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South Lewis County Airport

Coordinates: 46°28′38″N 122°48′23″W / 46.47722°N 122.80639°W / 46.47722; -122.80639
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South Lewis County Airport

Ed Carlson Memorial Field
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerLewis County
ServesLewis County, Washington
LocationToledo / Winlock
Elevation AMSL374 ft / 114 m
Coordinates46°28′38″N 122°48′23″W / 46.47722°N 122.80639°W / 46.47722; -122.80639
Map
TDO is located in Washington (state)
TDO
TDO
Location of airport in Washington
TDO is located in the United States
TDO
TDO
TDO (the United States)
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
6/24 4,479 1,365 Asphalt
Statistics (2020)
Aircraft operations8,300
Based aircraft40

South Lewis County Airport (IATA: TDO, ICAO: KTDO, FAA LID: TDO), also known as Ed Carlson Memorial Field, is a county-owned public-use airport in Lewis County, Washington, United States. It is located three nautical miles (4 mi, 6 km) north of the central business district of Toledo, Washington.[1]

This airport is included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation facility.[2]

History

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The airport is listed as a "public use general aviation airport" that serves Toledo and the surrounding community and region. Partially federally funded, the airfield is required to submit layout and master plans every five years.[3] The field is also used as a primary staging site during natural disasters, providing flight access for emergency and military personnel.[4] It was renamed in honor of Ed Carlson, a long-serving board member of the airfield.[5]

The airport was formerly a joint venture between Toledo, Winlock, and the county. The cooperative was formed by a commission in 1950 and lasted until December 2001[6] when the South Lewis County Airport Board was created to manage the facility.[7][8]

20th century

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Land for the airport was purchased outside Toledo by the city of Winlock in 1939 and a grass runway was constructed.[9] Known originally as the Toledo-Winlock Airport,[5] South Lewis County Airport began as a 4,700 foot (1,400 metres) airstrip beginning in 1940. Constructed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, the runway was built for pilot training[10] and was accompanied by a 75 foot (23 metres) communication tower in May 1941. The strip was lengthened to 5,000 feet (1,524.0 m) and widened to 150 feet (45.7 m) for military planes in 1942.[6][7] The airport, since its inception, was known for its "Toledo Light", a rotating beacon used to guide aircraft; the light had been in existence since the 1920s as part of a nationwide lighthouse system.[11]

The Toledo-Winlock Airport was a possible site for a maintenance hub for Northwest Airlines and to be of potential use for the Portland Interceptive Command, a joint Army-Navy Reserve flight operation based out of Portland, Oregon. Neither attempts were successful.[12] Another consideration of the airport failed in 1964, when Boeing considered the airstrip as a landing gear test site for its 707 aircraft; the runway was considered unsuitable.[13] In mid-1975, airspace over the airport was used to test noise levels of a new DC-9 Series 50 jetliner; the McDonnell Douglas aircraft, due to weight and the length of the airstrip, did not use the landing strip.[14]

The FAA, which had oversight of the airport since 1958, made several attempts to close the airfield's flight information station. The first effort began in 1964 and was suspected to be due to funding concerns.[11] The station survived and became known as the Toledo Flight Service Station[9] but concerns over maintenance costs, and citing improved technology and reduced usage of the monitoring facility, led to another closure attempt in late 1972 and into 1973.[15][16] During the closure attempts, the airport was to install a lighted homing beacon in 1974 but was delayed by the FAA.[17][18] After lawsuits and postponements, the FAA decided in September 1976 to keep the flight information station open but with severely reduced hours and staffing.[19][20][21] The reduction was postponed but made official by February 1977.[22][23] Equipment for an En Route Flight Advisory Service system was installed during the delay.[24]

The airport was the closest airfield during the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens and served as an important center for search-and-rescue operations in the aftermath.[6] A temporary morgue was constructed at the airport during the early operations after the eruption.[25]

21st century

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In December 2001, the communities of Toledo and Winlock officially transferred ownership of the airport to the county.[26]

A group students from the Toledo Middle School's Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) helped to overhaul and improve the grounds and facilities during a late spring two-week effort in 2003.[27] Later that year, the airport received a $1.2 million grant from the FAA for the repaving of the runway, maintaining its 150 foot (46 metres) width; the project was completed and dedicated by the end of the year.[7][28] In 2005, the airfield was the site of an attempted record-breaking tandem parachute jump. Falling short of the mark of 128, it set a regional record of 117 instead.[29]

