"BED" redirects here. For other uses, see Bed (disambiguation).
For the U.S. Air Force use of this facility, see Hanscom Air Force Base.
Laurence G. Hanscom Field
Hanscom Air Force Base |
|
| USGS 1995 orthophoto |
| IATA: BED – ICAO: KBED – FAA LID: BED |
| Summary |
| Airport type |
Public / Military |
| Operator |
Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) |
| Location |
Bedford, Massachusetts |
| Elevation AMSL |
132 ft / 40 m |
| Coordinates |
42°28′12″N 071°17′20″W / 42.47°N 71.28889°W / 42.47; -71.28889Coordinates: 42°28′12″N 071°17′20″W / 42.47°N 71.28889°W / 42.47; -71.28889 |
| Website |
www.hanscomfield.com |
| Map |
|
Location of airport in Massachusetts |
| Runways |
| Direction |
Length |
Surface |
| ft |
m |
| 5/23 |
5,107 |
1,557 |
Asphalt |
| 11/29 |
7,011 |
2,137 |
Asphalt |
| Statistics (2010) |
| Aircraft operations |
163,421 |
| Based aircraft |
282 |
| Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1] |
Hanscom Field (IATA: BED, ICAO: KBED, FAA LID: BED), also known by its full name Laurence G. Hanscom Field, is a public use airport operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority and located in Bedford, a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States.[1]
Hanscom is primarily a general aviation facility, the largest in New England. Both of the airport's two runways can accommodate jet aircraft, and are also used by Hanscom Air Force Base, a defense-research facility located directly adjacent to Hanscom Field. It is a popular training airport, with more than 40 rental aircraft on the field. The Civil Air Terminal building hosts one current airline and 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.
As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 8,385 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2008,[2] 7,350 enplanements in 2009, and 7,952 in 2010.[3] It is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a non-primary commercial service airport (between 2,500 and 10,000 enplanements per year).[4]
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 commercial airport), Hanscom has emerged as one of the most important airports serving the region's business and general aviation needs.
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.
The Massachusetts Air and Space Museum is looking at Hanscom Field as a future location.[5]
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Contents
- 1 Facilities and aircraft
- 2 Flight schools
- 2.1 Executive Flyers Aviation
- 2.2 East Coast Aero Club
- 2.3 Commercial service
- 2.4 Sports charters
- 3 Ground transportation
- 4 Notable events at Hanscom Field
- 4.1 Movies/Scenes filmed at Hanscom Field
- 5 References
- 6 External links
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Facilities and aircraft
Hanscom Field covers an area of 1,125 acres (455 ha) at an elevation of 132 feet (40 m) above mean sea level. It has two asphalt paved runways: 11/29 is 7,011 by 150 feet (2,137 x 46 m) and 5/23 is 5,107 by 150 feet (1,557 x 46 m).[1]
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2010, the airport had 163,421 aircraft operations, an average of 447 per day: 88% general aviation, 11% air taxi, 1% military, and <1% scheduled commercial. At that time there were 282 aircraft based at this airport: 70% single-engine, 7% multi-engine, 20% jet, and 4% helicopter.[1]
In 2008, and many years prior, Hanscom has handled the second most aircraft movements of any airport in New England (Boston-Logan is number one). When there is a nice day on a weekend the traffic pattern gets so busy the tower is sometimes known to close the traffic pattern and only allow full stop landings.
Hanscom's traffic is primarily business jets and general aviation aircraft.
Flight schools
Executive Flyers Aviation
New England's oldest and largest flight school based at Hanscom along with their new facility at Lawrence Airport. EFA has been around since 1964 and has been recognized as a Cessna pilot center due to their large fleet of Cessna aircraft and their exceptional maintenance and safety. EFA offers training for Private pilot-ATP.
Executive Flyers has a fleet of: 4 Cessna 172 classics, 4 Cessna 172SP's, 2 Cessna 172SP G-1000's, 1 Cessna 182, 1 Decathlon, 1 Extra 300, 1 Beech Duchess, and 1 Piper Arrow. EFA retired aircraft: Cessna Millennium Skyhawk, Cessna 152, Piper warrior, and the Piper Seminole.
East Coast Aero Club
Hanscom's flight school that offers ratings up to ATP. ECAC also offers helicopter training in two Robinson R44 helicopters. ECAC has been recognized as a CTC (Cirrus training center). ECAC is based at KBED, KASH and KOWD.
