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Coordinates: 47°40′59″N 117°19′21″W / 47.68306°N 117.32250°W / 47.68306; -117.32250
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{{Short description|Airport near Spokane, Washington}}
{{redirect|KSFF|the radio station formerly called KSFF|KMRV}}
{{redirect|KSFF|the radio station formerly called KSFF|KMRV}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox airport
{{Infobox airport
| name = Felts Field
| name = Felts Field
| image = Felts Field.jpg
| image = Felts Field.jpg
| caption = Felts Field looking west
| image-width = 240
| caption = From east in 2011, approaching<!-- runway--> 21R (now 22R)
| FAA = SFF
| FAA = SFF
| IATA = SFF
| IATA = SFF
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| elevation-f = 1,957
| elevation-f = 1,957
| coordinates = {{coord|47|40|59|N|117|19|21|W|region:US-WA_type:airport_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|47|40|59|N|117|19|21|W|region:US-WA_type:airport_scale:10000|display=inline,title}}
| website = {{URL|http://www.feltsfield.com/}}
| website = {{URL|https://feltsfield.spokaneairports.net/}}
| pushpin_map = USA Washington#USA
| pushpin_map = USA Washington#USA
| pushpin_mapsize = 240
| pushpin_map_alt =
⚫
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Washington (state)|Washington]]##Location in the United States
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_relief = yes
⚫
| pushpin_map_caption = Location of airport in Washington / United States
| pushpin_label = '''SFF'''
| pushpin_label = '''SFF'''
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_label_position = left
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| footnotes = Source: [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=SFF|use=PU|own=PU|site=26417.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. effective July 20, 2017.</ref>
| footnotes = Source: [[Federal Aviation Administration]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=SFF|use=PU|own=PU|site=26417.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. effective July 20, 2017.</ref>
}}
}}
'''Felts Field''' {{airport codes|SFF|KSFF|SFF}} is a public [[airport]] five miles northeast of downtown [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]], in [[Spokane County, Washington]]. It is owned by Spokane City-County.<ref name="FAA" />
'''Felts Field''' {{airport codes|SFF|KSFF|SFF}} is a public airport in the [[Northwestern United States]], located {{convert|5|mi|0|spell=in}} northeast of [[Downtown Spokane]], in [[Spokane County, Washington]]. It is owned by Spokane City-County.<ref name="FAA" />


The airport has two hard surface [[runway]]s. Felts Field is used for [[general aviation]] now, but it was Spokane's airline airport before the opening of [[Spokane International Airport]].
The airport has two parallel runways. Now used for [[general aviation]], Felts Field was Spokane's commercial airport before the opening of [[Spokane International Airport]].


It is included in the [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) [[National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems]] for 2017–2021, in which it is [[FAA airport categories|categorized]] as a regional reliver facility.<ref name="NPIAS Airports">{{cite web|title=List of NPIAS Airports|url=https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/NPIAS-Report-2017-2021-Appendix-A.pdf|website=FAA.gov|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|accessdate=26 July 2017|format=PDF|date=21 October 2016}}</ref>
The [[Federal Aviation Administration]] (FAA) [[National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems]] for 2017–2021 [[FAA airport categories|categorized]] it as a regional reliever facility.<ref name="NPIAS Airports">{{cite web|title=List of NPIAS Airports|url=https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/NPIAS-Report-2017-2021-Appendix-A.pdf|website=FAA.gov|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|access-date=26 July 2017|date=21 October 2016}}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==
{{See|Felts Field History}}
{{Further|History of Felts Field}}
[[File:Boeing Air Transport B-40.jpg|thumb|left|Boeing Air Transport B-40 at Felts Field on September 23, 1927]]
[[File:Boeing Air Transport B-40.jpg|thumb|left|Boeing Air Transport B-40 at Felts Field in September<!-- 23,--> 1927]]


Felts Field, Spokane's historic airfield, is on the south bank of the [[Spokane River]] east of Spokane. Aviation activities began in 1913. Then called the ''Parkwater airstrip'', it was designated a municipal flying field in 1920 at the instigation of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce.
Felts Field, Spokane's historic airfield, is on the south bank of the [[Spokane River]] east of Spokane. Aviation activities began in 1913. In 1920 the field, then called the ''Parkwater airstrip'', was designated a municipal flying field at the instigation of the [[Spokane Chamber of Commerce]]. In 1926, the [[United States Department of Commerce]] officially recognized Parkwater as an airport, one of the first in the West. In September 1927, in conjunction with Spokane’s National Air Derby and Air Races, the airport was renamed '''''Felts Field''''' for [[James Buell Felts]] (1898–1927), a [[Washington Air National Guard]] aviator killed in a crash that May. Parkwater Aviation Field, later Felts Field, was the location for [[flight instruction]], [[Air charter|charter service]], airplane repair, [[aerial photography]], headquarters of the [[116th Air Refueling Squadron|116th Observation Squadron of the Washington Air National Guard]], and eventually the first [[airmail]] and [[commercial flight]]s in and out of Spokane. After [[World War II]], [[Commercial aviation|commercial air traffic]] moved to Geiger Field (later Spokane International Airport). Felts Field remains a busy regional hub for private and small-plane aviation and related businesses and services. In 1991 it was designated Felts Field Historic District on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Felts Field History| date = | url = http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8464| accessdate = 2011-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = WASHINGTON - Spokane County| publisher = National Register of Historic Places| date = | url = http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/WA/Spokane/state.html| accessdate = 2009-01-15}}</ref>


