Bowman Field
Bowman Field is Kentucky's first commercial airport and is the oldest
continually operating commercial airfield in North America. It was
founded by Abram H. Bowman, who formed a
brief partnership with Robert H. Gast, a pilot and World War I
veteran.
Bowman leased a parcel of land from the U.S. Government in 1919 to operate the airfield It opened in 1921. became Bowman and partner W. Sidney Park began the Bowman-Park Aero Company in May 1921, one of the first firms to specialize in aerial photography. The 465th Pursuit Squadron (Reserve) began operations at Bowman Field in 1922.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Eastern Air Lines, Trans World Airlines (TWA) and Continental Airlines operated passenger and mail service in and out of Bowman Field. Commercial airline service continued until 1947 when operations were transferred to Standiford Field.
During World War II, Bowman Field was one of the nation's most important training bases as well as the nation's busiest airport. The United States Army Air Forces' school for flight surgeons, medical technicians, and flight nurses also called Bowman Field home. See photos of Flight Nurses of the Medical Air Evacuation Squadrons (MAES) at the end of the gallery.
The airport covers 426 acres. Bowman Field is operated by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which also operates Louisville International Airport. For 12-month period ending 23 September 2013 the airport averaged 203 aircraft operations, per day.
Bowman leased a parcel of land from the U.S. Government in 1919 to operate the airfield It opened in 1921. became Bowman and partner W. Sidney Park began the Bowman-Park Aero Company in May 1921, one of the first firms to specialize in aerial photography. The 465th Pursuit Squadron (Reserve) began operations at Bowman Field in 1922.
During the 1920s and 1930s, Eastern Air Lines, Trans World Airlines (TWA) and Continental Airlines operated passenger and mail service in and out of Bowman Field. Commercial airline service continued until 1947 when operations were transferred to Standiford Field.
During World War II, Bowman Field was one of the nation's most important training bases as well as the nation's busiest airport. The United States Army Air Forces' school for flight surgeons, medical technicians, and flight nurses also called Bowman Field home. See photos of Flight Nurses of the Medical Air Evacuation Squadrons (MAES) at the end of the gallery.
The airport covers 426 acres. Bowman Field is operated by the Louisville Regional Airport Authority, which also operates Louisville International Airport. For 12-month period ending 23 September 2013 the airport averaged 203 aircraft operations, per day.
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