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==History==
==History==
The airport began with the purchase of {{convert|300|acre|km2}} of land in 1928. During [[World War II]], the military used the site as a training base and added 1,400 additional acres. After the war the property was given back to the City of Florence, and later shared with Florence County.<ref name=Airport />
The airport began with the purchase of {{convert|300|acre|km2}} of land in 1928. During [[World War II]], the [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[Third Air Force]] used the airport as a training base and added 1,400 additional acres. Known as '''Florence Army Airfield''', the [[52d Fighter Wing|52d Pursuit Group]] was assigned to the airfield on 18 February 1942 and trained with P-39 Aircobra and P-40 Warhawks until departing on 27 April for Wilmington, North Carolina.

A succession of Troop Carrier groups trained at Florence during 1943 those being the 63d, 65th, 313th and 315th prior to their deployment to Europe and North Africa. Afterwards, the airfield became a combat crew replacement training school for [[A-20 Havoc]] light bomber crews, with the 411th Bombardment Group being the Operational Training Unit at Florence AAF from 15 August 1943 until 1 May 1944.

After the 344th was inactivated, the replacement training was taken over by the 334th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Light Bombardment). Support units at Florence AAF were the 407th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron; 10th Aviation Squadron; 958th Guard Squadron; 341st Sub-Depot; HQ, 411th Bombardment Group (Light).

In addition, Florence AAF controlled two auxiliary training bases for it's A-20 Training. Those were:
* [[Darlington County Jetport|Hartsville AAF]] [[Darlington, South Carolina]] {{coord|34|26|45|N|79|54|00|W|region:US-GA_type:airport}}
* Hartsville Auxiliary Field, [[Hartsville, South Carolina]] {{coord|34|24|00|N|80|02|30|W|region:US-GA_type:airport}}

In early 1945, the airfield was transferred to [[First Air Force]], and the 127th Army Air Forces Base unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Light) assumed the [[A-26 Invader]] training mission.

After the war the property was given back to the City of Florence on 31 October 1945, and later shared with Florence County.<ref name=Airport />


Operation of the airport was assigned to the Pee Dee Regional Airport Authority in 1999. The authority had nine representatives from the Pee Dee Regional Airport District, which includes the City of Florence, and the counties of Florence, [[Dillon, South Carolina|Dillon]] and [[Marion, South Carolina|Marion]].<ref name=Airport />
Operation of the airport was assigned to the Pee Dee Regional Airport Authority in 1999. The authority had nine representatives from the Pee Dee Regional Airport District, which includes the City of Florence, and the counties of Florence, [[Dillon, South Carolina|Dillon]] and [[Marion, South Carolina|Marion]].<ref name=Airport />

Revision as of 22:17, 9 April 2009

Florence Regional Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerPee Dee Regional Airport Authority
ServesFlorence, South Carolina
Elevation AMSL146 ft / 45 m
Coordinates34°11′07″N 079°43′26″W / 34.18528°N 79.72389°W / 34.18528; -79.72389
Websitewww.FlorenceSCairport.com
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
1/19 5,999 1,828 Asphalt
9/27 6,499 1,981 Asphalt
Statistics (2006)
Aircraft operations31,242
Based aircraft52
Sources: airport web site[1] and FAA[2]

Florence Regional Airport (IATA: FLO, ICAO: KFLO, FAA LID: FLO) is a public airport located three miles (5 km) east of the central business district of Florence, a city in Florence County, South Carolina, United States.[2]

The airport is mostly used for general aviation, but is also served by two commercial airlines. There are only two destinations served by Florence Regional, Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Flights to these destinations take approximately an hour each.

History

The airport began with the purchase of 300 acres (1.2 km2) of land in 1928. During World War II, the United States Army Air Forces Third Air Force used the airport as a training base and added 1,400 additional acres. Known as Florence Army Airfield, the 52d Pursuit Group was assigned to the airfield on 18 February 1942 and trained with P-39 Aircobra and P-40 Warhawks until departing on 27 April for Wilmington, North Carolina.

A succession of Troop Carrier groups trained at Florence during 1943 those being the 63d, 65th, 313th and 315th prior to their deployment to Europe and North Africa. Afterwards, the airfield became a combat crew replacement training school for A-20 Havoc light bomber crews, with the 411th Bombardment Group being the Operational Training Unit at Florence AAF from 15 August 1943 until 1 May 1944.

After the 344th was inactivated, the replacement training was taken over by the 334th Army Air Forces Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Light Bombardment). Support units at Florence AAF were the 407th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron; 10th Aviation Squadron; 958th Guard Squadron; 341st Sub-Depot; HQ, 411th Bombardment Group (Light).

In addition, Florence AAF controlled two auxiliary training bases for it's A-20 Training. Those were:

In early 1945, the airfield was transferred to First Air Force, and the 127th Army Air Forces Base unit (Combat Crew Training Station, Light) assumed the A-26 Invader training mission.

After the war the property was given back to the City of Florence on 31 October 1945, and later shared with Florence County.[1]

Operation of the airport was assigned to the Pee Dee Regional Airport Authority in 1999. The authority had nine representatives from the Pee Dee Regional Airport District, which includes the City of Florence, and the counties of Florence, Dillon and Marion.[1]

Facilities and aircraft

Florence Regional Airport covers an area of 1,436 acres (581 ha) which contains two asphalt paved runways: 1/19 measuring 5,999 x 150 ft (1,828 x 46 m) and 9/27 measuring 6,499 x 150 ft (1,981 x 46 m).[2]

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2006, the airport had 31,242 aircraft operations, an average of 85 per day: 77% general aviation, 16% air taxi and 7% military. At that time there were 52 aircraft based at this airport: 73% single-engine, 25% multi-engine and 2% jet.[2]

Airlines and destinations

Scheduled passenger service

Florence Air & Missile Museum

From the 1960's until 1997 Florence was the home to a large aviation museum known as the Florence Air & Missile Museum. When the Museum closed the collection was divided up and transfered to various other major aviation museums in the United States.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Florence Regional Airport, official site
  2. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for FLO PDF, effective 2007-12-20

External links

Stub icon 1 Stub icon 2

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