History
In 1943, the U.S. Government constructed the airport on land jointly owned by both cities. The airfield included two 5,000 feet (1,500 m) x 150 feet (46 m) runways with an associated taxiway system. The U.S. Government developed the airport and its facilities to serve as an outlying field (OLF) to Naval Air Station Sanford during World War II. The airport was built by the Civil Aeronautics Administration under the "Development of Landing Areas for National Defense" Program to help relieve other area military bases of training exercises required as a result of World War II. The government retained control of the airport throughout the duration of the war.
After the war, the U.S. Navy transferred the airport property and associated improvements to the War Assets Administration, which deeded the airport back to the Cities of Titusville and Cocoa by a Surrender of Lease and Quit Claim Deed dated April 18, 1947.
An airport authority was established by the Cities of Titusville and Cocoa to own, operate, improve, and maintain the airport. The property was transferred to the authority by Quit Claim Deeds from the City of Titusville on March 14, 1961 and from the City of Cocoa on April 11, 1961.
Having previously utilized military facilities on nearby Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) began development of its own civilian manned launch facilities, in what became the John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC), on Merritt Island in the early 1960s. The advantageous location of the airport allowed it to play an increasingly important role in the transportation of NASA personnel and equipment.
The "Titusville-Cocoa Airport District Act of 1963" created the Titusville-Cocoa Airport District and the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority ("Authority") to govern the operations of the airport facilities. The Authority was created to service the local, commercial, and corporate aviation needs as well as to stimulate economic growth in the local communities. The Authority replaced the original airport authority established in 1959. This legislation commissioned the Authority to govern the affairs of the Airport District. This currently includes Space Coast Regional Airport, Arthur Dunn Airpark, and Merritt Island Airport.
The 1963 Act established policies for the funding of Authority activities, including an ad valorem tax not to exceed one mil on all taxable properties within the geographical bounds of the District. Also included was the authorization of the District to issue general obligation bonds and revenue bonds to finance the acquisition, construction, or development of airport property or facilities.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the airport had scheduled airline service via Eastern Airlines, which utilized Boeing 727 or McDonnell Douglas DC-9 aircraft for scheduled air service in and out of TIX. However, minimal customers and the effects of airline deregulation in 1978 led to Eastern eventually discontinuing service.
In 2010, the airport made regional news when a pilot, flying at night, hit a deer on takeoff. He landed the plane with a damaged gear, but no major damage. There is a 7 feet (2.1 m) fence surrounding the airport.
Read more about this topic: Space Coast Regional Airport
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