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Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport

March 16, 2024

Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport (IATA: TRM, ICAO: KTRM, FAA LID: TRM) is a county-owned, public-use airport in Riverside County, California, United States. It is located in the southeastern Coachella Valley, 20 nautical miles (23 mi, 37 km) southeast of the central business district of Palm Springs,[1] in Thermal, California. This airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation facility.[2]

Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport

(former Thermal Army Air Field)
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCounty of Riverside
ServesCoachella Valley, California
LocationThermal, California
Elevation AMSL−115 ft / −35 m
Coordinates33°37′36″N 116°09′35″W / 33.62667°N 116.15972°W / 33.62667; -116.15972
Websitewww.rcjcra.com
Map
TRM
Location of airport in California
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
17/35 8,500 2,591 Asphalt
12/30 4,995 1,522 Asphalt
Statistics (2023)
Aircraft operations (year ending 4/30/2023)57,093
Based aircraft94

Built during World War II and used by both the US Army and US Navy, Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport has had several name changes. As a civilian facility, it was called Thermal Airport from 1948 to 1998. To better reflect its regional function, the name was then changed to Desert Resorts Regional Airport. The most recent name change, to honor the pioneering aviator and Indio resident Jacqueline Cochran, took place in 2004.

The airport is one mile (1.6 km) west of the California State Route 86 expressway and six miles (10 km) south of Interstate 10 in the lower Coachella Valley of central Riverside County, an area known as the Desert Resorts Region.[citation needed] The communities of Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, Coachella, Indio and Thermal surround the airport.

The facility hosts an air show in late November, showcasing both full-scale aircraft and radio-controlled models as flown by members of the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club. Due to that club's proximity to the facility, both the club and the airport work closely in mid-January to establish no-fly zones for the club's "Best In The West" national jet rally. A temporary model operational ceiling of 2000 ft (610m) is established during that time due to the size and speed of the models which participate.

History edit

The airport was established in August 1942 at the beginning of World War II, and was used as an air support command base as part of the Desert Training Center in the Mojave Desert of Southern California. The mission of the training center was to prepare United States Army ground forces in preparation for Operation Torch—the invasion of North Africa. The center was commanded by General George Patton.

The airfield was known as Thermal Ground Support Base or Thermal Army Air Field. The 2,553-acre (10.33 km2) facility had two 5,000 ft (1,500 m) runways and assigned the installation to Fourth Air Force. Between March 1943 and May 1944, the U.S. Army Air Forces assigned the 76th Reconnaissance Group along with several liaison and tactical reconnaissance squadrons to the airfield. In December 1943, Thermal AAF was reassigned to the California–Arizona Maneuver Area under control of the Third Air Force.

Located in the Coachella Valley 115 feet (35 m) below sea level, the area was named Thermal due to the area's high temperatures, with summer readings of 120 °F (49 °C) in the shade. Summer flight operations took place from 0300 to 1300 to combat the daytime heat, with no servicing performed during the middle of the day. In addition to flying operations, the station served as a pre-embarkation training center for aviation, construction, ordnance and other units.

Phased down in 1944 after most Army units had deployed overseas to combat areas, Thermal had been inactive for six months when the United States Navy requested permission to occupy the base on December 2, 1944, with the stipulation that the Army could reoccupy with 30 days' notice.

Initially known as Naval Air Bases Detachment Thermal, the base's facilities were in rather poor condition. During the first few months of the Navy's occupancy, ACORN (Aviation Construction, Ordnance and Repair - Navy) units and Seabees made extensive improvements. The airfield had a maximum capacity of 2,424 enlisted men and 264 officers. A hospital was located at the facility and had a maximum capacity of 119 patients, 68 nurses, 13 officers, and 16 enlisted men. There were approximately 254 buildings consisting of 237 military buildings built by the War Department and 17 non-military buildings (present at the time of base acquisition). The airfield was improved with approximately 250 buildings, heating, lighting, telephone, sewer, water and power systems. NAB Thermal provided pilot refresher training and aircraft strength reached 115, including the F6F Hellcat, F4U Corsair, TBM Avenger, SB2C Helldiver, and SBD Dauntless. Station aircraft consisted of a J4F, an N2S, an NE, and a GB.

