Meadows Field Airport

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Meadows Field
Kern County Airport No. 1
250px
IATA: BFL – ICAO: KBFL – FAA LID: BFL
Summary
Airport type Public
Owner Kern County
Operator Kern County Department of Airports
Serves Greater Bakersfield metropolitan area
Location Oildale, California
Elevation AMSL 510 ft / 155 m
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Website www.MeadowsField.com
Maps
Location of Meadows Field
BFL is located in California
BFL
BFL
Location in California
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
12L/30R 10,855 3,309 Asphalt
12R/30L 7,703 2,348 Asphalt
Statistics (2011)
Aircraft operations 131,102
Based aircraft 219
File:Meadows Field logo.png
Former airport logo

Meadows Field (IATA: BFL, ICAO: KBFL, FAA LID: BFL) is a public airport in Kern County, California, three miles northwest of downtown Bakersfield, California.[1] It is the main airport for the Bakersfield area, and one of two international airports in the San Joaquin Valley. Also known as Kern County Airport #1, it is in Oildale, California.

Federal Aviation Administration records show 141,847 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2008,[2] 103,067 in 2009 and 111,699 in 2010.[3] The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a primary commercial service airport (more than 10,000 enplanements per year).[4]

History

Aviation has been linked to Kern County almost as long as the existence of the industry. In 1891 Charles Howard ascended in a hot air balloon to 1,000 feet (300 m). He then proceeded to jump and landed safely with a parachute he designed and constructed. By 1910, only seven years after the Wright Brothers first airplane flight, aircraft began arriving in the county. They were brought in by Glenn Curtiss (in conjunction with the Kern County Board of Trade). The first flight in the area was flown by Charles Hamilton.[5]

Terminal at Meadows Field

Bakersfield then had two airfields. The more prominent field was at Sacramento and Monterey streets in East Bakersfield (at the time, primarily empty fields). It was named Bernard Field and was run by the Pacific Aero Club. The field would be a stop for US Air Mail from 1923 to 1926 (when that was moved to Meadows Field). Another airfield was on the Panorama Bluffs in Northeast Bakersfield where Greenlawn Mortuary is today.[5]

With the development of commercial air service Bakersfield needed a purpose-built commercial airport. In 1926 the Kern County Chamber of Commerce constructed and operated a new airport called Kern County Airport No. 1. Originally at the intersection of U.S. Route 99 and Norris Road, the following year it was moved one mile east to its current location.[6][7] The original facility had one runway, one terminal building, and a few hangars and other aircraft-related buildings. In 1935 Kern County bought the airport from the Chamber of Commerce. It was the first county-owned airport in the nation.[7]

United States Army Air Force use

In September 1939 war broke out in Europe, prompting Congress to appropriate $40 million for Development of Landing Areas for National Defense (DLAND). Under DLAND, the secretaries of War, Commerce, and the Navy approved expenditures for airports. By 1941 the Army Air Corps had begun directing aid to Meadows Field for improvements to include operation of airport towers.

In late 1943 the United States Army Air Forces acquired usage rights to Meadows Field. It was placed under the jurisdiction of the IV Fighter Command. The 481st Night Fighter Operational Training Group (NFOTG) used the facility as part of the Army Air Forces Night Fighter School, which had transferred from Florida to Hammer Field, California. Meadows Field was used as an auxiliary training airfield and the school operated a combination of modified Douglas A-20 Havocs for night fighter operations, designated P-70, and brand-new prototype YP-61 Black Widow purpose-built night fighters.

Between May 1 and July 12, 1944, the 427th Night Fighter Squadron trained at Meadows Field; the 549th Night Fighter Squadron trained there between July and October 1944. In addition, flights of P-61s from the 426th, 547th, 548th and 550th Night Fighter squadrons moved in and out of Meadows Field during 1944 as part of their training prior to being deployed to combat units, primarily in the Pacific and CBI theaters.

In December 1944 the 481st NFOTG was inactivated as part of an AAF reorganization. Meadows Field was placed on standby status and the airport was only used for emergency purposes, being under the control of Hammer Field.

With the end of the war, the base was declared excess to requirements and returned to civil control.

