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WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT
Nation's Capital Newest on Route Of The Pacemakers
The Washington National Airport is one of three non-military airports owned by the United States Government. The other two are in
Alaska. All three are operated by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce. The airport is operated as
a business enterprise and administered olong the lines of a municipality.
The airport organization isdivlded into three principal functions; Administration, Protection and Engineering, and Maintenance . Rules
and regulations formulated by the airport have the force and effect of law. Funds are appropriated each year by Congress for the
operation of the airport. All revenue derived by the airport is deposited in the United States Treasury and is not available for reuse
by the airport.
Three years after construction was initiated, the airport was opened June 16, 1941. The field was dedicated by the President of the
United States and turned over to the CAA for operation.
Cost of building the airport, exclusive of later enlargements and improvements, was about $16,000,000.
Today, Washington National Airport is crowded beyond its capacity at peak conditions. Capacity of an airport is determined both
by ground operations and, in times of instrument weather operations, by the number of aircraft in the airspace that can be handled.
A second airport for Washington is now being considered.
The public is encouraged to visit the airport and observe its efficient operation. There is a long observation deck on the terminal
building from which the visitor can view all phases of operations of both military and civilian airlines.
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Georgia McKee
Communications Agent
Bill Clark
Station Manager DCA
L. Bill Hamilton R. Iona Carr
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