A $3.2 million project to upgrade the airport was undertaken and completed in 2020. Primarily funded by the FAA, the runway was repainted and the taxiway was rebuilt to average 25 feet (7.6 m) in width and new lighting was installed.[30]

Also during 2020, Lewis County proposed Ed Carlson Memorial Field as a potential site for a state initiative to build a new commercial airport in Western Washington[4] and was officially considered the following year. A group of residents in the Toledo area formed a group to oppose the consideration on the merits of protecting the rural environment in the region with additional concerns regarding increases in crime, pollution, and traffic congestion.[31][32] Despite the airport being one of six finalists, due to public objections, the airfield was removed from consideration and was not among the final options by August 2022.[33]

Accidents and incidents

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The airport was the last to be in contact with a Marine Corps Curtiss R5C Commando that crashed approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away on the afternoon of December 10, 1946. The station at Toledo authorized clearance for the aircraft to climb to a higher elevation due to icy conditions; contact ceased quickly thereafter and 32 men were lost.[34]

Facilities and aircraft

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The airport covers an area of 95 acres (38 ha) at an elevation of 374 feet (114 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 6/24 with an asphalt surface measuring 4,479 by 150 feet (1,365 x 46 m).[1]

When the county took sole-ownership of the field, agreements were offered for tenants to rent parcels on the grounds. Renters could then build hangars on their contracted plat, maintaining ownership of any structure during the lease. However, improvements were then forfeited to the airport once the original rental contract ended.[35] A 2018 budget report listed eight hangars on the grounds and 15 tie-down sites.[36]

Reports in 1969 recorded approximately 3,000 aircraft operations.[9] In 2012, operations were estimated to include over 16,000 flights, for an average of 45 per day.[3] For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2020, the airport had 8,300 aircraft operations, an average of 23 per day: 97% general aviation and 2% military.

In the 21st century, aircraft based at the airport were reported as 66 in 2003[28] and by 2016, included 36 single-engine, 6 multi-engine, the permission to host one jet and an allowable increase of helicopters on the ground from two to three.[37] In 2020, 40 aircraft based at this airport: 38 single-engine, and 2 multi-engine.[1]

The airport owns an undeveloped 15-acre (6.1 ha) parcel set aside for future expansion of the airfield and its facilities.[7]

Training and flight programs

[edit]

South Lewis County Airport is home to the Toledo Flying Club, a membership organization that began in 1938, though officially in 1940,[10] and offers flight instructions to participants.[38] One of the founding members was a Toledo school teacher, Cecelia Earhart, a cousin of Amelia Earhart.[10] The flying club is the oldest of its kind in the state[5] and was host to a fly-in during the 1960s and 1970s that coincided with a local threshing bee festival.[39]

The airfield, beginning in 1972, has been host to a skydiving school, first known as the Toledo Parachute Center.[40][41]

Economy

[edit]