Return to civil control and expansion

After the war Meadows Field would return to its role as a commercial airport. In the mid-1950s Kern County would modernize the airport. Land was purchased and new facilities were built; in 1957 a new terminal and control tower was built east of the runway. That year the county renamed the airport Meadows Field (by a board of minute order on August 6, 1957), after Cecil Meadows.[7] He was the county's Director of Airports from 1935–1957, except during World War II when he was a pilot in the armed forces. He was also responsible for the county purchasing the airport and modernization efforts.

Airport diagrams for 1955 and 1965

United Airlines served Meadows Field from 1946 until 1979–80 and again for three years starting around 1984; United flew Boeing 727-100s and 737-200s to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Southwest Airways and successors Pacific Air Lines and Hughes Airwest served the airport from 1956 until 1979 with Fairchild F-27s. In 1966 Pacific Air Lines flew new Boeing 727-100s from Bakersfield to various California cities. This was the airport's first jet service. Continental Airlines flew Boeing 737-200s to Denver-Stapleton during 1987–88. Continental also had Douglas DC-9-30s nonstop to Las Vegas continuing to Houston at one point. Continental Express operated by ExpressJet flew nonstop Embraer ERJ 145s to Houston from 2004 to 2007. Pacific Express served the airport with BAC One-Elevens nonstop to San Francisco and Santa Barbara. ExpressJet offered Sacramento and San Diego service from 2007–2008 using Embraer ERJ-145s. The last mainline flights were American Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80s to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, from 1984–1999. Earlier American MD-80s to Dallas/Ft. Worth made a stop in Santa Barbara. In the 1990s, American Airlines used a daily Boeing 757-200 from Bakersfield to Santa Ana, CA which would then continue to Chicago-O'Hare. American Eagle Airlines ended Saab 340s to Los Angeles in 2001. In 2008 Delta Connection and ExpressJet Airlines ended operations at the airport, and Mexicana ended its flights to Guadalajara. Allegiant Air began McDonnell Douglas MD-80 flights to Las Vegas in November 2010; these ended in July 2011. US Airways Express operated by Mesa Airlines (formerly America West Express), flew CRJ-900s to Las Vegas from 2000–2001 and 2005–2008. Frontier Airlines flew Airbus 319 began flights to Denver in May 2014; these ended in November 2014.

All current airline flights from Meadows Field are on subcontracted regional aircraft. Mesa Airlines flies Embraer 175s nonstop to Houston as United Express and Canadair CRJ-900s to Phoenix as American Eagle. SkyWest Airlines flies Canadair CRJ-200s to Denver and San Francisco as United Express and to Phoenix as American Eagle.

Deregulation and decline

The airport saw increased air service during the 1950s and 1960s. By 1975, annual emplanements would reach 97,000. The growth ended with airline deregulation in 1978. While other major cities saw a decrease of prices and increase in service, almost all air service was eliminated from Meadows Field in favor of other airports such as Los Angeles International Airport (about 120 miles (190 km) south). The City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern attempted to prevent a reduction in service by filing a joint lawsuit; however, the court sided with the federal government.[8] Annual emplanements fell 59%, from 147,866 in 1978 to 60,958 in 1981 (although the next year it would rebound to 90,000). Air service would eventually average 120,000 enplanements between 1980 and 2000.[9]

Service was expensive compared to nearby airports, and normally ran during inconvenient times. Service was also inconsistent, with airlines frequently starting and ending routes. During the same time period, the region also saw a large growth in population. While the City of Bakersfield grew 134%, and the County of Kern grew 64%, the airport did not see an increase in service to match.[9][10][11] Except for the lengthening of the main runway to accommodate wide-body jets in 1987, few improvements were done at Meadows Field during that period.

Rebirth and rise to international airport

In the early 2000s (decade), the county started an initiative to address the problems in air service. In 2002, it was estimated that about 400,000 people who lived in the service area of the airport chose to fly from a different location, 25% of those flew to destinations in Mexico.[12] Kern County started multiple projects to address the reluctance of airlines to use the airport. They included: installing centerline landing lights on the main runway, extending the second runway to 7,700 feet (the length most airplanes that use the airport would need), construction of a new terminal with jet bridges and inside baggage claim, and remodeling the existing terminal to accommodate international flights.[13] Most improvements were completed by 2006, with the international terminal completed in 2007.

