Airport type Military Elevation AMSL 199 ft / 61 m 5,400 1,646 Code NRA | Operator US Navy 14/32 5,400 Address Coupeville, WA 98239, USA Elevation 61 m | |
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Location Island County, near Coupeville, Washington Similar Ebey's Landing National, Fort Ebey State Park, Countrysi Inn, Blue Goose Inn Bed and, Coupeville | ||
Naval Outlying Field Coupeville (ICAO: KNRA, FAA LID: NRA) is a military airport located two miles (3 km) southeast of Coupeville, Washington, in Island County. It is owned by the United States Navy. NOLF Coupeville nearly touches State Route 20 and is about 10 miles south of NAS Whidbey Island.
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History and usage
NOLF Coupeville, also known as OLF Coupeville, was commissioned for use by the US Navy in 1943 and currently supports day and night Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) operations by the US Navy EA-18G Growler and EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft based out of NAS Whidbey Island. Such operations allow Naval Aviators and crew to fly in patterns as well as practice touch-and-go landings, simulating carrier landings and take offs. During these practice runs, jet aircraft approach the runway and touch down, immediately taking off again and looping around the field to prepare for another landing and take off. Each aircraft makes multiple touch-and-go landings during these training events. While performing the touch and go maneuvers, the practicing aircraft fly at appropriate altitudes and speeds in addition to flying at or near sea level. OLF Coupeville is seen by the Navy as an ideal airfield for this type of carrier training due to its remote location and low ambient lighting, allowing pilots and crew to have the optimum experience for replication of landing aboard an aircraft carrier.
Environmental concerns
While jet noise had been an on and off concern to residents living near the NOLF, a local citizen's group filed a lawsuit in July 2014 demanding an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) examining EA-18G Growler flight operations at NOLF Coupeville and NAS Whidbey Island. The Navy initiated an ongoing EIS to "evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with ongoing and future Growler operations at NAS Whidbey Island’s Ault Field and Outlying Landing Field (OLF) Coupeville." The citizen's group has placed the litigation on hold until the study is completed.