The Navy closed Thermal on November 1, 1945, returning the field to the Army two months later. The site was declared surplus effective November 16, 1945, and transferred to the War Assets Administration (WAA) on January 23, 1947.

The War Assets Administration turned the military airfield to civil control during 1947 and 1948. Approximately 39 acres (160,000 m2) were deeded on June 20, 1947, to United Date Growers of California. Approximately 40 acres (160,000 m2) were deeded on September 2, 1947, to Coachella Valley County Water District. On December 21, 1948, it was returned to the County of Riverside via quitclaim deed for use as a municipal airport.

Current era edit

Today, Thermal is a municipal airport serving general aviation.[3][4] It is divided into 17 parcels totaling 2,549 acres (10.32 km2) of land owned by both public and private entities. Approximately 2,285 acres (9.25 km2) are owned by the County of Riverside for use as a municipal airport. The balance is used for agriculture and airpark development. Approximately 188 acres (0.76 km2) of the property transferred from the DoD to the County of Riverside were subsequently transferred to private parties.

Facilities and aircraft edit

Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport covers an area of 1,850 acres (749 ha) at an elevation of 115 feet (35 m) below mean sea level. It has two asphalt paved runways: 17/35 is 8,500 by 150 feet (2,591 x 46 m) and 12/30 is 4,995 by 100 feet (1,522 x 30 m).[1]

For the 12-month period ending April 30, 2023, the airport had 57,093 aircraft operations, an average of 156 per day: 80% general aviation, and 20% air taxi. At that time there were 94 aircraft based at this airport: 50 single-engine, 16 multi-engine, 18 jet, and 10 helicopter.[1]

There are three fixed base operators (FBO) on the field: Thermal Aviation, the only self-serve; and two full-service FBOs, Desert Jet Center, and Ross Aviation. Desert Jet also provides (Part 135) Private Jet Air Charter services, Aircraft Management solutions, and the only FAA Certified Part 145 Repair Station in the Coachella Valley, performing onsite aircraft maintenance, repair, and inspections. Desert Jet Maintenance also provides AOG (Aircraft on Ground) support to Palm Springs (KPSP) and Bermuda Dunes (KUDD) airports with their mobile unit. Affordable Avionics operates out of Ross Aviation and is the only avionics company on the airport. Coachella Valley Youth Aviation Education Program operates out of Thermal Aviation and is a non-profit organization that trains local kids, during the summer, on aviation from pilot to ground crew. The local EAA chapter 1116 is based at Thermal Aviation where they have meetings and do Young Eagle flights during the winter.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for TRM PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective August 10, 2023.
  2. ^ (PDF). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF, 2.03 MB) on September 27, 2012.
  3. ^ . The California State Military Museum. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
  4. ^ Thole, Lou (1999), Forgotten Fields of America : World War II Bases and Training, Then and Now – Vol. 2. Publisher: Pictorial Histories Pub, ISBN 1-57510-051-7

Other sources edit

  •   This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
  • Maurer, Maurer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN 0-89201-097-5
  • Shaw, Frederick J. (2004), Locating Air Force Base Sites History's Legacy, Air Force History and Museums Program, United States Air Force, Washington DC, 2004.

External links edit

  • Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport
  • Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission
  • , fixed-base operator (FBO)
  • Thermal Aviation, fixed-base operator (FBO)
  • Desert Jet and Desert Jet Center, aircraft charter and maintenance provider, fixed-base operator (FBO)
  • Aerial image as of May 2002 from USGS The National Map
  • FAA Terminal Procedures for TRM, effective February 22, 2024
  • Resources for this airport:
    • FAA airport information for TRM
    • AirNav airport information for KTRM
    • ASN accident history for TRM
    • FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
    • NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
    • SkyVector aeronautical chart, Terminal Procedures


