Farley-Lamb Field

Farley-Lamb Field. It is a public-use airport located three nautical miles southwest of the central business district of Edenton, North Carolina, a historic town in the Inner Banks region. Owned by the Town of Edenton, the airport serves general aviation and supports local economic and emergency service activities. The facility is named in honor of two prominent local aviators, contributing to the aviation history of North Carolina.

History

The airport was established in 1965 to support growing aviation needs in the Albemarle Region. Its development was championed by local officials and aviation enthusiasts, including the individuals for whom the field is named. For decades, it has been a vital asset for Chowan County, facilitating travel and commerce less than an hour's flight from major hubs like Norfolk International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The field's history is intertwined with the agricultural and maritime heritage of the Inner Banks, providing a link for business and tourism to destinations such as the Historic Edenton State Historic Site.

Facilities and infrastructure

The airport covers 67 acres at an elevation of 20 feet above mean sea level. It has one asphalt runway designated 5/23, measuring 3,004 by 60 feet, which can accommodate small piston-engine and turboprop aircraft. The field does not have an air traffic control tower, operating instead as a non-towered facility under Federal Aviation Administration guidelines. Available amenities include tiedowns and a small terminal building, with aviation fuel services provided for based aircraft. The infrastructure supports flight training, corporate travel, and medical evacuation flights coordinated with services like EastCare.

Operations and based units

Primary operations consist of general aviation, including private pilot activity, aerial application for local farms, and charter services. The airport is a base for several single-engine aircraft and is frequently used by visitors to the Chowan University campus and the Edenton National Fish Hatchery. It also hosts the local Civil Air Patrol squadron, which conducts search and rescue and cadet training missions. The facility is crucial for emergency management, providing a potential staging area for the North Carolina National Guard and disaster response agencies during events like Hurricane Isabel.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has experienced a limited number of aviation accidents, typical for a facility of its size and traffic level. Incidents have generally involved minor landing mishaps or mechanical failures during takeoff, with investigations conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board. One notable accident occurred in the 1990s involving a Piper Cherokee that overran the runway, resulting in property damage but no fatalities. These events have informed local safety advocacy and pilot education programs in cooperation with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

See also

* List of airports in North Carolina * General aviation in the United States * North Carolina Department of Transportation Aviation Division * Historic Albemarle Tour

Category:Airports in North Carolina Category:Chowan County, North Carolina Category:Buildings and structures in North Carolina Category:1965 establishments in North Carolina