Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport

Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport[1][2] (IATA: BAF[3], ICAO: KBAF, FAA LID: BAF) is a joint civil-military airport in Hampden County, Massachusetts,[1] three miles (6 km) north of Westfield[1] and northwest of Springfield. It was formerly Barnes Municipal Airport;[4] the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a general aviation facility.[5] Westfield-Barnes is one of Massachusetts' largest airports with a strong flight training, general aviation, and military presence. It is also known as Barnes Air National Guard Base.[6]

Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport

(formerly Barnes Municipal Airport)
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of Westfield
ServesWestfield / Springfield, Massachusetts
Elevation AMSL270 ft / 82 m
Coordinates42°09′29″N 072°42′57″W
Websitewww.BarnesAirport.com
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
2/20 9,000 2,743 Asphalt
15/33 5,000 1,524 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Aircraft operations (year ending 3/31/2022)47,815
Based aircraft124
Source: FAA[1] and airport website[2]

History

Camp Bartlett was a summer training facility of the Massachusetts Army National Guard in Westfield, Massachusetts from 1905 to around 1918. It later became a mobilization camp for the 26th Division for World War I.

July 13, 1914 can be the date upon which aviation came to Westfield. Jack McGee of Pawtucket, Rhode Island flew a Wright biplane over Westfield and the flight originated on a strip of land near Southampton Road and the Holyoke Rail Bridge. McGee was hired by local merchants to drop tickets from his airplane which could have been claimed for prizes.

After the United States entered World War I the expansive plain was heavily used by the federal government in August–September 1917 as Camp Bartlett, a mobilization and training camp for the 103rd and 104th Infantry Regiments of the 26th "Yankee" Division, prior to deployment in France.[7]

In 1923 citizens of Westfield, and nearby Holyoke set out to build an airport. A group of influential local businessmen was charged to convince the owner of the land where the airport is now, Vincent E. Barnes, to sell his land to the City of Westfield for an airport. Barnes agreed to donate his land. The 27-acre (110,000 m2) plot was named Westfield Aviation Field and was dedicated on October 12, 1923. As the field gained in popularity, Vincent Barnes leased the city another 27-acre (110,000 m2) plot, with a fee of $1 per year starting in 1927.[8] In 1936 Mrs. Barnes and her daughter Saddie Knox donated an additional 297 acres (1.2 km2) to the city of Westfield; shortly thereafter, the City Council voted to name the airport after the family that made it possible.

In 1939-40 the administration building, hangar, and the beacon light were built with grant money totaling near $90,000. Soon a passenger service started: on October 28, 1937, a 10-passenger tri-motor Stinson began weekly flights between Westfield and Newark, New Jersey. American Airlines DC-3s operated out of Westfield 1938 to 1950 and Mohawk DC-3s 1953 to 1959. The January 1951 chart shows 4970-ft runway 2, 3970-ft runway 9, and 5000-ft runway 15; same nine years later except runway 2 was 7000 ft.

In the last 50 years the airport has expanded to 1,200 acres and added a VORTAC and an ILS. In 1974 the Air Traffic Control Tower opened.

A $7.6 million construction project started in April 2020 to rebuild runway 15–33. The last reconstruction of this runway was completed in 1970's.[9]

As of 2020 the Massachusetts Air National Guard base is the home of the 104th Fighter Wing.[10]

Facilities

The airport covers 1,200 acres (5 km2) at an elevation of 270 feet (82 m). It has two asphalt runways: 2/20 is 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 × 46 m) and 15/33 is 5,000 by 100 feet (1,524 × 30 m).[1]

The airport recently opened a new administration and terminal, replacing a terminal that housed the original control tower. It is also the site of a major Massachusetts Air National Guard fighter jet wing and support installation.

