Tanner–Hiller Airport
Tanner–Hiller Airport | |||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Operator | Leonard A. Tanner Estate | ||||||||||
| Location | Barre, Massachusetts | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 584 ft / 178 m | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°21′23.0000″N 72°07′48.3000″W / 42.356388889°N 72.130083333°W | ||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||
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Tanner–Hiller Airport, (ICAO: K8B5, FAA LID: 8B5) in Barre, Massachusetts, is a public airport owned by the G&C Group of Acton, MA, who purchased the field from the Leonard A. Tanner Estate in May of 2017. It has one runway, averages 30 flights per week, and has approximately 25 aircraft and gliders based on the field.[1] During the summer months the airport is home to hang gliding operations and extensive ultralight activity. The airport sits adjacent to the Ware River and near to the town of New Braintree.
History
The airport began operations in 1946, and is named after two of its owners, Fred and Catherine Hiller, and Leonard Tanner. The airport was originally opened by the Hillers. After Fred died, Catherine continued to develop a flight school business at the airport, both as an instructor and as an FAA examiner. A series of different owners passed through between 1973 and 1980, until Leonard Tanner bought it. One of the more interesting aircraft that has called the airport home was the prototype of the Lockheed YO-3A quiet observation aircraft, a type later used during the Vietnam War. It too was restored in a hangar at the airport before moving on.[2] Leonard Tanner died in 1998 and his estate has continued to operate the airport. The airport in recent years has been deteriorating which is especially noticed in the poor runway surface. The surroundings however are still picturesque. There are no services provided at the airport as of November 2015. In its heyday the airport was home to many activities and businesses. Camping, swimming, a fine restaurant, and aircraft maintenance were once part of daily operations. Fuel sales also ceased in 2015. In May of 2017, after many years for sale, the airport was purchased for a reported $1.1 million USD by G&C Group, a subsidiary of a large flight school in China. The new owners plan to open a helicopter school after some years. [3]
Services
Hang Glide New England is a hang gliding tandem and instruction business that operates between May and October. The Silver Wings Ultralight Club is also very active and occupies the west hangar.
References
- ^ Atlantic Flyer, aflyer.com, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
- ^ G&C Group, gcgroupusa.com, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
External links
- Resources for this airport:
- FAA airport information for 8B5
- AirNav airport information for 8B5
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- SkyVector aeronautical chart for 8B5
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