Lois Larson
Palmdale Regional Airport, located in Palmdale, California, has a long history dating back to the early 1930s when it was a small airstrip in the desert. During World War II, it served as an emergency landing field for the United States Army Air Corps. While the airport is technically open to the public, it is primarily operated by the USAF and approvals for landing are generally limited to official business and military aircraft. Civil flights are rare, and there are no public terminals or parking facilities for personal aircraft. However, the City of Palmdale is coordinating with the USAF and other partners to potentially bring back commercial air service to the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Palmdale, California, United States |
| Ownership | City of Palmdale, United States Air Force |
| Management | Palmdale Airport Authority |
| Type of Airport | Public, Military |
| Landing Requirements | Prior permission from base commander, DD Form 2400/01/02 |
| Runway Strength | 7/25 runway can withstand 8.3 Richter Scale earthquake |
| Runway Dimensions | 4/22: 12,001 x 150 ft (3,658 x 46 m) 7/25: 12,002 x 200 ft (3,658 x 61 m) 72/252: 6,000 x 75 ft (1,829 x 23 m) |
| Elevation | 2,543 ft (775 m) above mean sea level |
| Area | 5,832 acres (2,360 ha) |
| Facilities | Small airline terminal, basic airline services, VIP services, Blackbird Airpark Museum |
| Commercial Service | Currently no scheduled passenger airline service |
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What You'll Learn
- Palmdale Regional Airport is a public airport, but it is operated by the USAF
- The airport has no scheduled passenger airline service
- The USAF only approves flights that relate to DoD business
- The airport has three runways, a hangar, and a small airline terminal
- The City of Palmdale is coordinating with the USAF to bring back commercial air service
Palmdale Regional Airport is a public airport, but it is operated by the USAF
The airport has gone through several changes in ownership and periods of civilian use. In the late 1960s and early 1980s, commuter air carriers operated several nonstop flights a day to Los Angeles (LAX). In 1989, an agreement was reached between LAWA and the U.S. Air Force regarding the commercial use of the airport, allowing a maximum of 400 flights per day. However, despite these developments, convincing airlines of the airport's marketability without subsidies has proven challenging due to community noise concerns.
Today, Palmdale Regional Airport is managed by the Palmdale Airport Authority, and while it is technically open to the public, its operations are primarily focused on military and official business. The airport shares a runway with USAF Plant 42, a classified aircraft manufacturing plant owned by the USAF. Plant 42 is operated by private contractors who build, maintain, and modify military aircraft for the U.S. and its allies.
Due to the nature of its operations, landing a personal aircraft at Palmdale Regional Airport can be a complicated process. While it is technically a public airport, civilian aircraft are generally not permitted to land without prior permission and specific reasons for their presence. The airport does not have a public terminal or facilities for general aviation, making it challenging for personal aircraft owners to utilize.
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The airport has no scheduled passenger airline service
Palmdale Regional Airport (IATA: PMD, ICAO: KPMD, FAA LID: PMD) is an airport in Palmdale, California, United States. The airport currently does not have any scheduled passenger airline service.
The airport has a rich history, dating back to the early 1930s when it was a small airstrip in the desert. It was used as an emergency landing field and for B-25 Mitchell medium bomber support training during World War II. In 1950, the Air Force reactivated the property for use in the final assembly and flight testing of military jet aircraft.
Today, the airport is managed by the Palmdale Airport Authority and covers 5,832 acres at an elevation of 2,543 feet above mean sea level. It has three concrete runways, with 7/25 being one of the world's strongest runways, built to withstand an 8.3-magnitude earthquake.
While there are no scheduled passenger flights, the airport does offer private jet charter services and is used for local general aviation, air taxi, commercial, military, and transient general aviation operations. The airport also features a small passenger terminal, providing a basic range of airline services, and is home to the Blackbird Airpark Museum.
The City of Palmdale is working with the United States Air Force and other partners to potentially bring back commercial air service to the region, with plans for a future airport to be located southeasterly of Avenue M and Sierra Highway.
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The USAF only approves flights that relate to DoD business
Palmdale Regional Airport is located in Palmdale, California, United States. The airport is managed by the Palmdale Airport Authority and currently does not have any scheduled passenger airline service. The USAF operates the airport, and while it is technically open to the public, only military aircraft are allowed to land without prior permission. The USAF only approves flights that relate to DoD business.
The airport's history dates back to the early 1930s when a small airstrip was built in the desert. It was listed in 1935 documentation as CAA Intermediate #5 and was used as an emergency landing field. During World War II, it served as an emergency landing strip and for B-25 Mitchell medium bomber support training. After the war, the airfield was deemed surplus and purchased by Los Angeles County. With the outbreak of the Korean War, the Air Force reactivated the property for military jet aircraft assembly and testing.
