Pinedale, Wyoming: Airport Accessibility And Convenience

Pinedale, Wyoming, is home to the Ralph Wenz Field Airport, also known as Pinedale Airport. The airport is located approximately 6 miles southeast of Pinedale and is owned by the town. It is a busy general aviation airport regularly used by larger business jets and smaller single and multi-engine aircraft. With a history dating back to the 1940s, the airport has undergone various expansions and improvements over the years, including the construction of new runways and land acquisition projects.

Pinedale Airport, also known as Ralph Wenz Field, is located 6 miles southeast of Pinedale, Wyoming

The airport was named in memory of Ralph Wenz, who was involved in testing cold weather equipment as a navigator for the Army Air Corps in Alaska. Originally from Nebraska, Wenz moved to Wyoming before the war, where he learned to fly airplanes, worked as an airmail pilot, and built airfields. He joined the military as a radio operator with the Engineers Air Corps Division. Sadly, he died in an airplane crash in the Alaska wilderness in 1943, and the airport was later named in his honour.

Pinedale Airport started as a grass landing strip in the late 1940s, with the first paved runway constructed in the 1950s, measuring 60 by 4,400 feet. In 1968, the runway was lengthened to 6,600 feet with funds raised by local businessmen. The airport continued to expand, with several land acquisition projects over the years. In 1985, a new 100-by-7,100-foot runway was built south of the old runway, which was converted into a taxiway.

The airport's location is approximately five nautical miles (or 9 km) southeast of the central business district of Pinedale in Sublette County, Wyoming, United States. It is a town-owned, public-use airport, and the FAA location identifier is PNA. The airport's master plan, launched in 2023, aims to guide the next 20 years of growth, ensuring safe, efficient, and effective operations while reflecting the community's values.

The airport is named after Staff Sgt. Ralph Wenz of the US Army Air Corps, who died in an airplane crash in Alaska

Pinedale, Wyoming, has an airport named Ralph Wenz Field, also known as Pinedale Airport. The airport is located approximately 6 miles southeast of Pinedale, Wyoming, in Sublette County. It is a busy general aviation airport regularly used by larger business jets and smaller single and multi-engine aircraft. The airport has a rich history, starting as a grass landing strip in the late 1940s, and it has undergone various developments and expansions over the years.

The airport is named after Staff Sgt. Ralph Wenz of the US Army Air Corps, who was originally from Nebraska. Wenz moved to Wyoming before the war, where he learned to fly airplanes, worked as an air mail pilot, and even built airfields. He played a significant role in the Pinedale area, particularly in testing cold weather equipment as a navigator in the Army Air Corps in Alaska. Sadly, Ralph Wenz met an untimely end in 1943 when his aircraft, a B-24, crashed in the Alaska wilderness, specifically in what would become the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.

Wenz's tragic death in the line of duty left a lasting impact on the community, and it is only fitting that the Pinedale Airport was named in his memory. The airport has continued to grow and evolve, with the support and involvement of the local community and businesses. The airport is owned by the Town of Pinedale and is operated and managed by the five members of the Airport Board through recommendations to the town.

In recent years, the airport has taken initiatives to plan for its future growth and development strategically. In 2022, the airport announced the launch of its 2023 Airport Master Plan, which aims to guide the next 20 years of growth. The planning process involves examining the airport's role within the community, its assets and facilities, aviation activity forecasts, and future development options. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires airports to develop such long-term plans to ensure thoughtful and strategic growth.

Ralph Wenz Field has over 20 based aircraft, showcasing its significance in the region. It also has 19 privately-owned hangars and 2 hangars owned by the Town of Pinedale. The airport provides full-service options through its Fixed Base Operator, Top Flight Aviation, which caters to the fueling, maintenance, and hangar facility needs of based and transient aircraft.

Ralph Wenz Field is a town-owned, public-use airport regularly used by larger business jets and smaller single-engine aircraft

Pinedale, Wyoming, does indeed have an airport. Ralph Wenz Field, also known as Pinedale Airport, is a town-owned, public-use airport located approximately 6 miles southeast of Pinedale, Wyoming. The airport is named after Staff Sgt. Ralph Wenz of the United States Army Air Corps, who was involved in testing cold weather equipment in Alaska before his death in an airplane crash in 1943 (or 1947, according to one source).

Ralph Wenz Field is a busy general aviation airport regularly used by larger business jets and smaller single-engine aircraft, as well as some multi-engine aircraft. The airport has over 20 based aircraft, with 19 privately-owned hangars and 2 hangars owned by the Town of Pinedale. It is operated and managed by the five members of the Airport Board, who make recommendations to the town.

