Airport type Public Serves Pine Bluff, Arkansas 18/36 5,998 Elevation 63 m | Owner City of Pine Bluff Elevation AMSL 206 ft / 63 m 5,998 1,828 Code PBF | |
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Grider Field (IATA: PBF, ICAO: KPBF, FAA LID: PBF) is a city-owned, public-use airport located four nautical miles (7 km) southeast of the central business district of Pine Bluff, a city in Jefferson County, Arkansas, United States. According to the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2009–2013, it is categorized as a general aviation airport.
Contents
Facilities and aircraft
Grider Field covers an area of 750 acres (300 ha) at an elevation of 206 feet (63 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 18/36 with an asphalt surface measuring 5,998 by 150 feet (1,828 x 46 m).
For the 12-month period ending May 31, 2009, the airport had 39,875 aircraft operations, an average of 109 per day: 94% general aviation, 5% military and 1% air taxi. At that time there were 50 aircraft based at this airport: 84% single-engine, 12% multi-engine and 4% ultralight.
History
Opened in April 1941 with 6,300' x 6,380' open turf field. Began training United States Army Air Corps flying cadets in under contract to Pine Bluff School of Aviation. Assigned to United States Army Air Forces Gulf Coast Training Center (later Central Flying Training Command) as a primary (level 1) pilot training airfield. Had five auxiliary airfields assigned for emergency and overflow landings. Flying training was performed with Fairchild PT-19s as the primary trainer. Also had several PT-17 Stearmans and a few P-40 Warhawks assigned. Also provided flexible gunnery training.
Inactivated on 30 November 1944 with the drawdown of AAFTC's pilot training program. Declared surplus and turned over to the Army Corps of Engineers on 30 September 1945. Eventually discharged to the War Assets Administration (WAA) and returned to being a civil airport.
Renovations
In November 2007, it was announced that Grider Field will undergo an extensive renovation, and modernization project. Also, a new partnership with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has been announced.