We usually cover specific events at the airport, usually related to aircraft or airline events, but sometimes to milestones at the airport itself.
We’ll try something new – analyze airports you may not know about, as well as airports with interesting history or attributes.
First up is Virginia Tech/Montgomery Executive Airport in Blacksburg, Virginia (BCB).
Why choose an airport that most average geeks have never heard of, is off the beaten track, and doesn’t even have commercial services? Because of all these things. We love learning, and places like this are often filled with fascinating information and historical tidbits.
Last month we had the opportunity to visit and tour the BCB with Airport Executive Director Keith Holt.
The airport currently has a 5,501-foot-long jet runway, but that wasn’t always the case.
Virginia Tech has been in existence since 1872. The airport was established in 1929 on land owned by the university, approximately 1.5 miles from campus. Before that, pilots either used nearby farmland or the athletic fields on campus (those older biplanes didn’t need long runways).
The airport was officially opened in 1931. As World War II approached, the airport was designated as a civilian pilot training program facility and an aircraft mechanic training facility, all to aid the war effort.
Heavy use of trainer aircraft destroyed the grass runway, so a 2,850-foot-long paved runway was installed in 1941, designated 08-26. Over time, it was discovered that the runway was not aligned with prevailing winds, so Runway 12-30, then 4,200 feet long, was built in 1966; runway lighting was installed the following year. The original runway (08-26) was closed in 1985 and converted into an aircraft apron.
Since then, the airport has been further expanded with a longer runway, the addition of locators, DME, GPS instrument approach and landing equipment, an automated AWOS weather system and updated lighting.
We asked Airport Executive Director Keith Holt to describe the airport’s uniqueness and usefulness to the area: “BCB is an in-town destination. We are incorporated within the town limits and our property lines Directly bordering Virginia Tech’s campus, our central location is convenient not only for university visitors, but also for businesses and companies doing business in Blacksburg, Christiansburg, and greater Montgomery County. ”
Holt said the airport has 42 aircraft and operates 21,900 flights annually. “The most common aircraft are business jets, charters and light general aviation,” he said. “Being an airport so close to a major university, sporting events and university graduations become a big event at the airport. At a recent football game we had 59 players come to watch,” he said.
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