Date

Location

Description

Reference

1/7/1946

Watertown

Army approves plan to use base housing [see 1/5/46 & 1/14/46]

Public Opinion

1/14/1946

Watertown

16 apartments to be ready soon [see 1/5/46 and 1/7/46]

Public Opinion

1/14/1946

Sisseton

Harold Brink secured lease for proposed municipal airport 2 east and half north of Sisseton. Plans to build and maintain a hanger and office

Public Opinion

1/15/1946

Watertown

Army gives city a 5 year lease for airport

Public Opinion

1/16/1946

Watertown

Air Base officially declared surplus and closed. Several weeks will be needed to finish winding up shutdown then the base will operate under the Corps of Engineers until the maintenance agreement with the city expires

Public Opinion

1/17/1946

Minneapolis

DW Pennertz; President of North Central Airways; Inc.. announced that the CAB is considering a proposal for passenger and mail feeder routes in South Dakota. Stops would be Mobridge; Selby; Onida; Pierre; Kennebec; Chamberlain; Kimball; Mitchell; Salem; A

Public Opinion

1/18/1946

Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls Air Base declared surplus [see 12/31/45]

Public Opinion

2/8/1946

Watertown

Aircraft at city airport north of town damaged by wind storm...some blown a half mile form the airport

Public Opinion

2/20/1946

Watertown

City announces that it is to take control of the Air Base at midnight on 2/24/46

Public Opinion

2/27/1946

Watertown

City Council met and formally accepted airport transfer. City took lighting previous Saturday. Took over all equipment; although it still belongs to the Army. They expect to take early action on lease with Kampeska Flying Service

Public Opinion 2/28/46

Ralph Frothinger is to return to Watertown [from Air Transport Command] to operate Kampeska Flying Service which was Incorporated in his absence in fall of 1945. He will be owner and operator offering flying school; charter; and shops for service and over

Public Opinion

3/2/1946

Washington

CAB examiner recommended: 1) Inland Airlines route #35 be extended permanently from Huron to Minneapolis; subject to provision that no flight originate east of Rapid City. 2) Inland Airlines be temporarily authorized to serve Brookings; Rochester; and Man

Public Opinion

Mid-continent is planning to add Huron-Minot and additional stops if allowed to merge with American Airlines [see 9/14/45 & 1/14/46]

Public Opinion

3/6/1946

Watertown

Watertown Air Service completed move to airport with 12 planes. Ray Wiles in charge of operations. Ralph Hubbard president and manager

Public Opinion

3/12/1946

Watertown

CAA radio operator; Wayland Williams; 28; arrested while on duty for theft of radio equipment from Army Tower. Sheriff was looking for light fixtures reported stolen by CAA officials and found light fixtures; approximately $5;000 worth of radios; and remo

Public Opinion

Ralph Lang started as pilot instructor for Kampeska Air Service

Public Opinion

3/27/1946

Huron

Huron runway damaged by large aircraft. Airline flights suspended

Public Opinion

3/27/1946

Yankton

CAA employee [see 3/12/46] pleaded guilty to theft and placed on 18 months probation

Public Opinion

Oct-46

Pierre

Army turned Air Base over to city

?

1947

Aberdeen

Bond issue and federal funds used to build new terminal building and additional runways

Brown County History p402

1/1/1948

Aberdeen

CAA resumes taking official weather observations at airport

NWS Station History

1948

Huron

Walt Ball is sales manager for Dakota Aviation; the largest Aeronca dealer in United States

Huron Revisited

Operators: Dakota Aviation; Inc..; Mid-Continent Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Edward G Youngs; Pres; Walter F Ball Vice-Pres

City Directory

Airport Manager: Robert C Wilson

City Directory

Weather Bureau: Airport office; William H Wells; Meteorologist; City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski; Meteorologist

City Directory

CAA Communications Station: Horace O Fath; Chief Aircraft Communicator. Safety Regulation District Office No. 8: J Ralph Horn; Inspector In Charge

City Directory

5/12/1948

Watertown

VOR commissioned

1965 Facility Data Report

1949

Philip

Amsden Flying Service established. Purchased from MD Hoyt who operated business during the war

