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Chennault International Airport

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For the former U.S. Air Force use of this facility, see Chennault Air Force Base.
Chennault International Airport
USGS aerial photo as of 23 January 1994
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerChennault International Airport Authority
ServesLake Charles, Louisiana
Elevation AMSL17 ft / 5 m
Coordinates30°12′38″N 093°08′35″W / 30.21056°N 93.14306°W / 30.21056; -93.14306
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
15/33 10,701 3,262 Concrete
Statistics (2006)
Aircraft operations52,976
Based aircraft42
Sources: airport website[1] and FAA[2]

Chennault International Airport (IATA: CWF, ICAO: KCWF, FAA LID: CWF) is a public use airport located four nautical miles (7 km) east of the central business district of Lake Charles, a city in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, United States. It is owned by the Chennault International Airport Authority.[2]

It was previously Chennault Air Force Base and before that, Lake Charles Air Force Base and Lake Charles Army Air Field, and as such, was home to the now inactivated 44th Bombardment Wing in the 1950s and 1960s. The U.S. Air Force initially operated B-29 Superfortress bombers as well as KC-97 air-to-air refueling tankers and later flew B-47E Stratojet bombers from the airfield.

While a fully operational airport, it is an industrial center and provides no commercial air services. Those needs are served by Lake Charles Regional Airport. It is named for Major General Claire Chennault, USAAF, the aviator famous for commanding the Flying Tigers fighter group during World War II[1].

Its mission statement reads as follows: "The Authority created pursuant hereto shall be established for the primary object and purpose of stimulating and encouraging the development of an industrial park for economic development through commerce, industry and research and for the utilization and development of natural and human resources of the area and provide job opportunities."[2]

Northrop Grumman Corporation is Chennault's major aircraft manufacturing and modification tenant. Aeroframe Services, LLC (formerly EADS Aeroframe Services, Inc.) had specialized in maintenance and overhaul services for Airbus and other jetliner aircraft; however, this company then ceased operations and was replaced by AAR Corporation. Million Air, Chennault's fixed-base operator (FBO) for business and general aviation as well as charter operations, is also located on the airport. Airborne Express (now ABX Air) flying air freight operations for DHL had served Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas with McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30 jet freighter service from its on-airport truck hub; however, these flights were discontinued when DHL restructured its U.S. operations.

Other features

Sowela Technical Community College, located on the former Chennault Air Force Base, offers a variety of academic and technical programs with terminating certificates, diplomas, and/or associate degrees. The College's Workforce Development unit tailors training programs to meet local business, industry and community training needs.

The site was officially designated by NASA as an alternative landing site for the Space Shuttle. NASA continues to use the airfield for cross country training missions conducted with T-38 Talon supersonic trainers with these jet aircraft being based at Ellington Field near the Johnson Space Center in the Houston area.

The Mallard Cove Golf Course, an 18-hole championship golf course, is located near the airport.

Facilities and aircraft

Chennault International Airport covers an area of 1,310 acres (530 ha) at an elevation of 17 feet (5 m) above mean sea level. It has one concrete paved runway designated 15/33 which measures 10,701 by 200 feet (3,262 by 61 m).[2]

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 52,976 aircraft operations, an average of 145 per day: 58% general aviation, 38% military, 3% air taxi and 1% scheduled commercial. At that time there were 42 aircraft based at this airport: 38% single-engine, 10% multi-engine, 29% jet, 12% helicopter and 12% military.[2]

References

  1. ^ Chennault International Airport Authority Archived 2006-01-30 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for CWF PDF, effective 2008-06-05
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