Palmdale Regional - Air Force Plant 42
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| ICAO Code | KPMD/PMD |
| Last Validated | |
| City | Palmdale, CA |
| Position | 34°37'46"N 118°05'04"W |
| Runway(s) | 04/22, 07/27 |
| Elevation | 2543 ft |
General
Originally Palmdale Regional Airport / Air Force Plant 42 (AFP42) is a combined airfield with both civil and military usage. In the late 90s, the local government had big plans for Palmdale Regional Airport to relief the pressure of flights at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Around 2001, they decided to use other existing airports for that task. Since then, civil flights are very rare here. The military usage of this airfield made this airfield well known in aviation history. During the 1980s, it was the mayor support facility for both the U-2 and the SR-71 Blackbird fleet. Later on, Northrop-Grumman facilitated its B-2 assembly line here, followed by the current production line of the RQ-4 Global Hawk and other UAVs. Beside Northrop-Grumman, you can find here two other mayor aviation companies; Lockheed-Martin and Boeing.
Layout
Around the massive area of the airfield, the large hangars of the several aviation companies can be found. In the the west, the complex of Lockheed-Martin Skunk Works can be found with its entrance at Blackbird Ln. In the north companies like Boeing and Nortrop-Grumman can be found. In the center of the airfield, just south of the runways, Palmdale Regional Airport can be found. The entrance, towards the aiport, is located next to the Blackbird Air Park at spot 1. Without any regular flights, this side of the airfield is nearly deserted.
Getting There
Palmdale Regional Airport / Air Force Plant 42 is located between Lancaster and Palmdale and it is easily reachable while driving on the Antelope Valley Free Way (14), which runs from Interstate 5 at Santa Clarita, in the south, to Mojave, in the north. Take exit 37, which brings you at W Avenue P. When driving in western direction you will pass the Blackbird Air Park (Spot 1) on you left hand side.
Around the Airport
F-16 preserved at Lockheed Martin gate, spot 5 (Coert van Breda)
Frequencies
| 121.900 / 348.600 | Ground |
| 123.700 / 317.600 | Tower |
| 236.600 | Tower |
Preserved
| N816NA (82-0976) | F-16A (at Lockheed-Martin gate) |
| N812NA | F-104N (at Lockheed-Martin gate) |
More Info
| Palmdale Regional Airport | Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) website |
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