Grider Field


Grider Field is a public airport five miles southeast of Pine Bluff, in Jefferson County, Arkansas. The FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2009–2013 categorized it as a general aviation airport.

Facilities

Grider Field covers at an elevation of 206 feet. Its one runway, 18/36, is 5,998 by 150 feet.
In the year ending May 31, 2009 the airport had 39,875 aircraft operations, average 109 per day: 94% general aviation, 5% military and 1% air taxi. 50 aircraft were then based at the airport: 84% single-engine, 12% multi-engine and 4% ultralight.

History

Opened in April 1941 with 6,300' x 6,380' open turf field. Began training United States Army Air Corps flying cadets in under contract to Pine Bluff School of Aviation. Assigned to United States Army Air Forces Gulf Coast Training Center as a primary pilot training airfield. Had five auxiliary airfields assigned for emergency and overflow landings. Flying training was performed with Fairchild PT-19s as the primary trainer. Also had several PT-17 Stearmans and a few P-40 Warhawks assigned. Also provided flexible gunnery training.
Inactivated on 30 November 1944 with the drawdown of AAFTC's pilot training program. Declared surplus and turned over to the Army Corps of Engineers on 30 September 1945. Eventually discharged to the War Assets Administration and returned to being a civil airport.
Trans-Texas DC-3s started landing at Pine Bluff in 1955; TI's last Convair 600 left in 1975.

Renovations

In November 2007 it was announced that Grider Field will undergo extensive renovation and modernization. A new partnership with the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has been announced.