In 1926, the [[United States Department of Commerce|Department of Commerce]] recognized Parkwater as an airport, one of the first in the West. In September 1927, in conjunction with Spokane's [[National Air Races]] that Felts Field hosted,<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.historylink.org/File/7924| title = Spokane hosts National Air Derby and Air Races beginning on September 21, 1927. - HistoryLink.org}}</ref> the airport was renamed '''Felts Field''' for [[James Buell Felts]], a [[Washington Air National Guard]] aviator killed in a crash that May.<ref name=tdwapdr>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zAtWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=COIDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5999%2C5795838 |work=Spokesman-Review |location=(Spokane, Washington) |title=Two die when airplane drops |date=May 30, 1927 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=plclx>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YKlfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=fzIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3888%2C4672311 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=(Idaho) |agency=Associated Press |title=Planes claimed lives of six |date=May 30, 1927 |page=1}}</ref> Parkwater Aviation Field, later Felts Field, was the location for [[flight instruction]], [[Air charter|charter service]], airplane repair, [[aerial photography]], headquarters of the [[116th Air Refueling Squadron|116th Observation Squadron]] of the Washington Air National Guard, and eventually the first [[airmail]] and [[commercial flight]]s in and out of Spokane.
[[File:Spokane Airport (Felts Field) 1934.jpg|thumb|left|[[United Airlines]] Plane and [[DeSoto (automobile)|DeSoto]] at Spokane Airport (Now Felts Field) on July 19, 1934]]


In the summer of 1946, the airlines ([[Northwest Airlines|Northwest]] and [[United Airlines|United]]) moved west to Geiger Field (later Spokane International Airport). Felts Field remains a busy regional hub for private and small-plane aviation and related businesses and services. In 1991, it was designated Felts Field Historic District on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref>{{cite web| title = Felts Field History| url = http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=8464| access-date = 2011-07-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = WASHINGTON - Spokane County| publisher = National Register of Historic Places| url = http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/WA/Spokane/state.html| access-date = 2009-01-15}}</ref>
⚫
Today the airport is used for general aviation. No scheduled passenger service remains at Felts, though commercial scheduled Part 135 cargo operations remain via UPS and DHL contracting (Ameriflight LLC and previously Merlin Express Airways).


⚫
Today the airport is used for general aviation. No scheduled passenger service remains at Felts, though scheduled Part 135 cargo operations remain via UPS and DHL contracting ([[Ameriflight]] LLC and previously Merlin Express Airways).
⚫
== Facilities==
⚫
Felts Field covers {{convert|416|acre|ha}} at an [[elevation]] of 1,957 feet (596 m). It has two [[runway]]s: 4L/22R is 4,499 by 150 feet (1,371 x 46 m) [[concrete]] and 4R/22L is 2,650 by 75 feet (808 x 23 m) asphalt. It has a [[seaplane]] landing area designated 3W/21W, 6,000 by 100 feet (1,829 x 30 m).<ref name="FAA" />


⚫
== Facilities ==
⚫
For the 12-month period ending February 28, 2015, the airport had 54,881 aircraft operations, average 150 per day: 93% [[general aviation]], 7% [[air taxi]], and <1% military. In July 2017, 176 aircraft were based at this airport: 146 single-engine, 15 multi-engine, and 15 [[helicopter]]s.<ref name="FAA" />
[[File:KSFF-FAA-23 FEB 2023.svg|thumb|right|FAA diagram]]
[[File:Felts_Field,_general_aviation_(10507739434).jpg|thumb|left|The former terminal and control tower]]
⚫
Felts Field covers {{convert|416|acre|km2}} at an [[elevation]] of {{convert|1957|ft}} above [[sea level]]. It has two runways: 4L/22R is {{convert|4499|by|150|ft}} [[concrete]] and 4R/22L is {{convert|2650|by|75|ft}} asphalt. It has a [[seaplane]] landing area designated 3W/21W, {{convert|6000|by|100|ft}}.<ref name="FAA" /> The runways were formerly numbered 3/21.

