History
The first recorded flight in Billings was in 1912 by a local dentist named Dr. Frank Bell. The flight was flown in his home-made airplane Curtiss 0-X-5.
The "First" flight was made on Memorial Day 1913, with much publicity, Dr. Bell took off from Billings flying to Park City and back, a round trip distance of 40 miles (64 km). This historic flight was captured by a local artist named J.K. Ralston in his painting entitled "First Flight," which is displayed in the lobby of the Billings Logan International Airport.
By 1927, the people of Billings realized that the community was in need of an airport. The City of Billings approved $5,000 and 400 acres (162 ha) on top of the Rims to construct a runway. The 1,820-foot (550 m) runway and small administrative building was constructed by using a horse-drawn equipment. The runway and building was completed in 1928. The Billings Municipal Airport was opened on May 29, 1928.
After the airport was established, Northwest Airlines was the first major airline to begin air services to Billings in 1933.
Major improvements over the years include the first runway lights installed in 1935 to the new 120-foot (37 m) air traffic control tower completed in 2005. Major terminal expansions were made in 1958, 1972 and 1992. In early 2006, the airport added electronic monitors that provide real-time updates on flight arrivals and departures.
The airport changed from the Billings Municipal Airport to Billings Logan Field in 1957, after Dick Logan, the airport manager, died. Then in 1971 the airport was renamed Billings Logan International Airport.
Read more about this topic: Billings Logan International Airport
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
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“All history is a record of the power of minorities, and of minorities of one.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)