Ruth Haines
Topeka, Kansas is served by the Topeka Regional Airport (formerly Forbes Field), which is located on the site of the former Topeka Army Air Field. The airport has two runways and over 2 million square feet of apron space available for various types of aircraft.
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What You'll Learn
Topeka Regional Airport's history
Topeka Regional Airport, formerly known as Forbes Field, is located on the site of the former Topeka Army Air Field. The air field was authorised by Congress in December 1941, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, and was completed eight months later. The base included essential buildings, hangars, repair shops, steam heating plants, fuel storage, and three 7,000 by 150-foot paved runways. In August 1942, the first troops arrived, and by September of that year, the field was home to the 333rd Bombardment Group.
On July 1, 1948, the Topeka Army Air Field was reactivated as a Strategic Air Command base (SAC) and renamed Forbes Air Force Base in memory of Major Daniel H. Forbes, a Topeka pilot who was killed in 1948 while testing a jet bomber. During the Korean War, Forbes AFB reopened and was again assigned to SAC, with the 21st Air Division and the 90th Bombardment Wing activating at the base. From 1951 to 1953, the division also trained B-29 replacement crews for combat. In 1958, it was announced that Forbes AFB would support Atlas E missile sites in the surrounding area, with construction beginning in 1959.
In 1964, Forbes AFB was transferred to the Tactical Air Command, although it retained its SAC-gained tenants. The base closed in 1973, but a USAF presence was maintained through a SAC-gained Air National Guard installation. In 1976, the remaining portions of the base not retained by the Air National Guard were turned over to the city of Topeka and Shawnee County, and airline flights moved to the newly-established Forbes Field. The first jet to take off from the new field was a Boeing 737-200 operated by Frontier Airlines.
In 2012, the MTAA Board of Directors renamed the facility to Topeka Regional Airport and Business Center, retaining Forbes Field as the name of the airfield. Today, the airport has two runways and over 2 million square feet of apron space available for transient military, general aviation, and commercial aircraft. The airport is also home to the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing and the 1st Battalion, 108th Aviation Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard.
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Airport runway and apron details
The Topeka Regional Airport (formerly Forbes Field) has two runways and over 2 million square feet of apron space. The primary runway, 13-31 (ILS (31), HIRL, P4L), is more than 12,800 feet long, while the crosswind runway, 03-21 (MIRL, V4L), is 7,000 feet in length. The airport was once a Strategic Air Command (SAC) facility, and it is now home to the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing, which operates the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker.
Topeka Regional Airport has a long history, beginning as the Topeka Army Air Field and later becoming the Forbes Air Force Base. In 1964, the base was transferred to the Tactical Air Command, though it retained its SAC-gained tenants. The base closed in 1973, but a SAC-gained Air National Guard installation remained, which was previously a tenant command. This presence was renamed the Forbes Air National Guard Base, and it continues to be a part of the airport today.
The airport has seen many carriers come and go over the years. In the 1930s, a small mail carrier, United States Airways, operated a route between Denver and Kansas City, stopping in Topeka. In the 1940s, three new airlines began service using Douglas DC-3 aircraft through the Philip Billard Municipal Airport near downtown Topeka. Trans World Airlines (TWA) added Topeka as a stop on its transcontinental route between Los Angeles and New York.
In the 1970s, Capitol Air Service began shuttle flights to Kansas City, Manhattan, and Salina, Kansas. In the 1980s, Frontier Airlines upgraded its service with Boeing 737-200 jets, offering direct flights to several destinations, including Kansas City and Denver. They also operated nonstop jets to Manhattan, KS, and Joplin, MO. However, Frontier ended all service in 1984.
Today, Topeka Regional Airport continues to serve the region, providing a hub for military, general aviation, and commercial aircraft operations.
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Air traffic control tower hours
The air traffic control tower at Topeka Regional Airport in Kansas is operational during set hours, which are currently 06:00 to 22:00 local time. These hours of operation are subject to change and are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in accordance with set regulations and the specific needs of the airport and the surrounding airspace.
