Louisville's Other Airport
Historic Bowman Field plays critical role in Kentucky aviation

Before it became Bowman Field, it was known as Bowman’s Field, a 40-acre parcel within a perimeter of beans that aviation pioneer A.H. Bowman acquired in 1919.

Louisville had its first commercial airport, with scheduled airline service until 1947, until it was superceded by then-Standiford Field. Since then, the facility has served as a “general aviation airport” for private and corporate aircraft and related businesses, and accommodating 170,000 air operations a year, almost as many take-off and landings as Louisville International Airport. Both are operated by the Regional Airport Authority.

A plan to develop a little-used Bowman Field 60-acre quadrant as an industrial park was the source of controversy last year.

James DeLong, director of the Airport Authority, admits he learned from the dispute, which ended with him declaring a 10-year moratorium on development in one small parcel near Seneca park and a promise to seek alternative revenue sources for the facility. The community likes Bowman Field but imagines it to be more tranquil than it really is.

Although it permanently houses almost 400 aircraft, much of Bowman Field’s 400 acres remain open grasslands and its landmark administration building is a restful destination for many citizens who remember when flying was a daring and exotic activity.

A result of the development controversy is the appointment of Bill Musselwhite as an on-site manager for Bowman Field. The Authority also began a sensitive restoration of Bowman’s Administration Building and plans to raise revenues by building new T-hangers for private aircraft and converting short-term rentals into long-term leases for the facility’s permanent users. “Good tenants will keep this airport open,” DeLong said.

Both DeLong and Musselwhite believe Bowman Field’s role as a “reliever” airport is critical for the entire community. Diverting air traffic improves safety and increases operations capacity at Louisville International Airport. The commercial airlines subsidize Bowman Field with $300,000 annually.

The facility is a viable business park now, DeLong and Musselwhite contend, although they do not deny they still seek “low impact development” in the right location at the airport.

Robert Carter is a staff writer for The Lane Report.
bobcarter@lanereport.com

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