As of 2018, the South Lewis County Airport had a budget of over $3.2 million, with expenditures approximately the same. The airport supports one full-time position.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for TDO PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. effective 5 October 2023.
  2. ^ "Appendix A: List of NPIAS Airports with 5-Year Forecast Activity and Development Cost". National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS) Reports. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-10-27.
  3. ^ a b Broadt, Lisa (September 12, 2013). "South County Airport Master Plan Update Continues". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b The Chronicle staff (August 12, 2020). "Lewis County Proposes Expansion of Toledo Airport to Group Looking to Grow Washington's Air Travel Capacity". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "From Cascades to Pacific, airports adapting to changing needs". The Daily Chronicle. December 3, 1977. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c McDonald, Julie (October 19, 2020). "South County Residents Support Self-Sufficient Airport With Existing Runway". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Mittge, Brian (November 3, 2003). "Officials dedicate new airport runway in Toledo". The Chronicle. pp. A1, A12. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  8. ^ Mittge, Brian (August 4, 2003). "South Lewis County airport leader has eyes for the sky". The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington). Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Hackett, Mike (March 15, 1969). "Flying Comes Of Age On County's Airports". The Daily Chronicle. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c Osowski, Kaylee (October 9, 2015). "Toledo Flying Club Celebrates 75 Years in the Air". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Airport - FAA to Close Toledo Station". The Daily Chronicle. February 5, 1964. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  12. ^ "Airport Site Is Offered As Defense Base". The Daily Chronicle. January 26, 1956. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  13. ^ "Toledo Airport Considered For Jet Landing Tests; California Chosen". The Daily Chronicle. August 24, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  14. ^ "Toledo noise tests to involve jetliner". The Daily Chronicle. June 28, 1975. pp. W1–W2. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  15. ^ Martin, John (January 5, 1973). "Possible closure of Toledo flight center denied by FAA". The Daily Chronicle. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  16. ^ Blomdahl, George (June 29, 1973). "FAA says closure will improve service". The Daily Chronicle. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  17. ^ Auvil, Dennis (October 31, 1974). "Toledo-Winlock airport to gain beacon". The Daily Chronicle. p. 20. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  18. ^ Auvil, Dennis (February 21, 1975). "Airport board mulls sky diving, other possible revenue sources". The Daily Chronicle. p. 2. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  19. ^ "Operations extended". The Daily Chronicle. September 27, 1973. p. 11. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  20. ^ "Toledo FAA hours to be cut in half". The Daily Chronicle. September 16, 1976. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  21. ^ Mohr, Orlo (September 17, 1976). "Toledo staff will be reduced". The Daily Chronicle. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  22. ^ "Pilots will attempt to stop FAA plans". The Daily Chronicle. February 14, 1977. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  23. ^ "Toledo Flight Service Station - photo caption". The Daily Chronicle. February 24, 1977. p. 7. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  24. ^ Mohr, Orlo (November 15, 1976). "Toledo Flight Station receives new wiring, newer equipment". The Daily Chronicle. p. 10. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  25. ^ "Mt. St. Helens - FBI puzzles to identify victims". Walla Walla Union-Bulletin. Associated Press. June 2, 1980. p. 3. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  26. ^ The Chronicle staff (December 26, 2001). "Toledo and Winlock bow out of airport ownership". The Chronicle. p. 1. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  27. ^ McClurg, Dian (June 5, 2003). "Toledo students use community involvement to improve airport". The Chronicle. pp. A1. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  28. ^ a b Mittge, Brian (July 11, 2003). "County Seeking Bids On Airport Near Toledo". The Chronicle. p. 1. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  29. ^ Decker, Sharyn L. (August 29, 2005). "Leap toward a record". The Chronicle. pp. A1, A12. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  30. ^ General Aviation News staff (October 13, 2020). "KTDO facelift complete". General Aviation News. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  31. ^ Fitzgerald, Emily (January 15, 2021). "Toledo Airport Officially Listed as Possible Site for Major Commercial Airport in Washington". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  32. ^ Yaw, Claudia (February 5, 2021). "'Why Wait?': Stamper Fields Criticism From Toledo Residents Demanding Opposition to Airport Expansion". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  33. ^ The Chronicle staff (August 19, 2022). "State Commission Invites Public to Comment on Airport Expansion Site; Toledo Not Among Two Finalists Being Studied". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  34. ^ "Widespread Hunt Is Handicapped By Bad Weather". Lubbock Evening Journal. Associated Press. December 11, 1946. pp. 1, 10. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  35. ^ Sexton, Owen (October 28, 2024). "South Lewis County Airport hangar lease policy draws opposition and ire". The Chronicle. Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  36. ^ a b Tomtas, Justyna (October 3, 2017). "Commissioners to Discuss Mental Health Tax as Budget Meetings Conclude". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  37. ^ The Chronicle staff (September 20, 2016). "Ed Carlson South Lewis County Airport Master Plan Update Approved". The Chronicle. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  38. ^ Jones, Pat (October 16, 2004). "Toledo Flying Club soars with the eagles". The Chronicle. pp. D1, D5. Retrieved July 10, 2024.
  39. ^ "'Bee' salute to bygone era". The Daily Chronicle. August 26, 1972. p. 1. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  40. ^ Mohr, Orlo (September 25, 1976). "Year-round skydiving school finds home at Toledo airport". The Daily Chronicle. p. W3. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  41. ^ Rogers, Roberta (June 11, 1996). "Jumping for joy". The Chronicle. p. A1. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
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