⚫
In the year ending February 28, 2015, it had 54,881 aircraft operations, averaging 150 per day: 93% [[general aviation]], 7% [[air taxi]], and <1% military. In July 2017, 176 aircraft were based at Felts Field: 146 single-engine, 15 multi-engine, and 15 [[helicopter]]s.<ref name="FAA" />

==Historic Flight Foundation museum==
The hangar facilities at the airport house the [[Historic Flight Foundation]] aviation museum.<ref name=HFF>{{cite web| url = https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2019/dec/17/historic-flight-foundation-opens-aviation-museum-a/| title = Historic Flight Foundation opens aviation museum at Felts Field {{!}} The Spokesman-Review}}</ref> The museum was opened to the public in 2019 as a second location to the Historic Flight Foundation's [[Paine Field]] museum in [[Everett, Washington]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://warbirdsnews.com/aviation-museum-news/historic-flight-foundation-new-museum-space-opens.html | title=Historic Flight Foundation – New Museum Space Opens | date=2 January 2020 }}</ref>


== Cargo carriers ==
== Cargo carriers ==
{{Airport destination list
{{Airport destination list
| [[Airpac Airlines]] | [[Boeing Field|Seattle-Boeing]]
| [[AirPac Airlines]]<ref>[http://airpacairlines.com/ AirPac Airlines]</ref> | [[Portland International Airport|Portland (OR)]], [[Boeing Field|Seattle–Boeing]]
}}
}}


== Accidents and incidents==
== Accidents and incidents==
On November 29, 2003 an Ameriflight LLC cargo ([[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner]]) (N439AF) crashed on approach to runway 21R at Felts Field using [[Instrument landing system|ILS]]. The pilot's HSI was previously noted as inoperative, deferred, and due for scheduled maintenance. It is unclear whether the pilot was using backup instrumentation as prescribed via the deferral process or using the faulty HSI. The Metro III failed to maintain ILS [[glide slope]] and crashed short of the runway into rising terrain and trees. The pilot was killed during the subsequent impact and fire. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.<ref>{{cite web| title = Flight 1966 crash| date = | url = http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20031129-1| accessdate = 2011-07-19}}</ref>
* On the morning of Saturday, November 29, 2003, an Ameriflight LLC cargo ([[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner]]) (N439AF) crashed on approach to runway 22R at Felts Field using the [[Instrument landing system|ILS]].<ref name=pidis>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ZbteAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2DAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=4682%2C4204865 |work=Lewiston Morning Tribune |location=Idaho |agency=Associated Press |title=Pilot dies in Spokane Valley crash of cargo plane |date=November 30, 2003 |page=5C}}</ref> The pilot's [[horizontal situation indicator|HSI]] was previously noted as inoperative, deferred, and due for scheduled maintenance. It is unclear whether the pilot was using backup instrumentation as prescribed via the deferral process or using the faulty HSI. The Metro III failed to maintain ILS [[glide slope]] and crashed short of the runway into rising terrain and trees. The pilot was killed during the subsequent impact and fire. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.<ref>{{cite web| title = Flight 1966 crash| url = http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20031129-1| access-date = 2011-07-19|website=aviation-safety.net}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of airports in Washington (state)|List of airports in Washington]]
* [[Washington World War II Army Airfields]]
* [[Washington World War II Army Airfields]]


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==External links==
==External links==
*{{official website|https://feltsfield.spokaneairports.net/}}
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* [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service ''Discover Our Shared Heritage'' Travel Itinerary]
*[https://www.nps.gov/articles/felts-field-historic-district.htm National Park Service] – Felts Field Historic District
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<!-- * [http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/travel/aviation/ Aviation: From Sand Dunes to Sonic Booms, a National Park Service ''Discover Our Shared Heritage'' Travel Itinerary]-->
*[https://wsdot.wa.gov/travel/aviation/airports-list/felts-field Washington State Department of Transportation] – Felts Field
* {{FAA-diagram|00402}}
* {{FAA-diagram|00402}}
* {{FAA-procedures|SFF}}
* {{FAA-procedures|SFF}}

* {{US-airport-ga|SFF}}
{{US-airport-ga|SFF}}


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[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Spokane, Washington]]
[[Category:National Register of Historic Places in Spokane, Washington]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Historic districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Washington (state)]]
[[Category:Transportation buildings and structures in Spokane County, Washington]]

Latest revision as of 04:08, 17 May 2024

"KSFF" redirects here. For the radio station formerly called KSFF, see KMRV.