March 16, 2024
jacqueline, cochran, regional, airport, iata, icao, ktrm, county, owned, public, airport, riverside, county, california, united, states, located, southeastern, coachella, valley, nautical, miles, southeast, central, business, district, palm, springs, thermal, . Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport IATA TRM ICAO KTRM FAA LID TRM is a county owned public use airport in Riverside County California United States It is located in the southeastern Coachella Valley 20 nautical miles 23 mi 37 km southeast of the central business district of Palm Springs 1 in Thermal California This airport is included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011 2015 which categorized it as a general aviation facility 2 Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport former Thermal Army Air Field USGS 2006 orthophotoIATA TRMICAO KTRMFAA LID TRMSummaryAirport typePublicOwnerCounty of RiversideServesCoachella Valley CaliforniaLocationThermal CaliforniaElevation AMSL 115 ft 35 mCoordinates33 37 36 N 116 09 35 W 33 62667 N 116 15972 W 33 62667 116 15972Websitewww wbr rcjcra wbr comMapTRMLocation of airport in CaliforniaRunwaysDirection Length Surfaceft m17 35 8 500 2 591 Asphalt12 30 4 995 1 522 AsphaltStatistics 2023 Aircraft operations year ending 4 30 2023 57 093Based aircraft94Source Federal Aviation Administration 1 Built during World War II and used by both the US Army and US Navy Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport has had several name changes As a civilian facility it was called Thermal Airport from 1948 to 1998 To better reflect its regional function the name was then changed to Desert Resorts Regional Airport The most recent name change to honor the pioneering aviator and Indio resident Jacqueline Cochran took place in 2004 The airport is one mile 1 6 km west of the California State Route 86 expressway and six miles 10 km south of Interstate 10 in the lower Coachella Valley of central Riverside County an area known as the Desert Resorts Region citation needed The communities of Palm Springs Palm Desert Indian Wells La Quinta Rancho Mirage Cathedral City Coachella Indio and Thermal surround the airport The facility hosts an air show in late November showcasing both full scale aircraft and radio controlled models as flown by members of the Coachella Valley Radio Control Club Due to that club s proximity to the facility both the club and the airport work closely in mid January to establish no fly zones for the club s Best In The West national jet rally A temporary model operational ceiling of 2000 ft 610m is established during that time due to the size and speed of the models which participate Contents 1 History 2 Current era 3 Facilities and aircraft 4 See also 5 References 6 Other sources 7 External linksHistory editThe airport was established in August 1942 at the beginning of World War II and was used as an air support command base as part of the Desert Training Center in the Mojave Desert of Southern California The mission of the training center was to prepare United States Army ground forces in preparation for Operation Torch the invasion of North Africa The center was commanded by General George Patton The airfield was known as Thermal Ground Support Base or Thermal Army Air Field The 2 553 acre 10 33 km2 facility had two 5 000 ft 1 500 m runways and assigned the installation to Fourth Air Force Between March 1943 and May 1944 the U S Army Air Forces assigned the 76th Reconnaissance Group along with several liaison and tactical reconnaissance squadrons to the airfield In December 1943 Thermal AAF was reassigned to the California Arizona Maneuver Area under control of the Third Air Force Located in the Coachella Valley 115 feet 35 m below sea level the area was named Thermal due to the area s high temperatures with summer readings of 120 F 49 C in the shade Summer flight operations took place from 0300 to 1300 to combat the daytime heat with no servicing performed during the middle of the day In addition to flying operations the station served as a pre embarkation training center for aviation construction ordnance and other units Phased down in 1944 after most Army units had deployed overseas to combat areas Thermal had been inactive for six months when the United States Navy requested permission to occupy the base on December 2 1944 with the stipulation that the Army could reoccupy with 30 days notice Initially known as Naval Air Bases Detachment Thermal the base s facilities were in rather poor condition During the first few months of the Navy s occupancy ACORN Aviation Construction Ordnance and Repair Navy units and Seabees made extensive improvements The airfield had a maximum capacity of 2 424 enlisted men and 264 officers A hospital was located at the facility and had a maximum capacity of 119 patients 68 nurses 13 officers and 16 enlisted men There were approximately 254 buildings consisting of 237 military buildings built by the War Department and 17 non military buildings present at the time of base acquisition