Venango Regional Airport

Venango Regional Airport is a public airport located in Franklin, Pennsylvania, serving Venango County, Pennsylvania, and is owned by the Venango County government. The airport is situated near the Allegheny River and is close to the City of Franklin, which is the county seat of Venango County. The airport provides access to various destinations, including Pittsburgh International Airport and Erie International Airport, through flights operated by Sun Air Express and other carriers. The airport is also used by Corporate Air, Med-Trans Corporation, and other aviation companies for charter and medical transport services.

● Overview

The airport is classified as a general aviation airport and serves the Northwest Pennsylvania region, including Crawford County, Pennsylvania, Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and Warren County, Pennsylvania. The airport has a single asphalt runway, designated as Runway 19/1, which is 5,000 feet long and 100 feet wide. The airport is equipped with a precision approach path indicator and a rotating beacon to guide aircraft during landing and takeoff. The airport is also home to several fixed-base operators, including Venango Aviation and Northwest Pennsylvania Aviation, which provide fuel, maintenance, and other services to aircraft.

● History

The airport was established in 1935 as a small grass strip and was later developed into a full-fledged airport with a paved runway and other facilities. During World War II, the airport was used by the United States Army Air Forces as a training base for P-47 Thunderbolt and B-17 Flying Fortress pilots. The airport was also used by the Civil Air Patrol for search and rescue missions. In the 1950s and 1960s, the airport was served by Allegheny Airlines and Lake Central Airlines, which provided scheduled passenger service to Pittsburgh International Airport and other destinations. The airport has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the construction of a new terminal building and the extension of the runway to its current length.

● Facilities

The airport has a single terminal building that provides passenger facilities, including a waiting area, restrooms, and a snack bar. The airport also has a fixed-base operator building that houses the offices of Venango Aviation and other aviation companies. The airport has a fuel farm that provides avgas and jet fuel to aircraft, as well as a maintenance hangar that provides repair and maintenance services. The airport is also equipped with a weather station that provides current weather conditions and forecasts to pilots. The airport is served by several taxi companies, including Yellow Cab and Uber, which provide transportation to and from the airport.

● Operations

The airport is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provides a range of services to aircraft, including fueling, maintenance, and parking. The airport is staffed by a team of experienced air traffic controllers and airport managers who ensure the safe and efficient operation of the airport. The airport is also home to several flight schools, including Venango Flight School and Northwest Pennsylvania Flight School, which provide flight training to students. The airport is used by a variety of aircraft, including Cessna 172s, Piper PA-28s, and Beechcraft Bonanzas, as well as larger aircraft such as Cessna 208 Caravans and Beechcraft King Airs.

● Statistics

The airport handles approximately 10,000 aircraft operations per year, including general aviation flights, air taxi flights, and military flights. The airport is a popular destination for recreational pilots and business travelers, and provides access to several nearby attractions, including Oil Heritage Region, DeBence Antique Music World, and Franklin Historic District. The airport is also used by several medical transport companies, including Med-Trans Corporation and Air Methods, which provide emergency medical services to patients in the region. The airport's economic impact on the region is significant, with an estimated annual contribution of $10 million to the local economy of Pennsylvania. The airport is also an important hub for cargo transport, with several cargo airlines, including FedEx Express and UPS Airlines, operating at the airport.