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Reno Stead Airport, formerly Stead Air Force Base, is a large public and military general aviation airport located in the North Valleys area, 10 nautical miles (19 km) northwest of the central business district of Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The airport began in 1942, as the Reno Army Air Base, and was built by the Army Air Corps. In 1951, the air base was renamed Stead Air Force Base in honor of Croston Stead, who died while engaging in a mock dogfight in his P-51 Mustang. Since 1966, Reno-Stead Airport has been home to military operations and the National Championship Air Races.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | 10 nautical miles (19 km) northwest of the central business district of Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada, United States |
| Airport Type | Public and military general aviation airport |
| Airport Authority | Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority |
| ICAO | KRTS |
| FAA LID | RTS |
| Former FAA LID | 4SD |
| Year of Opening | 1942 |
| Former Name | Reno Army Air Base, Stead Air Force Base |
| Yearly Aircraft Operations | 104,239 (as of June 30, 2019) |
| Area Covered | 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) |
| Elevation | 5,050 feet (1,539 m) |
| Number of Runways | 2 |
| Runway 14/32 Dimensions | 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 x 46 m) |
| Runway 8/26 Dimensions | 7,608 by 150 feet (2,319 x 46 m) |
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What You'll Learn
Reno Stead Airport's history
Reno Stead Airport (ICAO: KRTS, FAA LID: RTS, formerly 4SD) is a large public and military general aviation airport located in the North Valleys area, 10 nautical miles (19 km) northwest of the central business district of Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada, US. The airport covers an area of 5,000 acres (2,023 ha) at an elevation of 5,050 feet (1,539 m) above sea level. It has two runways: 14/32, which is 9,000 by 150 feet (2,743 x 46 m), and 8/26, which is 7,608 by 150 feet (2,319 x 46 m).
The location was first opened by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942, in the middle of World War II. It was then known as the Reno Army Air Base. In 1951, the United States Air Force (USAF) established Stead Air Force Base at the airfield, named after 1st Lt. Croston Stead, who died during a training exercise in 1949. The USAF Survival School and 3904th Composite Wing moved to the base from Camp Carson, Colorado, on 29 May 1951. The base was equipped with C-119 Flying Boxcars for training, and personnel were taught how to survive in remote and/or unfriendly terrain, escape capture, and escape if captured.
In 1966, the base was turned over to the city of Reno and is now operated by the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. The airport's sole remaining military presence consists of an Army Aviation Support Facility and the 189th General Support Aviation Battalion of the Nevada Army National Guard, flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
In 1964, the Reno Stead Airport was operated by the Ag Aviation Academy, based in Minden, Nevada. The academy taught various flying courses and ground schools, including helicopter and multi-engine courses. In 1967, former USAF fighter pilot Robert E. Schricker became Chief Pilot for the AG Academy. However, he left in 1969 to open his own flight school, Reno's Executive Air, at the main Reno Airport. Since 1964, the airport has been home to the National Championship Air Races, also known as the Reno Air Races, held every September.
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The airport's economic plans
The Reno-Stead Airport (RTS) is located 15 miles north of Reno, in the North Valleys area, and is a large public and military general aviation airport. RTS is working to develop itself as a major economic hub in the north valley, including an airport business park ideal for aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and logistics. The airport business park has been identified as a future regional jobs center by the Truckee Meadows Regional Planning Agency and constitutes a significant percentage of vacant industrial land in the City of Reno and Washoe County.
RTS provides a wide range of facilities and services that benefit both the regional community and links it to the global economy. The airport has a safe and well-maintained airfield with enough capacity for both existing and future aircraft operation volumes. RTS also has an airport terminal dedicated to its history and the nation's veterans, which opened in 2013 and serves the general aviation community. The two-story, 12,000-square-foot building includes an Emergency Operations Center, administrative offices, a community conference room, and a Pilot's Lounge.
The Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority (RTAA) operates two significant economic drivers for the region: the Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO) and RTS. Together, they generate $3.1 billion in economic impact, bringing travelers to and from casinos, ski resorts, and businesses. The RTAA is committed to providing the highest level of facilities and services while maintaining the airports as catalysts for regional growth.
The RTAA has developed comprehensive plans for RTS, including the RTS Master Plan, which provides a written and graphical representation of the airport's ultimate development, anticipated land uses, and development opportunities. The plan addresses aviation industry changes, growth, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) standards for the next 20 years. Additionally, the FAA named Nevada as one of six Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) designated test sites, and RTS was identified as a testing range by the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems (NIAS).
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Stead Airport's role in aviation
Reno Stead Airport is a large public and military general aviation airport located in the North Valleys area, 10 nautical miles (19 km) northwest of the central business district of Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The airport is owned and operated by the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority. It is a 5,000-acre general aviation facility, with about 200 aircraft based there.