First Half Century p70 & 123

6/1/1949

Aberdeen

VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate]

AF MMS File

6/1/1949

Watertown

VOR commissioned [AF printout][date WRONG see 5/12/48]

AF MMS File

6/1/1949

Huron

VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate]

AF MMS File

6/1/1949

Philip

VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate]

AF MMS File

6/1/1949

Pierre

VOR commissioned [AF printout][date probably inaccurate]

AF MMS File

1950

Huron

Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits; with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west air mail routes; with daily air passenger and mail service. The

City Directory

Operators: Dakota Aviation; Inc..; Mid-West Airlines; Mid-Continent Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Edward G Youngs; Pres; Walter F Ball Vice-Pres and Sales Manager

City Directory

Western Airlines [originally Wyoming Air Lines; then Inland Airlines] and Mid-continent [formerly Hanford Airlines] provide 4 flights a day form Huron to Kansas City; Minneapolis and Denver. Midwest Airlines provides service to Sioux Falls-Sioux City-Omah

Huron Revisited

Airport Manager: Robert C Wilson

City Directory

Weather Bureau: Airport office; William H Wells; Meteorologist; City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski; Meteorologist

City Directory

CAA Communications Station: Horace O Fath; Chief Aircraft Communicator. CAA Maintenance Office: Ray E Bute; Maintenance Technician. CAA Safety Regulation District Office No. 8: John C Smith; Safety Agent In Charge

City Directory

Jan-50

CAA: Aviation Safety District Office; Interstate Airway Communication Station. Weather Bureau: Airport Office; City Office

Huron Telephone Book

7/4/1950

Brookings

New airport build at a total cost of $350;000 was dedicated. Western Airlines began service with fares to: Minneapolis $9.55; Rapid City $21.10; Denver $46.05

Brookings County History p116

Sep-50

Watertown

Kampeska Flying Service quits operation

Public Opinion 6/6/79

10/5/1950

Rapid City

NWS official weather observations move from old municipal airport to new municipal airport.

NWS Station History

12/7/1950

Watertown

Weighing rain gauge installed

Operation Manual

6/1/1952

Pierre

FSS moved into new terminal building [date questionable]

AF MMS File

Aug-52

Watertown

Mid-continent merged with Braniff

Public Opinion 6/6/79

1952

Huron

Braniff took over Mid-continent's routes and reduced service to Huron

Huron Revisited

8/14/1952

Watertown

Federal grant received to build new administration building to replace the building destroyed when Air Base was constructed

Public Opinion 6/6/79

1953

Huron

Operators: Dakota Aviation; Inc.; Aerial Weed Control; Branniff International Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Edward G Youngs; Pres; VV Youngs Sec/Treas; Walter F Ball Vice-Pres and Sales Manager

City Directory

Airport Manager: Joseph J Wheeler

City Directory

Weather Bureau: Airport office; William H Wells; Meteorologist; City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski; Meteorologist

City Directory

CAA Communications Station: Horace O Fath; Chief Aircraft Communicator. CAA Maintenance Office: Ray E Bute; Maintenance Technician

City Directory

Aug-53

Watertown

New administration building completed

FAA Drawing 8/20/53

Nov-53

Watertown

Braniff began service Omaha-Fargo with stop in Watertown

Public Opinion 6/6/79

Watertown

CAA wiring completed in new administration building

FAA Drawing 8/20/53

1954

Huron

Ed Youngs sold interest in Dakota Aviation and went into real estate business

Huron Revisited

3/31/1954

Watertown

CAA operations relocated to new administration building

FAA Drawing 3/31/54

1955

Huron

Operators: Dakota Aviation; Inc.; Aerial Weed Control; Branniff International Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres; Frank S Root; Vice-Pres; Katheryn J Polad; Sec/Treas

City Directory

Airport Manager: Joseph J Wheeler

City Directory

Weather Bureau: Airport office; William H Wells; Meteorologist; City Office in Post Office. Bernard Laskowski; Meteorologist

City Directory

CAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones; Station Chief. CAA Safety Regulation District Office No. 8: Leland G Covert; Supervisor

City Directory

Jan-57

Huron

Airport is 400 acres with Weather Bureau; CAA Safety Office; CAA Maintenance Office and CAA Communication Station. There are 3 hard surface runways; 1 is concrete. Each day Braniff has 4 flights and Western has 4 flights.

