War I]] (and whose name was also applied to Richards Field and [[Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base]]).
The downtown airport has been renamed for [[Charles Wheeler (politician)|Charles Wheeler]] who was mayor when Kansas City International opened. Richards Road which serves the airport is named for [[John Francisco Richards II]], a Kansas City airman killed in [[World War I]] (and whose name was also applied to Richards Field and [[Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base]]).
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Despite concerns about the airport being unsafe, [[Air Force One]] frequently uses it during Presidential visits.
Despite concerns about the airport being unsafe, [[Air Force One]] frequently uses it during Presidential visits.


Today the airport is used chiefly for corporate and recreational aviation. Its location near downtown has excellent highway access.
Today the airport is used for corporate and recreational aviation. Its location near downtown has excellent highway access.


It is home to the [[National Airline History Museum]].
It is home to the [[National Airline History Museum]].


== Facilities ==
== Facilities ==
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport covers an area of {{convert|700|acre|ha|0}} which contains two [[runway]]s:<ref name=FAA />
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport covers {{convert|700|acre|ha|0}} and has two [[runway]]s:<ref name=FAA />
* Runway 1/19: 7,002 x 150&nbsp;ft (2,134 x 46 m), Surface: [[Concrete]]; [[Engineered materials arrestor system|EMAS]] at south end<ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1554028.html Downtown airport boasts a new runway safety system, Kansas City.com, November 6, 2009]</ref>
* Runway 1/19: 7,002 x 150&nbsp;ft (2,134 x 46 m) [[Concrete]]; [[Engineered materials arrestor system|EMAS]] at south end<ref>[http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/1554028.html Downtown airport boasts a new runway safety system, Kansas City.com, November 6, 2009]</ref>


* Runway 3/21: 5,050 x 150&nbsp;ft (1,539 x 46 m), Surface: [[Asphalt]]
* Runway 3/21: 5,050 x 150&nbsp;ft (1,539 x 46 m) [[Asphalt]]


As of October 10, 2006, construction on runway 1-19 is complete and both runways are in use to their full length.
Construction on runway 1-19 is complete and both runways are in use to their full length.


Taxiway H was at one time part of runway 17/35. This runway was closed after an FAA decision on the amount of required separation between terminal buildings and the runway.
Taxiway H was at one time part of runway 17/35. This runway was closed after an FAA decision on the amount of required separation between terminal buildings and the runway.


The airport is built on the north side of the confluence of the [[Kansas River]] and [[Missouri River]]. Levees protected the airport relatively well during the [[Great Flood of 1951]] and the [[Great Flood of 1993]] although there were issues of standing water. The 1951 flood devastated the Fairfax airport and caused Kansas City to build what would become [[Kansas City International Airport]] away from the river to keep the TWA overhaul base in the area after it had been destroyed in the flood at Fairfax.
The airport is on the north side of the confluence of the [[Kansas River]] and [[Missouri River]]. Levees protected the airport relatively well during the [[Great Flood of 1951]] and the [[Great Flood of 1993]] although there was standing water. The 1951 flood devastated the Fairfax airport and caused Kansas City to build what would become [[Kansas City International Airport]] away from the river to keep the TWA overhaul base in the area after it had been destroyed in the flood at Fairfax.


Kansas City, MO Aviation Department announced plans on October 17, 2006 to build a $20 million aircraft [[hangar]] complex at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport including: 122 T-hangars, 13 box hangars, a {{convert|40000|sqft|m2|-3|sing=on}} terminal building with offices, a pilots' lounge, meeting rooms and a destination restaurant.
Kansas City, MO Aviation Department announced plans on October 17, 2006 to build a $20 million aircraft [[hangar]] complex at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport including: 122 T-hangars, 13 box hangars, a {{convert|40000|sqft|m2|-3|sing=on}} terminal building with offices, a pilots' lounge, meeting rooms and a destination restaurant.

