McGhee Tyson Airport (IATA: TYS, ICAO: KTYS, FAA LID: TYS) is a joint civil-military public airport serving the Knoxville metropolitan area and located approximately 10 miles (16 km) south of the central business district of Knoxville, in Alcoa, Blount County, Tennessee, United States. It is owned by the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.[1] Commercial service is provided by several major airlines and connection carriers.
The airport is named for United States Navy pilot Charles McGhee Tyson, lost on patrol in World War I.[2]
The airport also serves as the home of McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, an airbase for the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard.
Facilities and aircraft
McGhee Tyson Airport covers an area of 2,250 acres (911 ha) which contains two parallel runways: 5L/23R measuring 9,005 x 150 ft (2,745 x 46 m) and 5R/23L measuring 9,000 x 150 ft (2,743 x 46 m).[1]
The FBO (fixed based operator) general aviation facility is operated by TAC Air (formerly Knoxair and Cherokee Aviation).
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2007, the airport had 138,682 aircraft operations, an average of 379 per day: 41% general aviation, 40% air taxi, 13% military and 6% scheduled commercial. At that time there were 173 aircraft based at this airport: 39% single-engine, 26% multi-engine, 13% jet, 1% helicopter and 20% military.[1]
Air National Guard Base
Part of the McGhee Tyson Airport is dedicated to the McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, an airbase for the 134th Air Refueling Wing of the Tennessee Air National Guard. Originally established as McGhee Tyson Air Force Base in 1952, the installation was transferred to Air National Guard control in 1957.
The 134 ARW, which is operationally gained by the Air Mobility Command (AMC), operates KC-135 Stratotankers for both air mobility and aerial refueling of military aircraft. Collocated on McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base (ANGB) as a tenant command is the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment and its associated Army Aviation Support Facility of the Tennessee Army National Guard, operating several OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters. McGhee Tyson ANGB is also home to the I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center and its associated Academy of Military Science (AMS). Similar to U.S. Air Force (USAF) Officer Training School (OTS), AMS is an alternate commissioning source for USAF officers who are directly inputted into various units of the Air National Guard throughout the United States. [3][4]
Airport terminal layout
McGhee Tyson Airport has two levels. The top level is accessed via the curbside drop off and the parking garage. The top level is used for ticketing counters, security, gates, and restaurant/shops. It contains a Smoky Mountain theme, complete with faux waterfalls and wood carvings of bears. The bottom level is used for car rental counters, two baggage claims, and airline offices.
Sign welcoming travelers to Knoxville. Viewed immediately after exiting secured area.
Airlines and destinations
Cargo
See also
References
External links
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