Initial response was favorable. Four new airlines would start service at the airport, including international jet service to Mexico operated by Mexicana Airlines. This would also increase emplanements above the levels set in 1978.[14] However, high gas prices and the subsequent recession of 2008 would reduce service to 2002 levels, including the loss of the airport's international carrier. However, the US Customs house would remain open. In addition to serving international charter and unscheduled flights, it would process international cargo. Both the Tejon Industrial Complex (south of Bakersfield) and the International Trade and Transportation Center (in Shafter, west of Bakersfield) would lease warehouse space at the airport for use by their clients.[15]

Facilities

Meadows Field covers 1,357 acres (549 ha) at an elevation of 510 feet (155 m). It has two asphalt runways: 12L/30R is 10,855 by 150 feet (3,309 x 46 m) and 12R/30L is 7,703 by 100 feet (2,348 x 30 m).[1]

The main runway, 12L-30R, is the longest in the San Joaquin Valley. It is classified as a commercial D-IV runway, but can handle Boeing 747s. The other runway, 12R-30L, is a general aviation B-II runway. Although only 75 feet width is required for this classification, the runway is 25 feet wider to allow it to serve as an alternate runway for turboprop and small regional jet aircraft.[16]

In the year ending February 28, 2011 the airport had 131,102 aircraft operations, average 359 per day: 90% general aviation, 8% air taxi, 2% airline, and <1% military. 219 aircraft were then based at this airport: 94% single-engine, 4% multi-engine, and 2% helicopter.[1]

Terminals

William M. Thomas Terminal (Domestic)

William M. Thomas Terminal has four gates. Gates 2, 3, 5 and 6 (Gate 6 is on the lower-level). and houses American Eagle and United Express. It serves all domestic flights at the airport. The terminal also contains an Omni Goods gift shop and a Blimpie restaurant. Features of the terminal include a rotunda with compass point floor design and a scaled model of Spaceship One (which flew out of Mojave about 50 miles (80 km) east of Bakersfield). It is also constructed on a hill, which allows for all passenger services to be on the second level, while airport services are on the first. The terminal was constructed in 2006 at a cost of $33.8 million and designed by Odell Associates, Inc.[17]

Kern County Air Terminal (International)

Kern County Air Terminal has three open air gates, and is currently closed. The terminal was closed in 2008, when the only carrier, Mexicana, ended scheduled international flights. The adjacent US Customs house remains open, and processes both international charter flights and international cargo. If the terminal was opened, it would serve all international flights.

The terminal was built in 1957 and then served all domestic flights. In 2006, the terminal was served by America West Express, Continental Express, Delta Connection and United Express. That year, they would move to the new Domestic Terminal. The Kern County Air Terminal would undergo a $1 million renovation and an adjacent $7 million US Customs house would be constructed.[18] The number of gates would also be reduced from five to three. The terminal would reopen in 2007, and was initially occupied by Mexicana.

The terminal previously had an onsite motel, "Skyway Inn," and a restaurant, "Skyway Steakhouse". Both closed following the airport's downturn due to the loss of American Eagle shortly after 9/11, and were subsequently demolished prior to the opening of the William M. Thomas Terminal.

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled passenger services

Airlines Destinations Terminal
American Eagle Phoenix Domestic
United Express Denver, Houston-Intercontinental, San Francisco Domestic

Scheduled cargo services

Airlines Destinations
Ameriflight Ontario
FedEx Feeder operated by West Air Ontario

Top destinations

Busiest routes from BFL (August 2014 - July 2015)[19]
Rank Airport Passengers Carriers
1 Phoenix, Arizona (PHX) 45,600 US Airways
2 Houston-Intercontinental, Texas 34,390 United
3 Denver, Colorado 31,800 United
4 San Francisco, California 15,370 United
5 Los Angeles, California 470 N/A
Traffic by calendar year
Passengers
2002 192,027
2003 179,860
2004 236,560
2005 291,091
2006 345,149
2007 329,699
2008 285,951
2009 208,677
2010 213,001
2011 253,200
Source: Meadows Field [14]

Terminal connections

Although the International Terminal is currently closed (the US Customhouse remains open), when the terminal was open there was no airport transportation between it and the Domestic Terminal. There is also no road connection or pedestrian access between the two terminals. For passengers to transfer (from the international terminal to the domestic terminal), they would leave the airport and turn left on Airport Drive. They would then turn left on Merle Haggard Drive. Passengers would then re-enter the airport at Wings Way, a distance of approximately 2.5 miles (4.0 km). There is a long term plan to extend Wings Way through the airport, which would provide a more direct connection, but there is no date for construction.[20]