The airfield was improved with approximately 250 buildings heating lighting telephone sewer water and power systems NAB Thermal provided pilot refresher training and aircraft strength reached 115 including the F6F Hellcat F4U Corsair TBM Avenger SB2C Helldiver and SBD Dauntless Station aircraft consisted of a J4F an N2S an NE and a GB The Navy closed Thermal on November 1 1945 returning the field to the Army two months later The site was declared surplus effective November 16 1945 and transferred to the War Assets Administration WAA on January 23 1947 The War Assets Administration turned the military airfield to civil control during 1947 and 1948 Approximately 39 acres 160 000 m2 were deeded on June 20 1947 to United Date Growers of California Approximately 40 acres 160 000 m2 were deeded on September 2 1947 to Coachella Valley County Water District On December 21 1948 it was returned to the County of Riverside via quitclaim deed for use as a municipal airport Current era editToday Thermal is a municipal airport serving general aviation 3 4 It is divided into 17 parcels totaling 2 549 acres 10 32 km2 of land owned by both public and private entities Approximately 2 285 acres 9 25 km2 are owned by the County of Riverside for use as a municipal airport The balance is used for agriculture and airpark development Approximately 188 acres 0 76 km2 of the property transferred from the DoD to the County of Riverside were subsequently transferred to private parties Facilities and aircraft editJacqueline Cochran Regional Airport covers an area of 1 850 acres 749 ha at an elevation of 115 feet 35 m below mean sea level It has two asphalt paved runways 17 35 is 8 500 by 150 feet 2 591 x 46 m and 12 30 is 4 995 by 100 feet 1 522 x 30 m 1 For the 12 month period ending April 30 2023 the airport had 57 093 aircraft operations an average of 156 per day 80 general aviation and 20 air taxi At that time there were 94 aircraft based at this airport 50 single engine 16 multi engine 18 jet and 10 helicopter 1 There are three fixed base operators FBO on the field Thermal Aviation the only self serve and two full service FBOs Desert Jet Center and Ross Aviation Desert Jet also provides Part 135 Private Jet Air Charter services Aircraft Management solutions and the only FAA Certified Part 145 Repair Station in the Coachella Valley performing onsite aircraft maintenance repair and inspections Desert Jet Maintenance also provides AOG Aircraft on Ground support to Palm Springs KPSP and Bermuda Dunes KUDD airports with their mobile unit Affordable Avionics operates out of Ross Aviation and is the only avionics company on the airport Coachella Valley Youth Aviation Education Program operates out of Thermal Aviation and is a non profit organization that trains local kids during the summer on aviation from pilot to ground crew The local EAA chapter 1116 is based at Thermal Aviation where they have meetings and do Young Eagle flights during the winter See also editCalifornia World War II Army Airfields Desert Training CenterReferences edit a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for TRM PDF Federal Aviation Administration Effective August 10 2023 2011 2015 NPIAS Report Appendix A PDF National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems Federal Aviation Administration October 4 2010 Archived from the original PDF 2 03 MB on September 27 2012 Naval Air Facility Thermal The California State Military Museum Archived from the original on 2013 01 27 Retrieved 2008 04 19 Thole Lou 1999 Forgotten Fields of America World War II Bases and Training Then and Now Vol 2 Publisher Pictorial Histories Pub ISBN 1 57510 051 7Other sources edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Maurer Maurer 1983 Air Force Combat Units Of World War II Maxwell AFB Alabama Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 89201 092 4 Maurer Maurer 1969 Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II Air Force Historical Studies Office Maxwell AFB Alabama ISBN 0 89201 097 5 Shaw Frederick J 2004 Locating Air Force Base Sites History s Legacy Air Force History and Museums Program United States Air Force Washington DC 2004 External links editJacqueline Cochran Regional Airport Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport Airshow Signature Flight Services fixed base operator FBO Thermal Aviation fixed base operator FBO Desert Jet and Desert Jet Center aircraft charter and maintenance provider fixed base operator FBO Aerial image as of May 2002 from USGS The National Map FAA Terminal Procedures for TRM effective February 22 2024 Resources for this airport FAA airport information for TRM AirNav airport information for KTRM ASN accident history for TRM FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker NOAA NWS weather observations current past three days SkyVector aeronautical chart Terminal Procedures Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport amp oldid 1206126223, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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