Our Town 1957 p23

Operators: Dakota Aviation; Inc.; Branniff International Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres; Frank S Root; Vice-Pres; Katheryn J Polad; Sec/Treas

City Directory

Airport Manager: Jeffry G Molid

City Directory

Weather Bureau: Airport office; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist; City Office in Post Office: William Hodge; State Climatologist

City Directory

CAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones; Station Chief. CAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier; Supervisor

City Directory

Mar-57

Washington

[In March 1957]...the CAB handed North Central a fat award: A new route from Grand Forks to Omaha via Fargo; Watertown; Brookings; Sioux Falls; Sioux City and Norfolk. This added 8 cities; 3 new states and 579 miles to the system

Ceiling Unlimited p126

Mar-57

Huron

CAA: Aviation Safety District Office; Interstate Airway Communication Station. Weather Bureau: Airport Office; State Climatologist Office; Federal Building room 209

Huron Telephone Book

4/15/1957

Watertown

F240C wind instruments installed

Facility Data Report

6/1/1957

Watertown

North Central Airlines begins service

1968 Open House Brochure

1958

Huron

Operators: Dakota Aviation; Inc.; Branniff International Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres; Frank S Root; Vice-Pres; Katheryn J Polad; Sec/Treas

City Directory

Airport Manager: Jeffry G Molid

City Directory

Weather Bureau: Airport office; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist; City Office in Post Office: William Hodge; State Climatologist

City Directory

CAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones; Station Chief. CAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier; Supervisor

City Directory

2/1/1958

Pierre

RCAG Commissioned [printout] [date questionable]

AF MMS File

May-58

Huron

CAA: Interstate Airway Communication Station. Weather Bureau: Airport Office; State Climatologist Office; Federal Building room 209

Huron Telephone Book

10/1/1958

Dupree

VOR Commissioned [printout] [date questionable]

AF MMS File

12/1/1958

Watertown

TACAN commissioned [printout] [date WRONG ... see 12/10/58]

AF MMS File

Watertown

TACAN commissioned

1965 Facility Data Report

1959

Huron

Braniff discontinued service to Huron. North Central and Western flying into Huron.

Huron Revisited

6/1/1959

Winner

VOR commissioned [printout] [date questionable]

AF MMS File

1960

Huron

Operators: Dakota Aviation; Inc.; North Central Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres; Ralph Cooper; Vice-Pres; Katheryn J Polad; Sec/Treas

City Directory

Airport Manager: Jeffry G Molid

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Communications Station: C Homer Jones; Station Chief. FAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier; Supervisor

City Directory

Jun-60

Huron

FAA: Flight Service Station; Airway Technical Field Office No 36. Weather Bureau: Airport Office; State Climatologist Office; Federal Building room 209

Huron Telephone Book

Jun-60

Miller

Yellow Page listing: Miller Aircraft Repair

Huron Telephone Book

Jun-60

Pierre

FAA: Interstate Airway Communication Station; Flight Service Station; Airway Technical Field Office No 67

Huron Telephone Book

Yellow Page listing: Ice Flying Service

Huron Telephone Book

Jun-60

Rapid City

Yellow Page listing: Weber Aviation

Huron Telephone Book

Jun-60

Onida

Yellow Page listing: Onida Flying Service

Huron Telephone Book

Watertown

REIL installed runway 17

FAA Drawing 12/19/60

Jun-61

Huron

FAA: Flight Service Station; Airway Technical Field Office No 36. Weather Bureau: Airport Office; State Climatologist Office; Federal Building room 209

Huron Telephone Book

6/6/1961

Pierre

Wind instruments and hygrothermometer located in center of field. [Note: This drawing shows the diagonal taxiway as an "old section line road"]

