Draft EUG Master Plan Update, February 2010

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1 1 Ý¸¿°¬»® Background and Inventory This chapter provides background information on the Eugene Airport (EUG), and the context in which it functions. This information is presented in the following sections. Introduction Facilities Inventory Airspace and Air Traffic Control Socioeconomic Trends Aviation Activity This information provides base data to be used in subsequent analyses. This chapter will be supplemented by additional data gathered during the course of the study. 1. Introduction 1.1 History Aviation has a strong history in the Eugene area. The Eugene Air Park, the City’s first municipal airport, was established in 1919. This airport was located on Chambers Street and was the first municipally-owned airport on the West Coast. As activity began to increase at the Eugene Air Park, the need for a new, more modern airport was championed by a local businessman, Mr. Mahlon Sweet. Mahlon Sweet Field was dedicated on May 1, 1943, after Mr. Sweet convinced city officials that improved airport facilities were necessary to support the community’s aviation needs. In 1943, commercial service at Mahlon Sweet Field was first initiated by United Airlines using DC-3 aircraft. The Eugene Air Park was closed thirteen years later in 1956, and the area’s general aviation activity was transferred to Mahlon Sweet Field. Both commercial service and general aviation activity have since been supported by Eugene Airport at Mahlon Sweet Field, and EUG has become an invaluable asset to the Eugene/Springfield area. In 1964, a new terminal building was built at EUG, and the airfield was upgraded to accommodate jet aircraft. In response to rapidly increasing activity levels that occurred in the early 1980's, an airport improvement program was initiated, including construction of an expanded modern terminal (known as the Mahlon Sweet Terminal), a new airport traffic control tower, the construction of a new automobile parking facility, and extensive landscaping of Airport grounds. This improvement program enhanced the safety, capacity, efficiency, and appearance of the Airport, and made it one of the finest airport facilities in the State of Oregon. Over the past decade, many more improvements were made at the Airport, also enhancing safety and operational efficiency. This includes a new 6,000 foot long parallel air carrier runway, Runway 16L/34R (with a Category I instrument landing system), upgrades of primary Runway 16R/34L to a 1-1 Eugene Airport Master Plan Update (February 2010)