Felts Field
From east in 2011, approaching 21R (now 22R)
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerSpokane City-County
ServesSpokane, Washington
Elevation AMSL1,957 ft / 596 m
Coordinates47°40′59″N 117°19′21″W / 47.68306°N 117.32250°W / 47.68306; -117.32250
Websitefeltsfield.spokaneairports.net
Map
SFF is located in Washington (state)
SFF
SFF
Location in Washington
SFF is located in the United States
SFF
SFF
Location in the United States
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
4L/22R 4,499 1,371 Concrete
4R/22L 2,650 808 Asphalt
Statistics
Aircraft operations (2015)75,124
Based aircraft (2017)176

Felts Field (IATA: SFF, ICAO: KSFF, FAA LID: SFF) is a public airport in the Northwestern United States, located five miles (8 km) northeast of Downtown Spokane, in Spokane County, Washington. It is owned by Spokane City-County.[1]

The airport has two parallel runways. Now used for general aviation, Felts Field was Spokane's commercial airport before the opening of Spokane International Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2017–2021 categorized it as a regional reliever facility.[2]

History

[edit]
Further information: History of Felts Field
Boeing Air Transport B-40 at Felts Field in September 1927

Felts Field, Spokane's historic airfield, is on the south bank of the Spokane River east of Spokane. Aviation activities began in 1913. Then called the Parkwater airstrip, it was designated a municipal flying field in 1920 at the instigation of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce.

In 1926, the Department of Commerce recognized Parkwater as an airport, one of the first in the West. In September 1927, in conjunction with Spokane's National Air Races that Felts Field hosted,[3] the airport was renamed Felts Field for James Buell Felts, a Washington Air National Guard aviator killed in a crash that May.[4][5] Parkwater Aviation Field, later Felts Field, was the location for flight instruction, charter service, airplane repair, aerial photography, headquarters of the 116th Observation Squadron of the Washington Air National Guard, and eventually the first airmail and commercial flights in and out of Spokane.

In the summer of 1946, the airlines (Northwest and United) moved west to Geiger Field (later Spokane International Airport). Felts Field remains a busy regional hub for private and small-plane aviation and related businesses and services. In 1991, it was designated Felts Field Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places.[6][7]

Today the airport is used for general aviation. No scheduled passenger service remains at Felts, though scheduled Part 135 cargo operations remain via UPS and DHL contracting (Ameriflight LLC and previously Merlin Express Airways).

Facilities

[edit]
FAA diagram
The former terminal and control tower

Felts Field covers 416 acres (1.68 km2) at an elevation of 1,957 feet (596 m) above sea level. It has two runways: 4L/22R is 4,499 by 150 feet (1,371 by 46 m) concrete and 4R/22L is 2,650 by 75 feet (808 by 23 m) asphalt. It has a seaplane landing area designated 3W/21W, 6,000 by 100 feet (1,829 by 30 m).[1] The runways were formerly numbered 3/21.

In the year ending February 28, 2015, it had 54,881 aircraft operations, averaging 150 per day: 93% general aviation, 7% air taxi, and <1% military. In July 2017, 176 aircraft were based at Felts Field: 146 single-engine, 15 multi-engine, and 15 helicopters.[1]

Historic Flight Foundation museum

[edit]

The hangar facilities at the airport house the Historic Flight Foundation aviation museum.[8] The museum was opened to the public in 2019 as a second location to the Historic Flight Foundation's Paine Field museum in Everett, Washington.[9]

Cargo carriers

[edit]
AirlinesDestinations
AirPac Airlines[10] Portland (OR), Seattle–Boeing

Accidents and incidents

[edit]
  • On the morning of Saturday, November 29, 2003, an Ameriflight LLC cargo (Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner) (N439AF) crashed on approach to runway 22R at Felts Field using the ILS.[11] The pilot's HSI was previously noted as inoperative, deferred, and due for scheduled maintenance. It is unclear whether the pilot was using backup instrumentation as prescribed via the deferral process or using the faulty HSI. The Metro III failed to maintain ILS glide slope and crashed short of the runway into rising terrain and trees. The pilot was killed during the subsequent impact and fire. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.[12]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for SFF PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective July 20, 2017.
  2. ^ "List of NPIAS Airports" (PDF). FAA.gov. Federal Aviation Administration. October 21, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  3. ^ "Spokane hosts National Air Derby and Air Races beginning on September 21, 1927. - HistoryLink.org".
  4. ^ "Two die when airplane drops". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). May 30, 1927. p. 1.
  5. ^ "Planes claimed lives of six". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. May 30, 1927. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Felts Field History". Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  7. ^ "WASHINGTON - Spokane County". National Register of Historic Places. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  8. ^ "Historic Flight Foundation opens aviation museum at Felts Field | The Spokesman-Review".
  9. ^ "Historic Flight Foundation – New Museum Space Opens". January 2, 2020.
  10. ^ AirPac Airlines
  11. ^ "Pilot dies in Spokane Valley crash of cargo plane". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Idaho. Associated Press. November 30, 2003. p. 5C.
  12. ^ "Flight 1966 crash". aviation-safety.net. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
[edit]


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