WBRAO Drawing 6/6/61

10/1/1961

Dupree

TACAN commissioned [printout] [date questionable] [Acceptance date 12/4/64]

AF MMS File

1962

Huron

Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits; with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes; with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport

City Directory

Operators: Burmood Air Service; Dakota Aviation; Inc.; North Central Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres-mgr; David Nicholson; Treas; Katheryn J Polad; Sec. Burmood Air Service: Charles L Burmood

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Billy D Templeton; Chief. FAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier; Chief Executive Office Manager

City Directory

6/29/1962

Watertown

Watertown Flying Club has 27 members and 2 aircraft. Club began in 1954. President Jerry Cook; Secretary/Treasurer Dale Dahl [FSS Specialist]

Public Opinion

Jul-62

Huron

Yellow Page listing: Burmood Air Service

Huron Telephone Book

7/10/1962

Watertown

Louie Potter retirement dinner. Received 30 year pin. 57 attended. Dick Myers acted as master of ceremonies

Public Opinion

7/24/1962

Watertown

Roger Pederson is chairman of Chamber of Commerce aviation committee

Public Opinion

7/24/1962

Brookings

North Central Airlines to drop Brookings from stops on north-south route. Flights to continue into Watertown

Public Opinion

1963

Huron

Operators: Ball Aero; Dakota Aviation; Inc.; North Central Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres-mgr; David Nicholson; Treas; Katheryn J Polad; Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball; Tracy Gitchell

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Billy D Templeton; Chief. FAA Maintenance Office: Karl E Meier; Manager

City Directory

3/23/1963

Philip

Philip FSS decommissioned. Pierre FSS to begin using Philip RCO

Pierre FSS records

6/7/1963

Philip

Philip SBRAZ decommissioned. BH commissioned

Pierre FSS records

7/1/1963

Pierre

Pierre NSME decommissioned

Pierre FSS records

7/7/1963

Watertown

Estimated 120 knot winds blew roof off terminal building. Wind instruments and antenna blew down at 110 knots. Ed Bauer on duty. [photo]

Public Opinion

7/26/1963

Watertown

OE Markle; of Glasgow; Montana; was enroute from Sleepy Eye; Minnesota to Glasgow when he encountered thunderstorms near Watertown about 7pm. Unsure of his position he called Watertown FSS. Ed Bauer used VOR and landmark orientation to assist aircraft whi

Public Opinion

Sep-63

Huron

FAA: Flight Service Station; Airway Technical Field Office No 36. Weather Bureau: Airport Office

Huron Telephone Book

1964

Huron

Operators: Ball Aero; Dakota Aviation; Inc.; North Central Airlines; Western Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres-mgr; David Nicholson; Treas; Katheryn J Polad; Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball; Tracy Gitchell

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Winfield Henry; Flight Service Chief

City Directory

2/26/1964

Pierre

3023kc receiver decommissioned

Pierre FSS records

4/20/1964

Winner

M-BVORTAC decommissioned. M-BVOR commissioned

Pierre FSS records

6/28/1964

Aberdeen

FAA discontinued taking official weather observations; duties assumed by NWS

NWS Station History

12/4/1964

Dupree

TACAN acceptance inspection

AF Records

1965

Huron

Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits; with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes; with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport

City Directory

Operators: Ball Aero; Dakota Aviation; Inc.; North Central Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres-mgr; David Nicholson; Treas; Katheryn J Polad; Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball; Tracy Gitchell

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager

City Directory

1/19/1965

Watertown

FBOs at this time were Boyer Brothers and Lowinske Aviation

1965 Facility Data Record

6/5/1965

Huron

Western Airlines discontinued service to Huron

Huron Revisited

1966

Huron

Airport: A government recognized and approved airport is located one mile north of the city limits; with 24 hour passenger and refueling service. Huron is located on north-south and east-west routes; with daily air passenger and mail service. The airport

City Directory

Operators: Ball Aero; Dakota Aviation; Inc.; North Central Airlines. Dakota Aviation: Walter F Ball; Pres-mgr; Katheryn J Polad; Sec. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager

City Directory

Mar-66

Huron

Airport is 400 acres with latest FAA Navigational Aid; Maintenance Office and FAA Communication Station. There are 2 runways; 1 concrete; the other blacktop. North Central Airlines had 8 flights each day.

