Peoria Station

(Originally posted on peoriastation.com March 26, 2017) The last post in this series on PIA (Peoria Int'l Airport) covered the 1958-1960 period, detailing the new terminal which opened in May 1959. Airline schedules from the Official Airline Guide, January 1960 edition, were included. I’ll now analyze 1960-1964. The new terminal brought optimism that the 1960s would bring larger aircraft and more flights. Indeed, the Peoria Journal Star reported on May 13, 1959 that American Airlines might replace its 40-seat Convair 240s with 70-seat DC-6s and eventually the new turboprop Lockheed Electra. Likewise, Trans World Airlines intended to phase out its 40-seat Martin 404s in favor of 81-seat Lockheed Constellations. This optimism shattered when Trans World Airlines announced on January 13, 1960 plans to drop Peoria from its network. Then American Airlines made a similar announcement March 9 that year. As a courtesy to TWA’s 13 years of service, Peoria industry did not oppos

(Originally posted on peoriastation.com October 11, 2016) The last post in this series covered the period between 1950 and 1956. This one covers the ensuing two years. That’s because a lot happened, which set the stage for decades to come. LONGER RUNWAY FOR ANG JET FIGHTERS Runway 12-30, with a northwest-southeast orientation, opened with 4002′ x 100′ dimensions. In 1947, it was extended to 5000′ and widened to 150′ for operations by the 169th’s P-51 Mustangs. As early as 1948, a USAF general suggested ANG would soon obtain jet fighters, requiring at least 6000′ runway length. At first, the airport’s 3600′ northeast-southwest runway (4-22) was to be lengthened to 4800′ or 5000′. Unfortunately, issues with mining subsidence and airfield funding delayed these projects, and by the time they were solved, the Korean War consumed funding and supplies which would have enabled runway expansion. Another issue was Monroe School, which would have to relocate if 4-22 were extend