Gettysburg Regional Airport

Gettysburg Regional Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerSusquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority
Location1130 Chambersburg Road, PA 17325, Adams County Gettysburg Pennsylvania
Elevation AMSL590 ft (180 m)
Coordinates39°50′39″N 77°16′18″W / 39.84417°N 77.27167°W / 39.84417; -77.27167
Interactive map of Gettysburg Regional Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
6/24 3,100 945 Asphalt

Gettysburg Regional Airport (IATA: GTY, FAA LID: W05), formerly known as the Gettysburg Airport and Travel Center and as Doersom Airport, is a general aviation airport located two miles (4 km) west of Gettysburg, in Cumberland Township,[1] Adams County, Pennsylvania. The airport is situated approximately 38 miles (61 km) south of Harrisburg. The airport is roughly 47 acres (190,000 m2) in area.

History

The airport was established by Charles Francis Doersom in 1928. Doersom hoped to attract commercial services, but initially the field opened as a general aviation facility supporting parachute operations, flight training and aircraft maintenance.[2] It is located on roughly 47 acres (190,000 m2) in Cumberland Township, Pennsylvania. On August 25, 2006, the Susquehanna Area Regional Airport Authority acquired the airport and changed its official name.[3]

Doug Hughes gyrocopter flight

On April 15, 2015 postal worker Douglas Hughes towed a gyrocopter to the airport and took off on a flight to the United States Capitol. He carried 535 letters which he intended to deliver to each member of Congress in protest over campaign financing corruption. Hughes was arrested on landing, prompting the United States Secret Service and large numbers of law enforcement officers to swarm the airport, seizing Hughes' vehicle and trailer.[4] The incident highlighted serious concerns about the security of and monitoring of protected airspace as Hughes was able to take-off from Gettysburg undetected,[5] prompting a Joint Senate Committee to call for changes to penalties and procedures in the event of intentional incursions.[6]

Facilities

Gettysburg Regional Airport has one runway:

  • Runway 6/24: 3,100 x 60 ft (945 x 18 m), Surface: Asphalt
  • Partial taxiway on either side of the runway provides access to the hangar areas and fuel farm.
  • Landside facilities include four hangar units, 18,682 sq ft (2,075.8 sq yd; 1,735.6 m2) of hangar space.

Accidents and incidents

On April 15, 2015 postal worker Douglas Hughes towed a gyrocopter to the airport and took off on a flight to the United States Capitol. He carried 535 letters which he intended to deliver to each member of Congress in protest over campaign financing corruption. Hughes was arrested on landing, prompting the United States Secret Service and large numbers of law enforcement officers to swarm the airport, seizing Hughes' vehicle and trailer.[4]

Statistics

  • 9,600 total aircraft operations for 2005

See also

References

  1. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Cumberland township, PA" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. p. 1 (PDF p. 2/3). Retrieved October 19, 2024. Gettysburg Regional Arprt
  2. ↑ Michael Cooper-White (February 3, 2018). "Gettysburg Airport turns 90, local pilots have high hopes". The Gettysburg Times. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  3. ↑ "About the Gettysburg Regional Airport". SARAA. 2007. Retrieved February 2, 2007.
  4. 1 2 Jennifer Wentz (April 16, 2015). "Official: Gyrocopter pilot did nothing illegal at Gettysburg airport". Hannover Evening Sun. Retrieved July 23, 2026.
  5. ↑ Evan Perez (August 6, 2015). "Senate finds missteps in gyrocopter flight". CNN. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Capital Airspace Security Breach: Inquiry into the Landing of a Gyrocopter on the Capitol Lawn". Congressional Oversight Records Database. United States Senate. August 5, 2015.
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