Our Town 1966 p39

4/1/1966

Pierre

TACAN commissioned [date questionable ... see 4/21/66]

AF MMS File

4/21/1966

Pierre

TACAN acceptance inspection held

AF Records

1967

Huron

VOR was scheduled to be converted to a VORTAC

Huron: The Market

Apr-67

Watertown

Work begun to remodel and expand terminal building

Public Opinion 6/6/79

6/1/1967

Pierre

DF commissioned [date questionable]

AF MMS File

1968

Huron

Operators: Ball Aero; North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager

City Directory

2/1/1968

Watertown

North Central begins scheduled jet service into Watertown

1968 Open House Brochure

2/8/1968

Watertown

Terminal building remodeled and expanded

FAA Drawing 2/8/68

2/25/1968

Watertown

Open house for remodeled and expanded terminal building. There are 7 FSS specialists and 2 technicians at the facility

1968 Open House Brochure

1969

Huron

Diamond Aviation began operations in new building [Huron Revisited says: Late 50's]

Huron Revisited

Operators: Ball Aero; Diamond Aviation; North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball; Diamond Aviation: Floyd a Kjerstad; mgr

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager

City Directory

5/19/1969

Watertown

Ceiling light modified

Operation Manual

1970

Watertown

Lake City Aviation (formerly Hubbard Aviation) discontinued business

Public Opinion 6/6/79

1970

Huron

The Huron Airport handles eight daily flights by North Central Airlines. Direct service is provided to the Twin Cities; Chicago and Sioux Falls. The airport is in the process of expansion to accommodate added flights and larger aircraft. A new control tow

City Directory

Walt Ball bought out Diamond Aviation and formed Ball Aero

Huron Revisited

Operators: Ball Aero; North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; William H Wells; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager

City Directory

Brookings

Brookings VOR/RCO commissioned

Facility Data Report

1972

Watertown

Alden facsimile installed at FSS

Facility Data Report

1972

Huron

Operators: Ball Aero; North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; Robert E Fennell; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager; FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko; Unit Chief

City Directory

3/10/1972

Watertown

FSS staff is: Chief; 6 specialists; AF unit chief and 1 ET

FAA Intercom 3/10/72

4/12/1972

Pierre

Facsimile installed at FSS [CLIPPING]

Pierre FSS records

9/14/1972

Denver

FSS frequencies 122.3 and 122.6 were to be changed to a standard enroute simplex frequency of 122.2. [This letter contains a list of FSS locations and frequencies] [Note: Bismarck must have had an FSS at this time]

RM Region Letter 7/10/72

1972

Pierre

Runway 13-31 improvements accomplished during 1972 at cost of $330;000

Pierre FSS records

1972

Huron

Beadle County paid City of Huron $105;000 toward runway extension in 1972

Beadle County Survey

2/15/1973

Pierre

Airport manger Walter Heubner. Ice Flying Service owned and operated by Cecil Ice provided charter; rental; crop dusting and Piper aircraft sales. Schmit Aviation; Inc.. owned by American Sioux Tribe and operated by Douglas Schmit provides charter and ins

2/15/73 Airport Traffic Survey

3/29/1973

Watertown

ILS commissioned

Facility Data Record

3/29/1973

Pierre

ILS commissioned [according to Pierre FSS records it cost $57;600]

8/27/73 Airport Traffic Survey

4/13/1973

Pierre

Great Falls Service F (interphone) decommissioned

ILS commissioned

6/20/1973

Pierre

MALSR commissioned [according to Pierre FSS records it cost $49;400]

8/27/73 Airport Traffic Survey

6/22/1973

Watertown

MALSR commissioned

Facility Data Report

8/27/1973

Pierre

[Apparently airport was not satisfied with results from 2/15/73 Traffic Survey because it was done during winter and thus during low traffic period] Toby Kirkpatrick now manager of Schmit Aviation; Inc..; no longer approved for VA flight instruction. Taxi