The air traffic control tower is a vital facility at any airport, providing essential services to aircraft and ensuring the safe and efficient use of the airspace. The tower is responsible for controlling and coordinating all air traffic within the airport's airspace, including take-offs, landings, and ground movements. During the tower's hours of operation, all aircraft movements are under the direct control and supervision of certified air traffic controllers.
Topeka Regional Airport's air traffic control tower is typically staffed by a team of experienced controllers, who work in shifts to ensure continuous coverage during the operational hours. The tower is equipped with advanced technology, including radar systems and radio communications, enabling controllers to maintain constant situational awareness and provide crucial instructions to pilots.
Outside of the specified tower hours, the airport remains open, but the airspace reverts to uncontrolled status. During these periods, pilots operate under different procedures, relying on self-announcements and maintaining greater separation between aircraft. This is known as a 'non-towered airport' operation, and pilots follow specific protocols to ensure safe arrivals and departures.
It is important for pilots and airport users to be aware of the air traffic control tower hours, as it directly impacts the level of service and support available. During the tower's operational hours, pilots benefit from active air traffic control services, including clearances, advisories, and separation from other aircraft. When the tower is closed, pilots must adapt their procedures and maintain heightened vigilance to ensure safe operations.
The air traffic control tower hours at Topeka Regional Airport are designed to balance the needs of efficient air traffic management and the practical considerations of staffing and resource allocation. The FAA may adjust these hours based on various factors, including traffic volume, weather conditions, and special events, ensuring that the tower's operations remain aligned with the dynamic demands of the aviation industry.
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Airlines that service the airport
Topeka Regional Airport (formerly Forbes Field) is serviced by various airlines, both past and present. The airport has two runways and over 2 million square feet of apron space available for aircraft.
In the early 1930s, United States Airways began servicing the airport with a small mail carrier route between Denver and Kansas City, with stops in Goodland, Salina, and Topeka, Kansas. During this time, they used a five-passenger Metal Aircraft Flamingo.
In the early 1940s, three new airlines began servicing the airport, flying Douglas DC-3 aircraft through the Philip Billard Municipal Airport near downtown Topeka. Trans World Airlines (TWA) added Topeka as a stop on their transcontinental route between Los Angeles and New York.
In the 1970s, Capitol Air Service began operating shuttle flights to Kansas City, Manhattan, and Salina, Kansas. They had a codeshare agreement with Braniff Airways from 1987 to 1989 and operated as Braniff Express. Frontier Airlines also upgraded their service during this time, offering direct flights to Kansas City, Denver, and Wichita with Boeing 737-200 jets.
In the 1980s, Air Midwest established a codeshare agreement with US Airways, providing flights to and from Kansas City with Beechcraft 1900 aircraft. This service continued until 2003 when Air Midwest ended its Topeka service.
Today, Topeka Regional Airport is home to the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing, which flies and maintains the Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker.
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Nearby attractions
Topeka, Kansas, is served by the Topeka Regional Airport (formerly Forbes Field). The airport is located on the site of the former Topeka Air Force Base, which was transferred to Tactical Air Command in 1964. Today, the airport is home to the Kansas Air National Guard's 190th Air Refueling Wing.
- The Kansas Aviation Museum, which showcases the history of aviation in Kansas and features a variety of aircraft on display.
- The Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site, which commemorates the landmark Supreme Court case that ended racial segregation in public schools.
- The Kansas State Capitol, which offers tours of the building and grounds, including the beautiful capitol dome.
- The Topeka Zoo, which is home to a variety of exotic animals from around the world, including elephants, lions, and rare golden lion tamarins.
- The Great Overland Station, a historic train depot that has been converted into a museum, featuring exhibits on the history of rail travel and the settlement of Topeka.
- The Combat Air Museum, located at the nearby Forbes Field, which displays a collection of military aircraft and artefacts.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the airport in Topeka, Kansas, is the Topeka Regional Airport.
The former name of the Topeka Regional Airport was Forbes Field.
The Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority (MTAA) is the body that governs the Topeka Regional Airport.