Ground transportation

Road

The airport is located at the intersection of Merle Haggard Drive and Airport Drive, in Oildale (also called North Bakersfield). Access to the Domestic Terminal is from Merle Haggard Drive while access to the International Terminal is from Airport Drive. The primary signed route to the airport is via SR 99 (Golden State Freeway). Drivers traveling north exit at Porterville Highway (SR 65) while drivers traveling south exit at 7th Standard Road/Merle Haggard Drive. In both cases, drivers then turn east on Merle Haggard Drive, which leads to the airport. There is an alternate signed route via Golden State Highway (SR 204 Freeway). Drivers exit at Airport Drive, and travel north to the airport.

The Domestic Terminal provides fee parking for both short term, and long term parking. People can also park for free in the short term parking for a limited amount of time.[21] The International Terminal provides free parking for both short term, and long term parking.

Public transportation

Public transportation to the airport is provided exclusively by Golden Empire Transit (GET). Travel to/from the International Terminal is provided by Route 3 (Downtown), which runs between the Downtown Transit Center and North Bakersfield. The bus will only stop at the terminal when requested. There are no scheduled bus routes to the Domestic Terminal. Special express service is provided between the terminal and the Downtown Transit Center, if requested 24 hours in advance.[22]

Rental car/taxi

Rental cars are only available at the Domestic Terminal. Currently four companies are located at the airport.[21] Rental car counter space is on the east side of the terminal, with the car lots directly outside the east exit.

Taxi stands are located outside the north entrance to the terminal, across the street. Taxis are typically available when flights are arriving at the airport. Meadows Field also list two taxi companies on their website, which provide 24-hour pickup, if no taxis are available.[21]

Future

Kern County has planned several improvements to the airport over the next 20 years, based on future demand.

Passenger

The domestic terminal allows future expansion. It has three sky bridges; two can be added without more construction. The gate area can then be extended toward the runway for seven more gates; after that, a new concourse on the west side of the terminal could have 12 more gates, for a total of 24.[23]

Other facilities are planned to expand with these future changes to the terminal. The parking lot will grow both east and west, and the rental car parking lots will be consolidated east of the terminal. Wings Way, the access road to the airport, will be extended to Airport Drive and will connect to Day Avenue.[24]

Cargo

Cargo operations are now in a small facility east of the international terminal. A new, expanded cargo facility is planned west of Merle Haggard Drive, north of the runway; ultimate build out will contain 12 sortation buildings, 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2) each. A road will connect them to trucking/warehouse/distribution facilities west of the airport. That road will end at Porterville Highway (SR 65) and Merle Haggard Drive (at Wings Way). Other aviation-related structures are planned in the area.[24]

There is a long term plan to build a third parallel runway. Designated 13–31, it will be north of the cargo facilities and Merle Haggard Drive. The runway is planned to be 8,000 feet (2,400 m) long and 150 feet (46 m) wide, spaced to allow simultaneous Instrument Flight Rule (IFR).[25]

See also

Gallery

  • Waiting-area/Lobby at BFL, with a full-scale replica of Space Ship One above and the Baggage Claim in the distance

  • Ticket counters at Meadows Field

  • Entrance sign of the William M. Thomas Terminal at Meadows Field-BFL

  • Exterior shot of the domestic terminal

Notes


References

Inline citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 FAA Airport Master Record for BFL (Form 5010 PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Effective May 31, 2012.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Brewer, Chris. Historic Kern County. Historic Publishing Network: San Antonio, Texas. 2001. ISBN 1-893619-14-1. Pages: 70–71.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Darling, Curtis. Kern County Place Names. Kern County Historical Society. 2003. ISBN 0-943500-18-4. Page: 89.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  12. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ Weiser, Matt. New Bakersfield Terminal Set to Take Flight. The Bakersfield Californian. June 28, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  18. ↑ Burger, James.Did the County Waste Millions on International Terminal. The Bakersfield Californian. April 29, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2011.
  19. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  20. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  22. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  23. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  25. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

Other sources

  • Meadows Field, official site
  •  This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
  • Maurer, Maurer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5
  • Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites History's Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004.

External links


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