The airport has a full-service Fixed Base Operator, Top Flight Aviation, which provides aircraft fueling, maintenance, and hangar facilities to based and transient aircraft. Ralph Wenz Field is currently in the process of developing a 20-year master plan to guide its future growth and development, with community engagement playing a key role in the planning process.

The history of the airport dates back to the late 1940s when it started as a grass landing strip. The first paved runway was constructed in the 1950s, and subsequent decades saw expansions and improvements, including runway lengthening and land acquisitions to accommodate increasing aviation needs. Today, Ralph Wenz Field continues to serve the aviation needs of Pinedale, Wyoming, and the surrounding area, catering to a range of aircraft, from small single-engine planes to larger business jets.

The airport has over 20 based aircraft, 19 privately-owned hangars, and 2 hangars owned by the Town of Pinedale

Pinedale, Wyoming, is home to the Ralph Wenz Field airport, located approximately six miles southeast of the town. The airport is also known as Pinedale Airport and has the codes PNA, PWY, and KPNA. It is a busy general aviation airport that accommodates larger business jet aircraft and smaller single and multi-engine aircraft.

The airport has an impressive number of based aircraft, with over 20 planes calling it their home base. In addition, there are a total of 21 hangars, with 19 of them being privately owned and the remaining two owned by the Town of Pinedale. This distribution of ownership ensures that both private and public interests are served at the airport.

The Town of Pinedale's ownership of two hangars underscores its commitment to supporting aviation in the region. These hangars can be used for various purposes, such as aircraft storage, maintenance, and even community events, fostering a sense of aviation enthusiasm among locals. Additionally, the town's involvement in the airport's operations and management demonstrates its dedication to ensuring the airport's safe, efficient, and effective functioning.

The airport's future development is carefully considered through initiatives like the 2023 Airport Master Plan. This plan aims to guide the airport's growth over the next 20 years, involving the community and taking into account aviation activity forecasts, airport assets, and future development options. By involving the community, the airport's management ensures that its expansion aligns with the values and needs of Pinedale's residents.

With a rich history that dates back to the late 1940s, the Pinedale Airport has evolved from a grass landing strip to a thriving aviation hub. The airport's namesake, Ralph Wenz, was a notable figure in the Pinedale area, involved in testing cold-weather equipment for the Army Air Corps in Alaska before his tragic death in a plane crash in 1943. The airport's continued growth and expansion honour his memory and contribute to the region's aviation legacy.

Pinedale Airport launched its 2023 Airport Master Plan to guide the next 20 years of growth and development

Pinedale, Wyoming, does have an airport, known as Ralph Wenz Field (PNA) or Pinedale Airport. It is located approximately 6 miles southeast of Pinedale and is a busy general aviation airport regularly used by larger business jets and smaller single and multi-engine aircraft. The airport is owned by the Town of Pinedale and operated and managed by the five members of the Airport Board through recommendations to the Town.

In 2022, Pinedale Airport announced the launch of its 2023 Airport Master Plan, which will guide the next 20 years of growth and development at the airport. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires airports to develop a 20-year master plan to ensure thoughtful and strategic planning for the future. The planning process will involve examining the airport's role within the community, its assets and facilities, aviation activity forecasts, and future development options. The community was encouraged to attend a kick-off meeting on November 2, 2022, to learn more about the planning process and provide feedback.

The Pinedale Airport Master Plan aims to ensure the airport continues to operate safely, efficiently, and effectively while reflecting the community's values. The airport has a rich history, starting as a grass landing strip in the late 1940s and gradually expanding over the years. With over 20 based aircraft and a full-service Fixed Base Operator, the airport is well-equipped to handle various aircraft types.

The Master Plan will likely involve identifying the infrastructure and services needed to meet the demands of the Pinedale region and supporting the airport's long-term viability and economic development. This could include plans for new runways, taxiways, or expanded facilities to accommodate increasing aviation activity. Additionally, the plan will consider options for ongoing public engagement and how the airport can best serve the community while maintaining safe and efficient operations.

The Pinedale Airport 2023 Airport Master Plan demonstrates a commitment to strategic growth and development, ensuring that the airport can meet the region's aviation needs while reflecting the values and priorities of the community it serves. By involving the community in the planning process, the airport is taking a proactive approach to its future, setting a course for the next 20 years and beyond.

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