8/27/73 Airport Traffic Survey

Pierre

NDB (347khz) decommissioned

Pierre FSS records

Watertown

VASI installed on runways 12; 30 and 17

Facility Data Record

1973

Pierre

Runway and taxiway lighting and fencing accomplished during 1973 at cost of $103;000 [see 8/27/73]

Pierre FSS records

1974

Huron

Operators: Ball Aero; North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; Robert E Fennell; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager; FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko; Unit Chief

City Directory

4/16/1974

Watertown

REIL 30 installed

Facility Data Record

1974

Pierre

Fire station was built for $77;293 and fire trucks purchased for $99;000 during 1974

Pierre FSS records

2/6/1975

Pierre

New facsimile installed

Pierre FSS records

6/14/1975

Watertown

Kerr-Magee Saberliner crashed during takeoff runway 17. Ingested sea gulls. [Ken Baenan on duty]

Public Opinion

9/26/1975

Pierre

Runway 13-31 and "new connecting taxiways" friction coated and painted

Pierre FSS records

Watertown

Alden 9721C facsimile installed

Facility Data Record

Pierre

First new crash truck put in service

Pierre FSS records

Pierre

VASI for Runways 7; 25 and 13 put in service

Pierre FSS records

1976

Huron

The Huron Airport handles three daily flights by North Central Airlines. Direct service is provided to Aberdeen; Chicago and Sioux Falls. The airport has recently been expanded to accommodate added flights and larger aircraft. A new control tower; instrum

City Directory

Operators: Ball Aero; North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

Weather Bureau; Airport; Robert E Fennell; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager; FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko; Unit Chief

City Directory

Pierre

Engine generator decommissioned

Pierre FSS records

1977

Huron

Ball Aero sold to Thorson Aviation

Huron Revisited

Operators: Ball Aero; North Central Airlines. Ball Aero: Walter F Ball

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

National Weather Service: Robert E Fennell; Chief Meteorologist

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager; FAA Airway Facilities Office: John F Trinko; Unit Chief

City Directory

5/10/1977

Watertown

BUEC installed

FAA Drawing 5/10/77

9/15/1977

Pierre

FSS remodeling project completed at cost of $10;500

Pierre FSS records

Pierre

REIL 13 commissioned

Pierre FSS records

1978

Huron

Operators: Thorson Aviation; North Central Airlines. Thorson Aviation: Steven Thorson

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

National Weather Service: Donald Kluckman; Meteorologist In Charge

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Irwin W Olson; Manager; FAA Airway Facilities Office: Willard Rogge; Unit Chief

City Directory

7/24/1978

Pierre

Runway 7-25 closed for resurfacing and construction of diagonal taxiway from point adjacent terminal

Pierre FSS records

9/1/1978

Watertown

Wind sensors relocated from roof to enter of field

Facility Data Record and FAA Drawing 8/31/78

11/7/1978

Pierre

Runway 7-25 and taxiway open [see 7/24/78]

Pierre FSS records

1979

Huron

Operators: Thorson Aviation; North Central Airlines. Thorson Aviation: Steven Thorson

City Directory

Airport Manager: Don Friese

City Directory

National Weather Service: Donald Kluckman; Meteorologist In Charge

City Directory

FAA Flight Service Station: Clair E Wilson; Manager; FAA Airway Facilities Office: Willard Rogge; Unit Chief

City Directory

1/18/1979

Pierre

Multichannel recorder installed

Pierre FSS records

5/24/1979

Watertown

REIL 12 installed

Facility Data Record

7/17/1979

Minneapolis

North Central merged with Southern Airlines and changed name to Republic Airlines

Daily Plainsman 6/15/80

6/12/1980

Pierre

ILS DME commissioned

Pierre FSS records

7/8/1980

Watertown

Remote Reading Hygrothermometer installed

AF Warranty Records

8/1/1980

Pierre

ILS DME commissioned [printout] [date questionable]

