bentonville municipal airport
Louise M. Thaden Field
| Photo by Nathan Fairchild |
| Statistics |
| Acres: |
140 |
| Runway ID: |
18/36 |
| Runway Length |
4,427' |
| Runway Width: |
65' |
| Surface Type: |
Asphalt |
| Elevation |
1296 |
| Latitude: |
36-20-44.5750N |
| Longitude: |
094-13-09.6420W |
| Fuel: |
100LL & Jet A |
| Approach: |
GPS WASS, Non-precision |
| Weather: |
AWOS-3 |
| Approach Lighting: |
REILS |
2500 SW Aviation Street
The Bentonville Municipal Airport – Louise M. Thaden Field, houses 41 single engine and two multiple engine aircraft.
The newly constructed main terminal has a pilots lounge, conference room, restrooms, breaks/concessions room, and computers
with Internet access.
The City of Bentonville owns one enclosed t-hangar with six units and one open t-hangar with five units. There are five private
box hangars of various sizes and a sixth enclosed t-hangar with eight units.
FBO:
Services:
- Cargo Services
- Charter Services
- Flight Instruction
- Airplane Rental
- Airplane Sales
- Courtesy Car
For car rentals, lodging, and restaurant information, check with the Bentonville/Bella Vista Chamber of Commerce at (479)273-2841
or the Bentonville Convention & Visitors Bureau at (479)271-9153.
Links:
- Arkansas Airport Operators Association
- FAA
- FAA Safety
- Pilot Outlook
- Arkansas Airport Operators Association
- Arkansas Department of Aeronautics
- Airport Summary Report
Louise M. Thaden
 In
1951 the airport was named after Louise McPhetridge Thaden who was born in
Bentonville on November 12, 1905. She was aviation pioneer and set the
women's altitude record, solo endurance record, and speed record in the late
1920's. She was the most famous female American aviator of her time, only
after Amelia Earhart.
Louise earned her pilot's certificate in 1928: No. 850, signed by Orville
Wright. She co-founded, with Earhart, the Ninety-Nines, an International
organization for female pilots.
In 1936, Thaden, and co-pilot Blanche Noyes, became the first women to win
the Bendix Transcontinental Air Race. She won aviation's highest honor
given a female pilot, and the Harmon Trophy, a year later.
Louise married Herbert Von Thaden, a former United States Army pilot &
Engineer, in 1928. They had two children, Bill & