Hanscom Field

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Laurence G. Hanscom Field
IATA: BED - ICAO: KBED
Summary
Airport type Public
Operator Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport)
Serves Bedford, Massachusetts
Elevation AMSL 133 ft (40.5 m)
Coordinates 42°28′11.831″N, 71°17′20.508″W
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
11/29 7,001 2,134 Asphalt/grooved
5/23 5,106 1,556 Asphalt/grooved

Hanscom Field (IATA: BED, ICAO: KBED)[1][2], also known by its full name Laurence G. Hanscom Field, is a full-service airport located in Bedford, Massachusetts, United States and is operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority. Hanscom is primarily a general aviation facility, the largest in New England; though there is limited scheduled airline service operated by Boston-Maine Airways operating as Pan Am Clipper Connection. The airport's two runways can both accommodate jet aircraft, and are also used by Hanscom Air Force Base, a defense-research facility. Hanscom Air Force Base is located directly adjacent to Hanscom Field, and the Air Force Base has its own ramps and hangars for aircraft parking.

Hanscom is a popular training airport, with more than 40 rental aircraft on the field. The Civil Air Terminal building is home to two flight schools, East Coast Aero Club and Executive Flyers. East Coast Aero Club offers helicopter and airplane instruction and rental. Executive Flyers offers airplane and aerobatics instruction. Transient general aviation planes are served by two FBOs: Jet Aviation and Signature Flight Support.

Hanscom is a critical part of the air transportation infrastructure for Massachusetts and the rest of New England. As T. F. Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island and Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in New Hampshire have become viable alternatives to Logan International Airport, the region's main airport serving commercial airlines, Hanscom has emerged as one of the most important airports serving the region's business and general aviation needs.

In September 1964, The Beatles arrived at Hanscom Field aboard a chartered aircraft during one of their American concert tours. They were making an appearance at Boston Garden the following day. It was felt that the immense popularity of the British singing group would cause congestion at Boston-Logan International Airport, so this alternative airport was selected.

In April 1975, President Gerald Ford used Hanscom Field after making a speech in Concord, Massachusetts to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

Several airlines have operated scheduled commercial service from the field. Shuttle America flew from the field for several years before going out of business. Two companies, Boston-Maine Airways, (affiliate airline of Pan AM) (http://www.bmairways.com/) and Linear Air (http://www.linearair.com/) operate commercial service as of 2007.

The field serves a wide diversity of aviation, from Piper Cubs to Gulfstream V jets. The events of September 11 caused a number of changes to general aviation in the US. Hanscom Field saw changes implemented by Massport that included large security fees, identification cards, and a requirement for propeller locks. These change have been met with skepticism by the general aviation community, causing many pilots to locate elsewhere.

Contents

Hanscom can be reached by car by following Route 2A west from exit 30B on I-95/Route 128. It is serviced by the MBTA's Route 76 bus from Alewife Station.

  1. ^ AirNav.com: Laurence G. Hanscom Field, AirNav.com, 2006, accessed on April 12, 2006.
  2. ^ fltplan.com: Laurence G. Hanscom Field, fltplan.com, 2006, accessed on April 12, 2006.
  3. ^ http://www.flypanam.com/dest.html PanAm Clipper Connection Destinations

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../h/a/n/Hanscom_Field_1992.html"
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