AF MMS File

Pierre

Inflight console project completed [may have been when they replaced big windows]

Pierre FSS records

1981

Huron

Republic Airlines discontinued service to Huron. At the end Republic had only 2 daily flights to Sioux Falls. They were replaced briefly by Northern Airlines; which went broke; then Mesaba began service

Huron Revisited

1982

Huron

Thorson Aviation sold to Dan Parrish and name changed to Huron Aviation

Huron Revisited

Gene Dargatz purchased Hebron Air Service

Huron Revisited

7/5/1983

Pierre

General Aviation ramp work started ($800;000 project)

Pierre FSS records

Pierre

Airport terminal modernization competed. New windows in FSS

Pierre FSS records

Jun-84

Watertown

leased Service A equipment installed

FAA messages

7/26/1984

Watertown

Second generation VORTAC commissioned

NOTAM

8/9/1984

Watertown

Service A converted to Leased Service A Equipment

Letter

8/30/1984

Dupree

Second generation VORTAC commissioned

Pierre FSS records

9/15/1984

Rapid City

Second generation VORTAC commissioned

Pierre FSS records

10/4/1984

Winner

Second generation VOR commissioned

Pierre FSS records

Pierre

Last Western Airlines flight in/out of Pierre after 45 years of service

Pierre FSS records

11/4/1984

Rapid City

VOR voice remoted to PIR

Pierre FSS records

8/12/1985

Philip

Second generation VORTAC commissioned

Pierre FSS records

Watertown

Republic Airlines discontinued service and replaced by Republic Express

Public Opinion

1986

Huron

Jim Martini; Jon Gilchrist and Gene Dargatz purchase Huron Aviation and form AeroWorld

Huron Revisited

Mar-86

Watertown

Service B converted to Leased Service A & B (LABS) equipment

message

10/1/1986

Watertown

Mesaba Airlines began service; replacing Republic Express following the merger of Republic Airlines and Northwest Airlines. After merger Northwest "assigned" the Dakotas to Mesaba and Michigan to Republic Express

personal knowledge

Sep-87

Huron

Huron AFSS commissioned

personal knowledge

1/7/1988

Watertown

Article on weather observations. Jim Anez in photo reading thermometers

Public Opinion

May-88

Brookings

Huron AFSS assumed monitor of Brookings VOR and RCO

personal knowledge

May-88

Huron

Huron AFSS assumed tie-in responsibility for all airports along highway 14. Formerly Watertown FSS tie-in airports

personal knowledge

Jul-88

Watertown

Princeton AFSS assumed control of Madison; Minnesota RCO

personal knowledge

Huron

Huron AFSS assumed monitoring responsibility and voice capabilities for Pierre; Rapid City; Wine; Dupree and Philip VOR/VORTACs. Frequency 122.1 decommissioned at Pierre

Pierre FSS records

1/3/1989

Watertown

Article on weather. Tim Baker in photo looking at weather maps

Public Opinion

4/1/1989

Huron

Huron AFSS assumed tie-in responsibility for all airports belonging to Pierre FSS

Pierre FSS Records

1/31/1991

Huron

Mesaba discontinued service to Mitchell; Brookings and Huron. Replaced tie GP Express with flights Mitchell-Huron-Brookings-Minneapolis in Beech 1900

personal knowledge

2/22/1991

Pierre

Intra-state airline discontinued service due to lack of use

personal knowledge

Oct-91

Pierre

State subsidized intra-state airline began operation. Service provided by GP Express. Flights with Beech 99 Spearfish-Pierre-Sioux Falls and return twice a day. Cessna 402 flew Yankton-Mitchell-Huron-Pierre-Aberdeen-Brooking-Sioux Falls and reverse twice

personal knowledge

9/22/1993

Rapid City

Rapid City FSS decommissioned at 12:01am

personal knowledge

9/29/1993

Aberdeen

Aberdeen FSS decommissioned at 10pm

personal knowledge

1994

Watertown

Watertown FSS decommissioned at 10pm [not the exact date]