Reno Stead Airport was opened by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942, in the middle of World War II. It was formerly known as Stead Air Force Base, named after 1st Lt. Croston Stead, who died during a training exercise in 1949. The USAF Survival School and 3904th Composite Wing moved to the base from Camp Carson, Colorado, on 29 May 1951. The base was equipped with C-119 Flying Boxcars for training, and personnel were taught how to survive in remote and/or unfriendly terrain, how to escape capture, and how to escape if captured. In 1958, the USAF Helicopter Pilot School was relocated to Stead Airport, and the site was used for advanced helicopter training. In 1960 and 1962, astronauts were trained in desert survival at the base.
In 1964, the Reno Stead Airport was operated by the Ag Aviation Academy, which was then based in Minden, Nevada. The academy taught all types of flying courses, including helicopter and multi-engine courses. In 1966, the AG Aviation Academy moved to Stead Airport, and in 1967, Robert E. Schricker, a retired USAF fighter pilot, became its Chief Pilot. In the 1960s, Bill Lear, the founder of Learjet, also set up operations at the Stead Airport.
Today, Reno Stead Airport functions as a general aviation reliever for the nearby Reno-Tahoe International Airport. The airport is used by the Bureau of Land Management as a base for firefighting aircraft. The airport is also working to develop itself as a major economic hub in the north valley, with an airport business park ideal for aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and logistics. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has designated the airport as a testing range for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones.
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The airport's military presence
Reno Stead Airport, formerly Stead Air Force Base, was a military installation until 1966. It was opened by the United States Army Air Forces in 1942, in the middle of World War II, and was renamed Stead Air Force Base in 1951. The base was named after 1st Lt. Croston Stead, a Reno native who died in 1949 when his P-51 Mustang crashed during a training exercise.
From 1954 to 1964, the air base served as a training centre for 80,000 military personnel from multiple branches of the US Armed Forces, as well as foreign officers and astronauts. The base provided classroom instruction on basic survival, evasion, and escape, and field training in the harsh mountainous terrain surrounding Stead. The USAF Survival School and 3904th Composite Wing moved to the base from Camp Carson, Colorado, in 1951, and the base was equipped with C-119 Flying Boxcars for training. In 1958, the USAF Helicopter School was moved to Stead Air Force Base, and the base was used for advanced helicopter training in the area's mountains. In 1960 and 1962, astronauts were trained in desert survival and helicoptered to a nearby location for further training.
In 1966, Stead Air Force Base was closed and transferred to the City of Reno, and it began operating as Reno Stead Airport. The airfield was used as a flying school by the Ag Aviation Academy, which taught various flying courses, including helicopter and multi-engine courses. The airport's sole remaining military presence consists of an Army Aviation Support Facility and the 189th General Support Aviation Battalion of the Nevada Army National Guard, flying CH-47 Chinook helicopters. The airport is also used by the Bureau of Land Management as a base for firefighting aircraft.
In 2013, the Reno-Stead Airport gained a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) test site designation, and it is now used as a testing range for drones by the military, government, businesses, and other organizations. The airport is also home to the National Championship Air Races, also known as the Reno Air Races, held every September.
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Reno Stead Airport's runways and facilities
Reno Stead Airport (RTS) is a large public and military general aviation airport located in the North Valleys area, 10 miles northwest of the central business district of Reno, in Washoe County, Nevada. The airport is owned and operated by the Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority and covers an area of 5,000 acres. Approximately 200 aircraft are based at the airport, which is also an FAA-designated UAS test range.
Reno Stead Airport has two runways: Runway 14/32 and Runway 08/26. The airport's elevation is 5050 feet MSL, and it is designated as a heavy/high-performance airport. The airport has a surveyed elevation of 5,050 feet MSL, and an ALTITUDE CORRECTION is required at or below -16°C. The airport is also equipped with a MALSR system for Runway 32, a REIL system for Runway 14, and a HIRL system for Runways 14 and 32.
The Reno Stead Airport Freedom Flight Terminal, opened in 2013, serves the general aviation community. The two-story, 12,000-square-foot building provides an Emergency Operations Center, administrative offices, a community conference room, and a Pilot's Lounge.
The airport's history dates back to 1942 when it was opened by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. It was known as Stead Air Force Base until 1966, honouring 1st Lt. Croston Stead, who died during a training exercise in 1949. The airport's sole remaining military presence includes an Army Aviation Support Facility and the Nevada Army National Guard, operating CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
In addition to its role as a general aviation reliever airport, the Reno Stead Airport is also known for hosting the National Championship Air Races, or Reno Air Races, held annually every September since 1964.
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Frequently asked questions
Reno Stead Airport began in 1942 as the Reno Army Air Base and was built by the Army Air Corps.
The airport was named Stead Air Force Base in 1951 in honour of Croston Stead, who died while engaging in a mock dog fight in his P-51 Mustang.
Reno Stead Airport is located approximately 15 miles north of Reno.
