Thread: The First Air Force One

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downtown airport by the river---didn't twa or continental put one in the water there???

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

downtown airport by the river---didn't twa or continental put one in the water there???

Jerry, back in the day they said that the Kansas City's Municipal Airport was one of the most hated airports by pilots in the continental US because the main approach from the NNE comes in over a hill with the end of the runway near the bottom of a bluff, and the SSW end is very close to the Missouri River. It's location is in a spot where the river makes a near 160 degree bend, so there's water on both sides, too, and as they extended the runways over the years going closer to the river was the only option. Landing from the south passengers got instructions on water landings, just like on the coasts. Pilots hated it because from the north they had to skirt low over the hill top and then drop down quickly to use the whole runway, and from the south they came in low over the river and had to skirt the dikes surrounding the entire south end, and again drop down to make use of the whole runway. Takeoffs were not liked either, as they needed to get airborne quickly and gain altitude to clear the bluffs or the dike. I think that a TWA Connie came in during a heavy rain in '65, hydroplaned on the runway and broke into three pieces as it slid over the dike to the river, but amazingly all passengers survived. They no longer allow the bigger planes to use the old Muni airport. Lots of the bigger planes, including presidential & VP flights, use New Century, the old US Navy Air Station near Olathe/Gardner.