Airport type Public 17/35 5,599 Elevation 423 m Phone +1 325-643-1482 | Owner City of Brownwood Elevation AMSL 1,387 ft / 423 m 5,599 1,707 Code BWD | |
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Address 6251 Airport Rd, Brownwood, TX 76802, USA Similar Brownwo Regional Medical, Brownwo Regional Airport, Coggin Avenue Medical P, Cross Timbers Health Cli, Action Sports Medicine | ||
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Brownwood Regional Airport (IATA: BWD, ICAO: KBWD, FAA LID: BWD) is six miles north of Brownwood, in Brown County, Texas. The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 categorized it as a general aviation facility. The 21st Cavalry Brigade of the III Corps, U.S. Army use the airport for training in Apache and Blackhawk helicopters.
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The airport has been served by airlines in the past. Service was subsidized by the Essential Air Service program until March 13, 2005, when it ended due to federal law not allowing a subsidy over $200 per passenger for communities within 210 miles of the nearest large or medium hub airport (Brownwood is 145 miles from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, a medium hub.) Federal Aviation Administration records say Brownwood Regional Airport had 1,764 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2003, 1,417 in 2004 and 232 in 2005.
History
The airport opened during World War II as Brownwood Army Airfield and was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a training base.
The 68th and 77th Reconnaissance Groups trained at Brownwood during 1942 with a variety of aircraft, including B-17 Flying Fortress, B-24 Liberators, P-40 Warhawks and A-20 Havocs. In addition to the training performed at the airfield, patrols were flown over the Gulf of Mexico and along the Mexican border. The role of the Brownwood Army Airfield from November, 1943, to September, 1944 was to operate as a refresher school and replacement training unit for liaison pilots within the Third Air Force. One of the primary aircraft used in this role was the Stinson L-5. In October, 1944, the airfield became the new combat crew training center. From January, 1945, until the end of World War II, the primary mission of the Brownwood Army Airfield was the training and preparation of combat crews for overseas replacement.
The U.S. Government deeded the airport to the City of Brownwood after World War II. An F-4 Phantom and an F-111 are on display.
Trans-Texas/Texas International stopped at BWD until 1976-77.
Facilities
The airport covers 1,497 acres (606 ha) at an elevation of 1,387 feet (423 m). It has two asphalt runways: 17/35 is 5,599 by 150 feet (1,707 x 46 m) and 13/31 is 4,608 by 101 feet (1,405 x 31 m).
In the year ending February 6, 2012 the airport had 6,000 aircraft operations, average 16 per day: 83% general aviation, 12% air taxi, and 5% military. 44 aircraft were then based at the airport: 82% single-engine, 16% multi-engine, and 2% helicopter.