1. History
    Continued growth  Expansion 

2. Facilities and Aircraft
    Facilities  Runways  Aircraft 

3. Airlines and destinations
    Passenger  Cargo 

4. Statistics
    Top destinations  Passenger 

5. Military use

6. Incidents And Accidents

7. See also

8. References

9. External links

Williamsport Regional Airport {{airport codes|IPT^[2]|KIPT|IPT}} is the primary public towered commercial airport that serves Williamsport, Pennsylvania and the surrounding area with a population of about 200,000. The airport serves about 40,000 passengers annually.

The airport is located five miles east of Williamsport, in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania. It is owned by the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority.^[1] The airport consists of two runways 9/27 and 12/30 both being Asphalt surfaced. One airline operates flights using Embraer 145 aircraft, also FedEx Feeder fly routes out of Williamsport Regional Airport. Williamsport Regional Airport is a full service commercial aviation service facility serving north central Pennsylvania since 1929. The airport is home to Energy Aviation LLC that provides general aviation services and is the operator of its special terminal, commonly known in aviation parlance as a Fixed Base Operator (FBO).

In 2016 County, state and federal Officials okayed a plan for over $75 million of improvements to the airport including airfield and building improvements. In late 2017 the airport began work on a brand new terminal building with seating for 150, limited food options, updated security features and a passenger loading bridge.

History

In 1928 the Williamsport Civil Aviation Authority was looking for a location to build a commercial aviation airport near Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The airport company, with help from the Chamber of Commerce and the City of Williamsport, sold hundreds of shares of stock at $100 each until it had raised about $75,000, enough to buy 161 acres of a family farm in Montoursville. Then in late 1928, with approval from state and federal government officials, the airport company was granted a Charter.^[6]

On April 25, 1993, Thomas L. Knauff set an FAI world record flying a glider on an out-and-return course of {{convert|1646.68|km|mi|abbr=on}}, releasing from tow over this airport, then flying along the Appalachian Mountains to Corryton, Tennessee, and returning for a landing 10 hours later. This world record stood for almost 20 years, and was only recently broken in Argentina, but is still a national record.^[7]

TWA and United dropped IPT in 1965-66, leaving Allegheny Airlines. For a year or two 1974-75 Allegheny flew BAC One-Elevens and Douglas DC-9-30s Pittsburgh to Williamsport; few or no jets at IPT since then. Scheduled flights were reduced in the 1980s, 1990s, and in 2004 when US Airways' regional turboprop affiliate ended flights to Pittsburgh International Airport. As of June 2016, American Eagle typically has 3 flights a day to Philadelphia.

In 2009 the Airport authority as well as city leaders announced a $3 million budget to do minor renovation to the existing terminal, update tax-exempt and runway lighting and widen taxiways. The project was completed in the fall of 2011.

The Williamsport Regional Association of Pilots holds a Fly-In every June. From 1996 to 2013 Williamsport Regional Airport held an Air Show and Ballonfest at the airport. Drawing large numbers from the area. Some of the most well-known aircraft to arrive at the airport are the following: B-17, 193d Special Operations Wing's EJ-130J and the EC-130 Commando Solo

On May 14, the airport held an open house and airshow on the grounds. One of the aircraft that was at the show was the "Spirit of Freedom" Douglas C-54 Skymaster used in the Berlin Blockade (or Berlin Airlift). Also an Ex-FedEx Express Boeing 727 now an aircraft classroom for Pennsylvania College of Technology, and a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, Douglas SBD Dauntless and many more.

Continued growth

As of June 2017, the airport had four airlines, two of which were seasonal charter and two main passenger airlines. Allegiant Airlines fly seasonal flights to IPT with its Boeing 757-200 aircraft the largest passenger plane the airport has seen. And Sun Country Airlines fly Boeing 737-800s sparsely throughout the summer months.

Expansion

In 2016, the Williamsport Municipal Airport Authority began the bidding process for building a new $15.9 million terminal which they plan to open by the end of 2017.^[8] Also a grant of $798,000 was given to the airport which installed a new glide slope system, access road and repainted airfield taxiway and runway lines.

After a short delay in the approval process in April 2017 contracts were awarded to local construction companies to complete the project. The new terminal will be built alongside the existing terminal and will feature a jet bridge to load passengers. Then the old terminal will be torn down for more parking opportunities. The build is scheduled to begin the first week in July and will take an estimated 14 to 16 months to complete.

