Bryan Cunningham

Fort Lauderdale Airport(FXE) Summary Field Report

 

PRESENTED BY

Contents Historical

Background Introduction Community Facilities Economic Impact Summary References

Historical Background In 1942, the US Navy had changed Merle Fogg Field into

Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale, and built two satellite landing fields, one at West Prospect Field, and the other in Pompano Beach. At the conclusion of WW II, the station trained US Navy pilots. Other facilities at Fort Lauderdale included radar and range finding schools and a base at Port Everglades (George, 1991). In 1946, West Prospect Field became Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, the eleventh-busiest general aviation airport in the country (Florida Aviation Systems Planning Process, June 2007).

Introduction FXE is regarded as a general aviation service with the

capability to serve all aircraft excluding major airlines and termed by the Federal Aviation Administration as a general aviation reliever service for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. It owns 447 hangers and its based aircraft comprise 369 single engine, 187 multi-engine, 115 Jets and 37 helicopters. It is situated on about 1,200 acres. "Based on itinerant operations," says Bennett, "the airport is the eighth busiest general aviation airport in the country. We handle close to 250,000 takeoffs and landings per year, making it one of the top five busiest general aviation airports in the United States."

Introduction FXE is also the centre for the city's Foreign-Trade Zone,

comprising just about 1,300 acres and offering businesses cost savings and economic motivations. The existing projects include a new corporate headquarters totaling about 30,000 sq feet of office and hangar space for certified flight training. Sheltair Aviation Facilities is modernizing and replacing services with the building of about 50,000 sq feet of hangar and office space, in addition to updating several existing services.

Community Facilities As well as supporting economic progress, FXE also became

home to many varied community-based activities. The U.S. Army Reserve Center's 841st Engineering Battalion is placed on the field. The Center is named for Sandy Nininger, a Fort Lauderdale resident and the first beneficiary of the Congressional Medal of Honor in W.W.II. The City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department owns Substation and a hangar at the FXE Airport. The Broward County Sheriff's Department manages its special operations, namely the aviation unit, marine patrol, bomb squad, and canine units at FXE Airport.

Community Facilities FXE also houses two fire stations. One is committed to aircraft

salvage and runs a modern 1500-gallon pump and roll vehicle however can also fight structural fires in the Uptown area. The other is situated in the Industrial Airpark and is utilized to fight building fires. Buehler Aviation Research, a subsidiary of a nationally recognized establishment, renovates airplanes for the Smithsonian foundation. The group refurbished the Howard Hughes Grumman Goose at present on exhibition at the Smithsonian and of late built a model of Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Electra. Moreover, Florida Atlantic University and Barry University impart educational programs from the services placed on the property.

Environmental Program FXE is also abode of two of Florida's rare species.

Gopher tortoises are mostly placed in a sheltered area on the north side of the FXE. The area is comprised of rare indigenous plants and serves as a refuge and nesting base for the rare animals. The other species is the Florida Burrowing Owl, which has nests spread all over the field. PVC pipes twisted "Ts" mark their nests in order that they are noticeable to the FXE Airport's maintenance crews and also provide as a place for the owls to settle on in the breeding season.

Environmental Program In an attempt to reduce disturbance to the owls, FXE

Airport plans its building projects so as not to impede with the owls' breeding or nesting seasons. FXE Airport's future prospects look bright as Wartsila, an international services company, newly became the first operator in the FXE airport's Foreign-Trade Zone. Improvements have also been made to the Downtown Fort Lauderdale John Fuhrer Helistop. FXE Airport all over its history continues to build upon its standing as the favorite choice for corporate and jet travel.

Summary Location City:  Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States Name: Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport ICAO / IATA: KFXE / FXE FAA: FXE FXE Airport is a part of the Business Enterprises

Department of the City of Fort Lauderdale. This division also renovates, control and support the

Downtown Helistop.

Summary FXE Airport is a City-owned and administered service;

nevertheless, no local taxpayer dollars are utilized in its operation.

Profits are accrued by land leases and fuel flowage fees. Additional income is used for capital improvement projects or placed in the Airport Enterprise Fund. No taxes finance the operations, repairs, or improvements of the airport.

FXE Airport tenants pay $2.8 million yearly in taxes. Nearly 22 % of these taxes are paid to the City of Fort Lauderdale. In addition, the airport pays more than $1 million per annum to the City for taxes.

Summary About 2 million people arrive into the area through FXE

Airport yearly. The FXE airport is open round the year with a 24-hour

FAA Air Traffic Control Tower. Two asphalt landing strips with a maximum gross

landing weight of 60,000 pounds. Landing strip 8/26 measures 6,000 feet by 100 feet and

has an Instrument Landing System. Airstrip 13/31 measures 4,000 by 100 feet.

Reference Florida Community Airports: Fort Lauderdale Executive

Airport (PDF). Continuing Florida Aviation Systems Planning Process (June 2007).

George, Paul S. (1991). “Submarines and Soldiers: Fort Lauderdale in World War II” Broward Legacy. Broward County Historical Commission) 14 (1 and 2): 2-14.

Reference McGoun, Bill. (1978). “A History of Broward County”,

Broward Legacy. Broward County Historical Commission. 2: 15-22.

McGreevey, Mary. (1995). “Missing Flight 19: An Enigma” Broward Legacy, Broward County Historical Commission 18 (1 and 2): 2-10.

Rosenberg, Howard L. (June 1974). “Exorcizing the Devil's Triangle” Sealift (no. 6): 11-15.