Hanscom Field facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laurence G. Hanscom Field
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USGS 2006 orthophoto
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public / military | ||||||||||||||
| Operator | Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Bedford, Massachusetts | ||||||||||||||
| Opened | June 26, 1941 | ||||||||||||||
| Focus city for | Tailwind Air Service | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | EST (UTC-05:00:00) | ||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-04:00:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 132 ft / 40 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 42°28′12″N 071°17′20″W / 42.47000°N 71.28889°W | ||||||||||||||
| Website | www.hanscomfield.com | ||||||||||||||
| Maps | |||||||||||||||
 FAA airport diagram as of January 2021 |
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 BED
Location in Massachusetts
BED
Location in the United States
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Source: Federal Aviation Administration
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Laurence G. Hanscom Field (IATA: BED, ICAO: KBED, FAA LID: BED), commonly known as Hanscom Field, is a public use airport operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority, located 14 mi (12 nmi; 23 km) outside Boston in Bedford, Massachusetts, United States.
Hanscom is mainly a general aviation airport, the largest in New England. Both runways can accommodate jets, and are used by Hanscom Air Force Base, a defense-research facility next to Hanscom Field. It is a popular training airport, with more than 40 rental aircraft on the field. The Civil Air Terminal building hosts two flight schools. Transient general aviation planes are served by three FBOs: Jet Aviation, Rectrix Aviation, and Signature Flight Support.
Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 10,956 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2017. It is in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2021–2025, in which the FAA categories it as a non-primary commercial service airport (between 2,500 and 10,000 enplanements per year).
The field serves aircraft from Piper Cubs to Gulfstream V jets. The events of September 11 caused a number of changes to general aviation in the US (see Airport security repercussions due to the September 11 attacks). Hanscom Field saw changes implemented by Massport that included security fees, identification cards, and a requirement for propeller locks.
Contents
Facilities and aircraft
Hanscom Field covers 1,125 acres (455 ha) at an elevation of 132 feet (40 m) above mean sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 11/29 is 7,011 by 150 feet (2,137 x 46 m) and 5/23 is 5,107 by 150 feet (1,557 x 46 m).
In 2010 the airport had 163,421 aircraft operations, average 447 per day: 88% general aviation, 11% air taxi, 1% military, and <1% scheduled commercial. 282 aircraft were then based at this airport: 70% single-engine, 7% multi-engine, 20% jet, and 4% helicopter.
In 2008, and many years prior, Hanscom has handled the second most aircraft movements of any airport in New England (Boston-Logan is number one). On a nice weekend day the traffic pattern gets so busy the tower is known to close the traffic pattern and only allow full stop landings.
Hanscom's traffic is primarily business jets and general aviation aircraft.
Airlines and destinations
From 1999 until 2003, Shuttle America, a Connecticut-based regional airline, operated scheduled service from the airfield, carrying more than 10,000 passengers each month to airports in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania using De Havilland Dash 8 and Saab 340 aircraft. Soon after US Airways Express pulled out, Pan Am Clipper Connection began servicing the airport using Jetstream 31 aircraft. Clipper flights connected Hanscom Field with Pease Airport in Portsmouth, NH and Trenton-Mercer Airport in NJ.
In its final years, Clipper would add flights to Ithaca Airport in Western NY from Hanscom. Even with this new route, however, Clipper could never draw the numbers it needed to remain profitable. The Airline was forced to cease operation in 2008 by the FAA for lack of funding and management. This left Hanscom Field without scheduled airline service for the first time in a decade. While there is still some community opposition, Hanscom has shown its usefulness as a gateway for Boston-area travelers. This has since attracted the new Trenton-based airline Streamline Air to start its first public charter route to Hanscom using 30 seat Embraer 120 Brasília aircraft, beginning with two daily round trips on weekdays. Streamline ceased operations as of September 15, 2012.
Ground transportation
Hanscom can be reached by car by following Route 2A west from exit 30B on I-95/Route 128. It is serviced by the MBTA's Route 76 bus from Alewife Station in Cambridge.
Notable events at Hanscom Field
In September 1964, The Beatles arrived at Hanscom Field aboard a chartered aircraft during one of their American concert tours. They were making an appearance at Boston Garden the following day. It was felt that the immense popularity of the British singing group would cause congestion at Boston-Logan International Airport, so this alternative airport was selected.
On 24 November 1988, George Koskotas, who fled Greece after being indicted on five counts of forgery and embezzlement, was apprehended by the FBI at Hanscom Field after landing in a private jet with his family.
On June 2, 2017, actor Harrison Ford landed at Hanscom prior to spending the weekend in Boston.
Movies/scenes filmed at Hanscom Field
- What's The Worst That Could Happen? (2001)
- The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
- Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009)
- Edge of Darkness (2010)
Images for kids
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2015 aerial view of Hanscom Field
