Montgomery County Airpark

Montgomery County Airpark (IATA: GAI, ICAO: KGAI, FAA LID: GAI) is a U.S. public airport located three miles (5 km) northeast of the city of Gaithersburg, in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Montgomery County Airpark
The Montgomery County Airpark in 2006
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerMontgomery County Revenue Authority
LocationGaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.
Elevation AMSL539 ft / 164.3 m
Coordinates39°10′06″N 77°09′57.6″W
Map
GAI
Location of airport in Maryland / United States
GAI
GAI (the United States)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
14/32 4,202 1,281 Asphalt

History

1960s

The airport was built by developer William E. Richardson in 1960.[1] Richardson deeded title to the land to Montgomery County, which leased the land back to Richardson to operate the airport.[1] Richardson planned to operate charter flights and an air taxi to National Airport, Baltimore's Friendship Airport, and the soon-to-be-opened Dulles Airport.[1] The airport was dedicated on October 22, 1960.[2] After having a simple hangar during its first four years of operation, a terminal building was built in 1964.[3]

2000s

On July 20, 2001, one of the hijackers in the future September 11 attacks, Hani Hanjour, flew to the Montgomery County Airpark from Fairfield, New Jersey on a practice flight with fellow hijacker Nawaf Alhazmi.[4][5]

Facilities

Runways

Montgomery County Airpark covers 125 acres (51 ha) and has one runway.

  • Runway 14/32: 4,202 x 75 ft. (1,281 x 23 m), Surface: Asphalt. (32 - right traffic)
  • WAAS/GPS/RNAV MDA 262 agl
  • VOR 155 degree from FDK 109.0 MDA 600 agl

On-field services
  • DC Metro Aviation Services
    • Full-service FBO - 100LL JetA
    • Hangar-tiedown rental
  • Charter Operators
    • Open Air Charters - Part 135
  • Flight Schools
    • Fleming Aviation
    • Washington International Flight Academy (WIFA)
  • Aircraft Sales
    • Fleming Aviation
    • Trebor Aviation
  • Designated Pilot Examiner
    • Bob Gawler
  • Food & Beverage
    • Airport Cafe

Flying clubs
  • Congressional Flying Club[6]
  • Octopus Flying Club
  • Inn Flying Club
  • TSS Flying Club[7]
    • TSS Flying Club was formed in 1957 and remains one of the largest flying clubs in the Washington-Baltimore Region today. TSS has 65 members and 5 well equipped aircraft including two Cessna 172 180hp, Cessna 182S, Cessna 182RG, and a Vans RV12 certified light sport aircraft with glass cockpit.

References
  1. "New Private Airport Scans the Sky, Optimistic About Boom in Flying". The Washington Post. July 25, 1960. p. 25. ProQuest 141208605.
  2. "$750,000 Airport Dedicated Northeast of Gaithersburg". The Washington Post. October 23, 1960. p. D21. ProQuest 141157629.
  3. "250 Attend Montgomery Airpark Fete". The Washington Post. September 24, 1964. p. E18. ProQuest 142147783.
  4. "Complete 911 Timeline: Hani Hanjour". History Commons. Archived from the original on 2017-08-30.CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (PDF). 2004. p. 242. Retrieved October 1, 2017.
  6. Patrol, Congressional Flying Club / Montgomery Senior Squadron, Civil Air. "Congressional Flying Club / Montgomery Senior Squadron, Civil Air Patrol > Home". www.cfcmss.org.
  7. "TSS Flying Club - Fun, Affordable Flying Club in the Washington DC Area". www.tssflyingclub.org.

Further reading
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