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By LARRY W. SELLERS C.K. “Ken” Branch, owner of Freeway Airport, has granted a 90-day purchase op tion to Thomas R. Borst for the 42-acre general aviation airport located at the inter section of W. Prince and N. Romero roads. The purchase price was not disclosed. Borst has been a fixed-base operator at Tucson Inter national Airport since moving to Tucson from Las Cruces, NB He operated a flight school that attract ed Student pilots from all parts of the U.S. while at the New Mexico facility. When Wal ter Douglas Jr. opened the air port in 1940 it was out in the country. It was circled by farms and undeveloped land. Now the airport is surrounded by homes, trailer parks and business property. But the air port has survived. Douglas operated the air port, known as Gilpin Airport during the war years, 25 a contract military flight school, then as a general aviation fa cility until it was purchased as an industrial site by a group of businessmen in 1956. The field was closed to flying Feb. 1, 1987. Most pilots feared the airport was fin ished, and that the large “X's” would be permanent. (An “X” on a runway means the airport is closed). However, through the dilli gent efforts of Heinz Wegner, (a former Lockheed test pilot and local real estate devel opec) a 42-acre section of the field was reopened to flying on a limited basis Aug. 4, 1957. By April of 1958 the field had been renamed Freeway Air port and flying was in full swing again. The runway was realigned and improvements included a pilots lounge, T hangars and a restaurant. Branch purchased the air port in January, 1966 and started a flight school and air craft sales organization. He installed runway lights, addi tional hangars, more tie downs, a unicorn radio and nu merous other improvements. The number of aircraft based at Freeway doubled and hang ar Space was at a premium. Tie down space was limited too — and still is. When asked about the even tual fate of the airport, Branch said: “It must remain as an airport for at least five more years.* Freeway Airport has been listed in national aviation pub lications as one of 20 of the most desirable closean air ports for business and plea sure use in the nation. WING “TIPS” AND PROP “WASH? — Jean Hamilton at Avra Valley Air reports in creased activity at the newest airport i the area. Three AVA students received private tckets recently. Earl Hitch cock and Bob Hammond took their check rides with Ken Modlin, Lee Strausser flew with Aaron Emerson. Bill McLearran has moved up to chief pilot at Avra Air. Soaring news — Christop Sigwart “posted a new club record in a Ka§ ending in a near moonlight flight along the Rio Grande... John Donater won a B badge and Art Marshall made a quick trip to Estrella in the Kaé. The Tucson Seating Club flies from Ryan Field. Emerson Flying Service at Ryan Field expands hours. Firm is open seven days a week from. 7 107... Van Sar kiss, John Eaton, Al Sommer ville, Bob Whittam, Paul Dion, Bill Wilson and Billy Smith are enrolled in Emerson's flight training programs with Carr Qlive instructing. Tom Porter and Mike Atkinson are taking Emerson's airbatic course in the Champion Ci tabria with Aaron Emer son ‘Wings Over Tucson
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