HomeMy WebLinkAboutEasterwood Development 120303aEasterwood Field served as training facility for. pilots
• Editor's Note: As the new millennium
approaches, it is an appropriate time to
look back on our community and reflect on
where we have come from. In this continu-
ing series of articles from the archives of
The Bryan - College Station Eagle, we will
look back at those historical moments.
This installment looks at the development
of transportation in Brazos County. It is by
state Rep. Fred Brown, R- College Station,
owner of several automobile dealerships in
the region.
PILOT TRAINING
Easterwood Field was established and
operated as a CAA pilot training facili-
ty by a local group called the Kadett
Aviation Company. The CAA construc-
tion was finished in March 1944 and the
Texas A &M University System board of
directors approved the operation
through the School of Engineering in
October 1944.
Bryan Air Base was a part of the
transportation scene in World War II,
but was closed after the war. It was
reopened briefly during the Korean
conflict.
To qualify for an airline stop, run-
ways were required to have lighting,
and this was not in the original con-
struction for Easterwood Field.
*ow' ' 04 qua 4pg
THE MILLENNIUM PROJECT
2000
THE BRYAN - COLLEGE STATION EAGLE
Lighting, however, was provided in
1948.
Pasture had turned to pavement and
an airport was born with Pioneer
Airlines making the inaugural commer-
cial flight into Easterwood Airport,
which also marked the beginning of
major passenger service for the Brazos
Valley. By 1965, passenger service had
increased by 46 percent and air freight
and air express had increased signifi-
cantly.
NEW TERMINAL
Many changes have occurred at
Easterwood Airport since 1984, as the
airport has been enlarged and now has
a 7,000- foot -long primary runway that
will accommodate 727s and DC -9 type
aircraft.
A multilevel terminal with 33,000
square feet accommodates up to five
727 -type aircraft.
Easterwood Airports has commuter
lines, freight hauling, three privately
owned hangers, rental car companies,
cab companies and a pilot training
school.
The older terminal became the gener-
al aviation terminal, and the tower
building is operated by the Federal
Aviation Administration.
With the emergence of automobiles,
trucks and bus service, the railroad no
longer was of importance to Brazos
County's economy and way of life.
Passenger service was discontinued in
the 1950s and, by 1970, most freight in
Brazos County was handled by truck
lines.
NEXT: A bright future.