The USAF's strict control over the airport's operations has led to some confusion and debate. While it is technically a public airport, some sources indicate that it is only open for official business, requiring civil use to obtain USAF approval and complete specific paperwork. This includes obtaining prior permission from the base commander at least 30 days in advance and then calling the tower for a PPR number. These requirements make landing at Palmdale Regional Airport a hassle for some pilots, who opt for nearby airports like Fox Airfield instead.
The City of Palmdale is working with the USAF and other partners to potentially reintroduce commercial air service to the airport. A feasibility study has demonstrated significant demand for regional commercial air service in the Antelope Valley. While the future of the airport is uncertain, it is clear that the USAF maintains tight control over its operations, only approving flights that relate to DoD business.
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The airport has three runways, a hangar, and a small airline terminal
The Palmdale Regional Airport in California, United States, has a rich history dating back to the early 1930s. It was initially a small airstrip in the desert, serving as an emergency landing field. Over the years, it has transformed into a versatile airfield with both civil and military usage.
The airport boasts an impressive infrastructure, featuring three runways with concrete surfaces. These runways are designed to handle various aircraft, with dimensions ranging from 6,000 by 75 feet to 12,002 by 200 feet. The longest runway, 7/25, can even withstand an 8.3-magnitude earthquake, showcasing its superior construction.
In addition to the runways, the airport also houses a hangar and a small airline terminal. While the hangar accommodates aircraft storage and maintenance, the terminal provides essential services for passengers. The terminal is located on the southwest side of the airport, offering a basic range of airline services.
Palmdale Regional Airport caters to a variety of aircraft operations, including local general aviation, air taxi, commercial, military, and transient general aviation. The airport does not currently have any scheduled passenger airline service, but it is working towards potentially bringing back commercial air service to the region.
In terms of accessibility, the airport is situated in the Antelope Valley, approximately 60 miles from downtown Los Angeles. It covers a vast area, spanning 5,832 acres at an elevation of 2,543 feet above mean sea level.
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The City of Palmdale is coordinating with the USAF to bring back commercial air service
Palmdale Regional Airport (IATA: PMD, ICAO: KPMD, FAA LID: PMD) is an airport in Palmdale, California, United States. The airport currently does not accommodate any scheduled passenger airline or commercial air service. While it is technically a public airport, it is operated by the USAF, and only military aircraft are permitted to land without prior permission.
The City of Palmdale is coordinating with the USAF and other Air Force Plant 42 partners to bring back commercial air service to the Antelope Valley. The future airport is tentatively planned to be located on 600 acres of city-owned land, adjacent to Plant 42. A city-funded feasibility study has demonstrated significant demand for regional commercial air service, and marketing campaigns for the project are underway.
The history of Palmdale Regional Airport dates back to the early 1930s when a small airstrip was built in the desert. It was initially used as an emergency landing field and for bomber support training during World War II. In the 1960s and 1970s, the airport saw commuter air carriers operating several nonstop flights a day to Los Angeles (LAX). However, despite efforts to develop the airport into an alternative to LAX, the project did not gain traction, and commercial carriers gradually departed.
The City of Palmdale took over the airport's management at the end of 2013 and has been working towards bringing back commercial air service. In 2019, the city contracted consultants to develop a new passenger terminal to serve defense contractors based at Plant 42 and Edwards Air Force Base. The new civil airport terminal is planned to be built near the railroad tracks and the entrance onto Avenue M.
The return of commercial air service to Palmdale Regional Airport would provide convenient travel options for residents of the High Desert region, who currently face long journeys to airports like Bob Hope Airport in Burbank and Los Angeles International Airport.
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Frequently asked questions
While the airport is technically open to the public, it is operated by the USAF and only allows civilian landings for official business. You will need prior permission from the base commander at least 30 days in advance and a DD Form 2400/01/02.
Palmdale Regional Airport is a combined airfield with both civil and military usage. It is used by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and several major aviation companies, including Northrop Grumman, Boeing, and Lockheed-Martin.
Palmdale Airport was first established in the early 1930s as a small airstrip in the desert. It was used as an emergency landing field and for B-25 Mitchell medium bomber support training during World War II. The airport was purchased by Los Angeles County in 1946 and later reactivated for military use during the Korean War.
The airport currently does not have any scheduled passenger airline services. However, it does have a small airline terminal that offers a basic range of airline services.
Palmdale Regional Airport has three concrete runways: 4/22 (12,001 by 150 feet), 7/25 (12,002 by 200 feet, built to withstand an 8.3-magnitude earthquake), and 72/252 (6,000 by 75 feet).
