Martin State Airport

Martin State Airport. It is a public-use airport owned by the Maryland Department of Transportation and located in Baltimore County, just east of the city of Baltimore. Primarily serving general aviation, the airport also hosts military operations and has a significant history tied to the Glenn L. Martin Company. The facility features two asphalt runways and serves as a base for the Maryland Air National Guard.

History

The airport's origins date to 1929 when aviation pioneer Glenn L. Martin relocated his Glenn L. Martin Company manufacturing operations to the site, establishing it as a major production center for military aircraft. During World War II, the facility was crucial, producing bombers like the Martin B-26 Marauder and the Martin PBM Mariner for the United States Army Air Forces and the United States Navy. Following the war, the company continued developing significant aircraft, including the Martin 4-0-4 airliner and the pioneering Martin P6M SeaMaster jet-powered seaplane. In 1961, the Glenn L. Martin Company merged with the American-Marietta Corporation to form Martin Marietta, and the site's ownership eventually transferred to the state. The Maryland Air National Guard's 175th Wing has been a permanent tenant since 1975, operating the A-10 Thunderbolt II.

Facilities

The airport covers 747 acres at an elevation of 21 feet above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: Runway 5/23 measures 5,000 by 150 feet and Runway 15/33 is 4,200 by 100 feet. The primary fixed-base operator is Runway 5-23 Aviation, which provides fueling, maintenance, hangar space, and flight instruction. The airport is home to the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum, which preserves the history of the Glenn L. Martin Company and Maryland aviation. Major tenants include the Maryland Air National Guard, the Maryland State Police Aviation Division, and the United States Coast Guard, which utilizes the facility for logistics and support missions in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Airlines and destinations

Martin State Airport has no scheduled commercial passenger airline service. Its primary aviation activities consist of general aviation, corporate flight operations, and military flights. The airport serves as an important reliever for Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and is used by various private charter companies and flight schools. Cargo operations are limited, though the facility supports logistics for the based military units and occasional special freight flights.

Accidents and incidents

On April 6, 2000, a Beechcraft King Air operated by AirNet Systems crashed shortly after takeoff, killing the pilot; the National Transportation Safety Board cited spatial disorientation in instrument meteorological conditions as a cause. A notable military incident occurred on May 7, 2004, when an A-10 Thunderbolt II from the Maryland Air National Guard experienced an engine fire after takeoff; the pilot successfully ejected and the aircraft crashed in an unpopulated area near Fork. On December 8, 2008, a Cessna 210 crashed during approach in poor weather, resulting in one fatality, with the NTSB determining the probable cause was the pilot's failure to maintain airspeed.

See also

* Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport * Glenn L. Martin Company * Maryland Air National Guard * List of airports in Maryland

Category:Airports in Maryland Category:Baltimore County, Maryland Category:Airports established in 1929