ECAC has a fleet of: Piper Tomahawks; Cessna 172M; Piper Warrior II; Piper Warrior III (Garmin Equipped); Cessna 172 (G1000); Piper Arrow; Piper Arrow (New Model); Cessna 182T (Garmin Equipped); Cirrus SR20; Piper Seminole (Multi-Engine); Cirrus SR22; Robinson R44 (Helicopter);[6] Piaggio, Avanti; Bombardier: Global Express, Challenger; Socata: TBM-850/700; Pilatus: PC-12; American Champion: Super Decathlon; Extra: 300.
Commercial service
From 1999 until 2003, Shuttle America, a Connecticut-based regional airline operating for US Airways Express, operated scheduled service from the airfield, carrying more than 10,000 passengers each month to airports in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania using De Havilland Dash 8 and Saab 340 aircraft. Soon after US Airways Express pulled out, Pan Am Clipper Connection began servicing the airport using Jetstream 31 aircraft. Clipper flights connected Hanscom Field with Pease Airport in Portsmouth, NH and Trenton-Mercer Airport in NJ.
In its final years, Clipper would add flights to Ithaca Airport in Western NY from Hanscom. Even with this new route, however, Clipper could never draw the numbers it needed to remain profitable. The Airline was forced to cease operation in 2008 by the FAA for lack of funding and management. This left Hanscom Field without scheduled airline service for the first time in a decade. While there is still some community opposition, Hanscom has shown its usefulness as a gateway for Boston-area travelers. This has since attracted the new Trenton-based airline Streamline to start its first public charter route to Hanscom using 30 seat Embraer 120 Brasília aircraft, beginning with two daily round trips on weekdays.
In 2012, http://iflystreamline.com/ started service between Hanscom and Trenton-Mercer/Princeton (TTN) (Close to Philadelphia, PA). Streamline ceased operations as of 15 September 2012.
Sports charters
As an airport close to Boston, many teams competing in the Boston area use Hanscom Field. Exceptions include the New England Patriots, who use Rhode Island's T.F. Green Airport, and the Boston Red Sox, who typically use Boston's Logan Airport. The following airlines visit Hanscom regularly to transport these Boston teams:
- Delta Air Lines - Boston College (B752)
- Swift Air - Boston Celtics (B734)
- USA Jet - Boston Bruins, Boston University (MD-83)
Ground transportation
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 in Cambridge.
Notable events at Hanscom Field
On August 8, 1962, a US Air Force KC-135 tanker crashed on approach to Hanscom Field's runway 11, destroying the aircraft and killing all three members of the flight crew.
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 before and after making speeches in Lexington, Massachusetts and Concord, Massachusetts to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
In February 2006, NBA player Sebastian Telfair was questioned after a handgun registered to his girlfriend was found in his pillowcase aboard the Portland Trail Blazers team plane.[7]
In 2006, Neil Entwistle was flown from London to Hanscom by U.S. Marshals to face murder charges.[8]
In December 2006, pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka held negotiations with the Boston Red Sox on board a private jet owned by John Henry. The plane was seen landing at Hanscom by news channels from all over Boston as well as some Japanese news outlets.
On August 29, 2009, the body of the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy was flown from Hanscom Field to Andrews AFB for burial at Arlington Cemetery.
Movies/Scenes filmed at Hanscom Field
- What's The Worst That Could Happen? (2001)
- The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) [9]
- Edge of Darkness (2010)
References
- ^ a b c d FAA Airport Master Record for BED (Form 5010 PDF). Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 5, 2012.
- ^ "Enplanements for CY 2008" (PDF, 1.0 MB). CY 2008 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data. Federal Aviation Administration. December 18, 2009. http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy08_all_enplanements.pdf.
- ^ "Enplanements for CY 2010" (PDF, 5.4 MB). CY 2010 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2011. http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy10_all_enplanements.pdf.
- ^ "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF, 2.03 MB). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010. http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/2011/npias_2011_appA.pdf.
- ^ Massachusetts Air and Space Museum News
- ^ "ECAC Bedford, MA (KBED) Aircraft Fleet". East Coast Aero Club. http://eastcoastaeroclub.com/locations/bedford-ma-bed/aircraft/. Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- ^ Ulman, Howard (April 24, 2007). "Celtics Severing Ties With Telfair". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/24/AR2007042401347.html.
- ^ http://wbztv.com/topstories/Neil.Entwistle.Hopkinton.2.576573.html
- ^ Tracked Down: - BostonHerald.com
External links
- Massport: Hanscom Field
- Aerial image as of March 1995 from USGS The National Map
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective 18 Oct 2012
- FAA Terminal Procedures for BED, effective 18 Oct 2012
- Resources for this airport:
- AirNav airport information for KBED
- ASN accident history for BED
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS latest weather observations
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for KBED
- FAA current BED delay information
