Kiewit Airfield

Kiewit Airfield (ICAO: EBZH) is a recreational airfield located near Hasselt, Limburg, Belgium. It has a single grass runway of 600 m length. It is operated by Aeroclub Kiewit. There is mixed activity of airplanes and gliders.[2]

Kiewit Airfield
Summary
Airport typePrivate
OperatorAeroclub Kiewit
ServesHasselt
LocationBelgium
OpenedMay 15, 1910 (1910-05-15)[1]
Elevation AMSL133 ft / 41 m
Coordinates50°58′12″N 005°22′30″E
Websitehttp://www.aero-kiewit.be
Map
EBZH
Location in Belgium
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
09/27 600 1,969 Grass
Sources: Belgian AIP[2]

It is also home to gliding club Albatros.[3]

History

The field was first identified as a good location for aviation activities by Alfred Lanser in 1909. At the time, it was 8 km long and 3 km wide.[1]

After Aero Club Liège Spa signed a deal with the owner of the field, it was inaugurated on May 15, 1910. It became the first public airport in Belgium.[4] Later that year it was subrented to the ministry of War which used it for training, making it the first military airfield in Belgium.[1]

After World War I, the field was used for artillery shooting exercises. Aviation activities resumed in 1933, led by the newly formed Limburg Aviation Club.[1]

During World War II the field was used as a decoy airfield by German occupiers. After the war, there were several attempts to restart flying activities. In 1969, flying club Aero-Kiewit was founded and flying activities gradually resumed.[5] In 1973 they were joined by the glider club Albatros.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Kiewit - vliegveld" [Kiewit - airfield]. luchtvaartgeschiedenis.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  2. AIP for EBZH – Kiewit Airfield from Skeyes
  3. "Zweefvliegclub Albatros". zweefvliegen-hasselt.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  4. "100 ans au service de l'aviation civile - Les aéroports belges" [100 years of civil aviation service - The Belgian airports]. mobilit.belgium.be (in French). Retrieved 2020-08-09.
  5. "Aero Kiewit Geschiedenis" [Aero Kiewit History]. aero-kiewit.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-08-07.
  6. "Albatros Historiek" [Albatros History]. zweefvliegen-hasselt.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 2020-08-07.
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