Shannon Airport (Virginia) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shannon Airport
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
| Owner/Operator | Private | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Fredericksburg, Virginia | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 85 ft / 26 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 38°15′58″N 077°26′57″W / 38.26611°N 77.44917°W | ||||||||||||||
| Website | http://www.shannonezf.com/ | ||||||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||||||
 EZF
Location in Virginia
EZF
Location in the United States
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Shannon Airport (ICAO: KEZF, FAA LID: EZF) is a public airport in Fredericksburg, Virginia, United States. It was opened in October 1950 by Sidney L. Shannon Jr. He named it to honor his father, Sidney Shannon Sr., who was an early investor in Eastern Airlines. This airport serves many different types of aircraft.
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What You'll Find at Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport covers about 62 acres of land. It is right next to a famous American Civil War battlefield. As of 2019, many aircraft call this airport home. These include 85 single-engine planes and 5 multi-engine planes. You can also find 2 helicopters, 2 ultralights, and one glider here.
The airport has two runways. One is made of grass and is 1,300 feet long. The other is asphalt and measures 2,999 feet. Shannon Airport offers full fuel services for planes. It also has a restaurant, a gift shop, and a flight school. This is where people can learn how to fly!
Shannon Airport's Civil War Past
A big part of the Battle of Fredericksburg happened right where Shannon Airport is today. A ditch near one of the runways was a very important spot during the battle. Soldiers fought bravely there before one side had to retreat.
Artillery, which are large guns, were placed where the airport's main building now stands. When the taxiway was replaced, workers found many old items. These included buttons, musket balls, and artillery shells from the Civil War. Many of these cool artifacts are now on display at the Shannon Air Museum.
The Shannon Air Museum
Shannon Airport is also home to the Shannon Air Museum. It first opened its doors in 1976. The museum shows off amazing aircraft from the "Golden Age" of flying. One special plane you can see is the last remaining Vultee V-1. Other cool planes include the Pitcairn Mailwing and the Curtiss Robin.
After its founder, Sid Shannon Jr., passed away in 1981, the museum's collection moved. It went to the Virginia Aviation Museum in Richmond. But in June 2017, volunteers worked hard to bring the collection back. The Shannon Air Museum reopened, giving these historic planes a new home. This happened after the Virginia Aviation Museum closed because its building was getting old.
Important Safety Information
Airports are busy places, and safety is always the top priority. Sometimes, accidents happen, and it's important to learn from them. Here are some past events at Shannon Airport:
- On June 15, 1980, a parachute jumper from the U.S. Army's Golden Knights team had a tragic accident during an airshow. Both of his parachutes did not open, and he fell from a very high altitude.
- On September 29, 2012, a small plane called a Cessna 150M crashed shortly after takeoff. The pilot lost control of the plane, and both people on board passed away. Investigators found that the pilot's judgment was affected.
- On July 22, 2013, another small plane, a Cessna 172M, crashed. The pilot, who was the only person in the plane, passed away. It was determined that the pilot intentionally crashed the plane.
- On August 12, 2016, a Beechcraft T-42A plane crashed while trying to land. All six people on board passed away. Investigators found that the pilots did not keep enough speed during the landing attempt. This caused the plane to lose lift and fall.
These events remind everyone involved with aviation how important it is to follow safety rules and procedures.