Aircraft

In the year ending March 31, 2022, the airport had 47,815 aircraft operations, average 131 per day: 85% general aviation, 12% military, 2% air taxi, and <1% commercial.[1]

124 aircraft were then based at the airport: 86 single-engine, 6 multi-engine, 4 jet, 1 helicopter, 26 military, and 1 ultralight.[1]

Occasionally the airport will service charter flights for the University of Massachusetts Amherst sports teams such as by Sun Country Airlines using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.[11]

Fixed-base operator and Maintenance Facilities

Barnes Regional Airport has one fixed-base operator (FBOs) and one G A Maintenance Facility.

Rectrix Aviation is the newest FBO, operating in the new terminal building which includes a conference room, weather facilities, and comprehensive pilot services. They sell Shell fuel and provide typical FBO services. In late 2015, Rectrix bought out Five Star Jet Center, a former competitor and previously longest standing FBO on the field. Rectrix is now the sole FBO at Barnes.

Aero Design Concepts / Aero Design Aircraft Services is a maintenance facility offering maintenance and repair services, including interiors and upholstery to all G A aircraft. Established in 1984, Aero Design is the sole G A maintenance facility on the airport. Aero Design also offers daily and extended tie downs on its ramp. Aero Design is located at the intersections of taxiways Alfa and Bravo, right below the Tower.

Flight schools

Barnes Regional Airport has three FAA-approved flight schools.

The largest program is an official part 141 flight school named Westfield Flight Academy. The flight school offers instruction in four Cessna 172s, a Cessna 172 Cutlass RG, two Piper Cherokees, and a Piper Seneca. It is run by a current JetBlue Airways pilot and a Springfield attorney.

In addition, AD-UP Aviation operates a part 61 flight school out of the new terminal building. The school is run by a Master Certified Flight instructor, one of fewer than a dozen in Massachusetts. Instruction is given in high-wing, tail-dragger, and spin training.

Restaurant and bar

The former Flight Deck restaurant was replaced with The Runway Restaurant and Lounge when the new terminal opened. The Runway was operated by the owner of the now-closed B'Sharas Restaurant[12] of West Springfield. It featured a full menu and bar. The Runway, like most of the terminal, was open to the public.

The Runway restaurant closed in early 2015 and became occupied by Papps Bar. Papp’s closed after approximately 2 years in operation and became Sok’s which offered high end cocktails and Asian Fusion type fair. Sok’s closed after another 18-24 months. Since early 2020, the restaurant portion has been taken over by a pair of partners, one being the head chef, and is called Tobiko, which translates to “Flying Fish”. They offer an extensive sushi and sashimi menu, as well as true ramen, and many other house made Asian fare. They have also utilities deck and open bar space for a first hand view of the tarmac and the surrounding scenery, the boisterous dual Pratt and Whitney afterburners of the F-15 are almost part of the allure if the 104th scrambles or is involved in training.

See also

References
  1. FAA Airport Form 5010 for BAF PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective September 7, 2023.
  2. Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport. Official site. Accessed June 5, 2013.
  3. "Airline and Airport Code Search (BAF: Westfield / Barnes)". International Air Transport Association (IATA). Retrieved June 5, 2013.
  4. "KBAF – Barnes Municipal Airport". FAA data republished by AirNav. September 20, 2012. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012.
  5. "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF, 2.03 MB). Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010.
  6. Barnes ANGB at GoANG.com
  7. Albertine, Connell, The Yankee Doughboy, The Branden Press, Inc., 1968, pp. 19-24.
  8. Airway Bulletin no. 201-400 1927-28. U.S. Govt. Printing Office.
  9. Mirabelli, Manon L. (April 20, 2020). "Barnes Regional Airport's $7.6M runway rebuild eyes September completion". Retrieved April 27, 2020.
  10. 104th Fighter Wing official website
  11. Fligthtaware.com November 26, 2021
  12. "B'Shara's Homestyle Restaurant, Deli and Catering Service". B'Shara's DEli and restaurant b'shara's catering.
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