Jazmin Li
Tonopah Airport (IATA: TPH) is a county-owned, public-use airport located in Tonopah, Nevada. During World War II, it was a training base for pilots and bombers, and many units of the USAAF trained there. Today, the airport is served by various charter flights, but there are no direct commercial flights. The closest airport with commercial flights is Fresno Air Terminal, which offers nonstop flights to 13 cities and is located around 163 miles from Tonopah.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Tonopah Airport |
| IATA Code | TPH |
| ICAO Code | KTPH |
| FAA LID | TPH |
| Location | Tonopah, Nye County, Nevada, US |
| Distance from Tonopah | 7 nautical miles (13 km) |
| History | Formerly Tonopah Army Airfield, a World War II training base for USAAF units like the 357th Fighter Group |
| Area | 3,820 acres (1,550 ha) |
| Elevation | 5,430 feet (1,655 m) |
| Runways | 2 asphalt-paved runways: 15/33 (7,160 x 80 ft) and 11/29 (5,660 x 50 ft) |
| Aircraft Operations (as of May 18, 2022) | 7,002 operations in 12 months (avg. 134/week): 68% general aviation, 26% air taxi, 6% military |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Tonopah Airport's history as a World War II training base
The Tonopah Airport in Nevada was once one of the nation's largest World War II pilot and bomber training bases.
The history of the airport as a World War II training base began in 1939 when GHQ Air Force considered improving the airdrome at Tonopah. After the 1939 Invasion of Poland, the "western site board" located a southern Nevada area "near Tonopah, Nev" for a military range. In October 1940, Air Corps Major David Schlatter surveyed the southwest US for a military airfield, and on 29 October 1940, the 60 x 90-mile area at Tonopah was transferred to the War Department by Executive Order 8578.
The Tonopah Airport Committee was formed by the community to have an airstrip built, and construction began in 1940, financed in part by the Works Progress Administration. The first planes to arrive were Bell P-39 Airacobra training fighters, and by the beginning of 1943, there were 227 officers and 1,779 enlisted men at the field. During 1943, twelve P-39 fighter squadrons trained on the bombing and gunnery range, flying out of the Tonopah base.
By late 1943, a three million-dollar expansion project began, transforming the base into a B-24 Liberator bomber training facility, now known as the Tonopah Army Air Field. The base included a rifle range, pistol range, skeet ranges, turret trainers, bomb trainers, flexible gunnery trainers, navigation trainers, and schools for gunners and radio operators. By October 1944, 66 B-24 aircraft were available for the training program, and between February 1944 and August 1945, 750 combat crews trained at the base.
In August 1945, the Tonopah Army Air Field was put on inactive status, and by 1947, the base was declared excess. Today, only two hangars, concrete foundations, and runways remain of the once-thriving World War II training base.
Direct Flights: Airports with Non-Stop Travel Options
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The airport's IATA, ICAO and FAA LID codes
The Tonopah Test Range Airport in Nevada first opened in 1957 to support operations on the test range for nuclear weapons programs funded by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. The airport is located 27 NM (50 km; 31 mi) southeast of Tonopah and 230 km (140 mi) northwest of Las Vegas. It is a major airfield with a 12,000 ft x 150 ft runway, instrument approach facilities, and nighttime illumination.
The airport's IATA code is XSD, its ICAO code is KTNX, and its FAA LID code is TNX. These codes are used to identify the airport in various aviation contexts, such as flight planning, air traffic control, and airport operations.
The IATA code, XSD, is a three-letter code assigned by the International Air Transport Association to airports around the world. This code is often used in flight scheduling and booking systems, as well as for baggage routing and tracking.
The ICAO code, KTNX, is a four-letter code assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization. This code is typically used for air traffic control and flight planning purposes, especially in international contexts.
The FAA LID code, TNX, is a three-letter code assigned by the Federal Aviation Administration. This code is primarily used for aeronautical navigation and air traffic control within the United States.
These codes play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and efficient communication and coordination in aviation operations related to the Tonopah Test Range Airport.
A Comprehensive Guide to Configuring Airport GSX Equipment
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Location and elevation
Tonopah Airport is located in Tonopah, Nevada, in the United States. The airport is situated seven nautical miles (13 km) east of the central business district of Tonopah, in Nye County. Tonopah is a small, rural community in the middle of Nevada's high desert, accessible via the major north-south highway US95, which connects Reno/I-80 and Las Vegas/I-15. Both of these cities are approximately three to four hours away by ground transportation. US 6 also runs east to west at the airport.
The airport is at an elevation of 5,430 feet (1,655 m) above mean sea level. It covers a vast area of 3,820 acres (1,550 ha) and features two asphalt-paved runways. The larger runway, 15/33, measures 7,160 feet by 80 feet (2,182 m by 23 m), while the smaller runway, 11/29, is 5,660 feet by 50 feet (1,725 m by 15 m).
Tonopah Airport incorporates the former Tonopah Army Airfield, a significant World War II installation. During the war, it served as a training base for various units of the USAAF, including the 357th Fighter Group, which included renowned pilots Chuck Yeager and Bud Anderson. The 357th later flew P-51 Mustang fighters against the German Luftwaffe from their base in Britain.
In August 1945, the Tonopah Army Air Field was placed on inactive status, and by 1947, it was declared excess. Today, only a few remnants of its glorious past remain, including two hangers in disrepair, concrete foundations, and the runways that continue to serve Tonopah Airport.
Airport Shuttle Access at Four Queens: What to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Number of runways and their dimensions
The Tonopah Airport, located in Nye County, Nevada, has two asphalt-paved runways. The first runway, 15/33, measures 7,160 feet by 80 feet (2,182 metres by 23 metres). The second runway, 11/29, is 5,660 feet by 50 feet (1,725 metres by 15 metres).
Tonopah Test Range Airport, on the other hand, is situated 27 nautical miles (50 kilometres or 31 miles) southeast of Tonopah, Nevada. It features a single runway measuring 12,000 feet by 150 feet (3,658 metres by 46 metres). This runway has undergone several extensions over the years, including an extension to 10,000 feet (3,048 metres) in the initial reconstruction phase, followed by another extension to a total length of 12,000 feet (3,658 metres) in Phase III of the expansion.
AAA's Airport Limo Recommendations: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Types of aircraft operations
Tonopah Airport, located in Nye County, Nevada, offers a range of aircraft operations catering to different needs. The airport has a rich history, initially serving as a World War II training base for pilots and bombers. Today, it continues to serve general aviation, air taxi services, and military operations.
General aviation forms the majority of the airport's operations, accounting for 68% of all aircraft movements. This includes private pilot operations, recreational flying, and flight training activities. Many pilots utilise the airport for personal travel, leisure, and training purposes.
Air taxi services make up 26% of the operations, providing on-demand and flexible transportation options for passengers. These services offer direct and efficient travel to destinations within the region, connecting Tonopah with nearby cities and towns.
Military operations still play a role at Tonopah Airport, with 6% of aircraft operations attributed to military activities. This reflects the airport's historical significance as a training base during World War II, when units of the USAAF, such as the 357th Fighter Group, received their training.
Additionally, the airport has two asphalt-paved runways capable of accommodating various aircraft types. The larger runway, 15/33, measures 7,160 feet in length and 80 feet in width, while the smaller runway, 11/29, is 5,660 feet long and 50 feet wide. These runways enable safe take-off and landing for different aircraft, supporting the diverse aircraft operations at Tonopah Airport.
Excalibur Hotel's Airport Shuttle: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