Revision as of 18:13, 29 July 2013

Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport
FAA airport diagram
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerKansas City Aviation Department
OperatorKansas City Aviation Department
ServesKansas City, Missouri
LocationKansas City, Missouri
Elevation AMSL759 ft / 231 m
Coordinates39°07′24″N 094°35′34″W / 39.12333°N 94.59278°W / 39.12333; -94.59278
Websitewww.flyMKC.com
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
1/19 7,002 2,134 Concrete
3/21 5,050 1,539 Asphalt
Statistics (2006)
Aircraft operations83,219
Based aircraft229

Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport (IATA: MKC, ICAO: KMKC, FAA LID: MKC),[2] (Kansas City Downtown Airport) is a public airport in Kansas City, Missouri, owned by the City.[1]

History

The city considered calling the airport "Peninsula Field" because of the sharp bend in the Missouri River around the airport
The airport from Quality Hill. The Broadway Bridge (Kansas City) is on the right. The Fairfax Assembly plant (the former Fairfax Airport) is the big building across the Missouri River on the left.

This airport replaced Richards Field as Kansas City's main airport. It was dedicated as New Richards Field in 1927 by Charles Lindbergh and was soon renamed Kansas City Municipal Airport. Its prominent tenant was Trans World Airlines (TWA) which was headquartered in Kansas City. The airport was built in the Missouri River bottoms next to the rail tracks at the Hannibal Bridge. At the time air travel was considered to be handled in conjunction with rail traffic.

The airport had limited area for expansion (Fairfax Airport across the Missouri River in Kansas City, Kansas covered a larger area). Airplanes had to avoid the 200-foot (60 m) Quality Hill and the Downtown Kansas City skyline south of the south end of the main runway. In the early 1960s an FAA memo called it "the most dangerous major airport in the country" and urged that no further federal funds be spent on it. Kansas City replaced the airport in 1972 with Kansas City International Airport.

Airport diagram for 1956

The April 1957 Official Airline Guide (OAG) showed:

The downtown airport has been renamed for Charles Wheeler who was mayor when Kansas City International opened. Richards Road which serves the airport is named for John Francisco Richards II, a Kansas City airman killed in World War I (and whose name was also applied to Richards Field and Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base).

Despite concerns about the airport being unsafe, Air Force One frequently uses it during Presidential visits.

Today the airport is used for corporate and recreational aviation. Its location near downtown has excellent highway access.

It is home to the National Airline History Museum.

Facilities

Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport covers 700 acres (283 ha) and has two runways:[1]

  • Runway 3/21: 5,050 x 150 ft (1,539 x 46 m) Asphalt

Construction on runway 1-19 is complete and both runways are in use to their full length.

Taxiway H was at one time part of runway 17/35. This runway was closed after an FAA decision on the amount of required separation between terminal buildings and the runway.

The airport is on the north side of the confluence of the Kansas River and Missouri River. Levees protected the airport relatively well during the Great Flood of 1951 and the Great Flood of 1993 although there was standing water. The 1951 flood devastated the Fairfax airport and caused Kansas City to build what would become Kansas City International Airport away from the river to keep the TWA overhaul base in the area after it had been destroyed in the flood at Fairfax.

Kansas City, MO Aviation Department announced plans on October 17, 2006 to build a $20 million aircraft hangar complex at the Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport including: 122 T-hangars, 13 box hangars, a 40,000-square-foot (4,000 m2) terminal building with offices, a pilots' lounge, meeting rooms and a destination restaurant.

Incidents

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c FAA Airport Form 5010 for MKC PDF, effective 2007-03-15
  2. ^ Great Circle Mapper: MKC / KMKC - Kansas City, Missouri (Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport)
  3. ^ Downtown airport boasts a new runway safety system, Kansas City.com, November 6, 2009
  4. ^ "Pilot Dies In KC Air Show". 2011-08-20. Retrieved 2011-08-20.
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