Facilities and Aircraft

Facilities

The airport covers {{convert|535|acres|ha}} at an elevation of {{convert|528|ft|m}}. It has two asphalt runways: 9/27 is {{convert|6,825|by|150|ft|m}}, and runway 12/30 is {{convert|4,273|by|150|ft|m}}.^[1]

In 2016 the airport had 33,019 aircraft movements an average of 90 per day: 70% general aviation, 19% air taxi, 9% airline and 2% military. And of the 51 based aircraft 32 are single engine, 10 are multi-engine, 7 jet engine and 2 helicopter.

The airport has one terminal built in 1947 where all commercial flights arrive and depart. Also, the airport is home to Energy Aviation a fixed-base operator. There are multiple aircraft hangers and the headquarters to Life Flight air ambulance service. The airport is also home to Pennsylvania College of Technology Air Mechanics and Aerospace building.

Runways

IPT has two active runways, the longest (9/27) being {{convert|6825|ft|m}} and 12/30 being {{convert|4273|ft|m}} the two runways intersect on the Eastern side of the airport.

Aircraft

• American Airlines operated by Piedmont Airlines operates Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft.
• FedEx Feeder operates Cessna 208 Caravan cargo aircraft year round.
• General Aviation aircraft consist of the usual Cessnas, Piper Cubs and other aircraft. Over the past 15 years, the airport General aviation multi-engine and jet population have steadily grown. It's common to see multiple Hawker 400s, Learjets of all types and numerous different types of GA jets and props are seen at IPT.
• Pennsylvania State Police Aviation operated helicopters and fixed wing aircraft from IPT such as Bell 407 helicopters and C208B fixed-wing airplanes. They have since moved to Hazelton.
• Life Flight Air Ambulance Pennsylvania operates a Eurocopter-Kawasaki EC-145 (BK-117C-2) for rescue and air ambulance transports throughout the area.

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

Cargo

Statistics

Top destinations

Passenger

Military use

IPT is not designated as a military airport as it doesn't have any military aircraft or Pennsylvania Air National Guard based on premise. However the PA Air National Guard and Air Force use the airport for some training exercises over the course of the year. Mostly from Harrisburg, Fort Indiantown Gap or the air reserve station in Pittsburgh they mostly perform TGL maneuvers and re-fueling stops due to its low commercial traffic and up to date facilities.

At times United States Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules, C-17 Globemaster and AC-130 Gunship have performed TGL's at IPT from multiple air bases on the East coast.

Incidents And Accidents

• On December 1, 1959 Allegheny Airlines Flight 371 — a Martin 2-0-2 crashed into a mountain on approach about 1.3 miles outside of South Williamsport killing all but one of the 26 passengers and crew on board making it the deadliest air disaster in Pennsylvnia State history, until USAir Flight 427. The accident was caused by low cloud ceiling and foggy conditions causing the pilots to not know where they were flying. There were two contributing factors in the crash: after the investigation the FAA found that the airline or pilots never should have taken off, but did because they were already delayed and wanted to try to make up for lost time. The second factor was determined to be Pilot Error because the pilots did not realize their altitude.^[10]
• On April 4, 1991 Merion air disaster — a Sunbell Aviation Helicopters Bell 412 collided Mid-Air with a Piper Aerostar which was flying from Williamsport to Northeast Philadelphia Airport. The Piper was carrying United States Senator of Pennsylvania H. John Heinz III when it collided over Merion Elementary School in Lower Merion Township. All aboard both aircraft, as well as two children at the school, were killed. The helicopter had been dispatched to investigate a problem with the landing gear of Heinz's plane. While moving in for a closer look, the helicopter collided with the plane, causing both aircraft to lose control and crash. The subsequent NTSB investigation attributed the cause of the crash to poor judgment by the pilots of the two aircraft involved.^[11][12]
• On December 22, 2015 at 8:45 a.m. a Porter Airlines flight with 66 on board was diverted to Williamsport Regional Airport due to reports of thick smoke in the cockpit and cabin. The flight from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Washington Dulles International Airport had to make an emergency landing in Williamsport. Two crew members were taken to Williamsport Regional Medical Center to be checked out due to smoke inhalation. The sixty six passengers were taken to the terminal to be cleared by customs and then were able to leave airport grounds. The next day Porter Airlines brought a new Dash 8 400 to continue the passengers to Washington D.C.^[13][14][15]

See also

• William T. Piper Memorial Airport
• List of airports in Pennsylvania
• Allegheny Airlines Flight 371

References

External links

• Williamsport Regional Airport, official web site
• Williamsport Regional Airport at Pennsylvania DOT Bureau of Aviation
• Williamsport Regional Association of Pilots
• Aerial image as of April 1993 from USGS The National Map
• {{FAA-diagram|00457}}
• {{FAA-procedures|IPT}}

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