Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-12-28
BROWNSVILLE'S AIRPORT IS
GREAT DEVELOPMENT FACTOR

one Of the most important fact
ors in the rapid development OF
Brownsville during the past ten
wears, and In the future Of the city
is the Brownsville Municipal air
port.
Brownsville citizens, by taking an
active and progressive interest IN
this matter and voting several
years ego TO finance an airport,
have made 1t possible for the city
TO possess one Of the best airports
in the country. the most important
international airport in the United
States, and n which is destined
TO become a great assembling ana
parts station, to serve Mexico and
Central and South Americas.
In the opinion of Col. T. <. Gil
more. manager of the airport. it Is
defined to become a concentration
point out Of which will radiate lines
into the countries to the south,
s and the other partk q the United
On Paved Road
The airport is located four miles
east Of Brownsville, on a paved
road. The land Is low and level, and
has been provided with ample
drainage, SO that 1t is clear Of water
in a very short time after a rain.
1t was leased more than a year
ago by the city to the Pan-Ameri-
can Anyways OF Texas, Inc, which
company now operates the field. A
subsidiary OF this company. the
Mexican Aviation company. operates
an air line out from the airport
into Mexico, going to Tampico,
Veracruz and Mexico City.
The Brownsville municipal air
port. because Of the care with
which 1t was laid out, has been
recommended for an ala rating, be-
ing the third airport In the United
States TO be recommended for such
a rating. II is considered by all
prominent airmen Iio have seen it
as one OF the best designed and
finished airports OF the country.
The Brownsville airport occupies
approximately 376 acres OF land.
with an additional 80 acres in re-
serve. This is a space Of approxim-
ately "a of a mile square. There
are no distractions TO approach by
air on any boundary except the
buildings on the west side Of the
field.
AL, Space Usable
The surface Of the field is flat.
grass covered, and any part of it
can be used except in extremely
wet weather, when it is necessary
10 use the runways on landing and
taking off.
There are two runways. each 100
feet wide. The east-west runway is
200 feet long. and the northeast
southwest runway is $500 feet.
an additional 200 feet having been
ADDED 10 this runway recently in
order TO make II conform to the
government specifications. The run
ways are constructed OF w~ell-rolled
caliche. SiX-inch surface.
A service platform OF similar
construction. 100 feet wide. and 200
feet long, stretches uninterruptedly
IN front OF all the hangers and
buildings at the airport.
The passenger platform has an
asphalt surface.
Important Developments manned
at the airport include the asphalt
ing Of all the runways, and the
construction of a north-south run
way. which would also be asphalt
ed. This runway would be of benefit
during the few days when the wind
Is due north or south.
Water Supply Near
The water supply at the airport
IS pumped from an irrigation canal
one-half mile distant. There is a
small filter equipment at the air.
port. Water pipes are distributed
through all the buildings. and ir-
rlgation pipes service a consider
able part Of the field.
The airport markings a. the air.
port are Of the best that can be
secured.
The name Brownsville in H.
loot letters Is painted on No. !
hangar roof. the buildings at the
airport being painted a chrome
yellow.
A circle 100 feet in diameter.
width six feet. Is permanently out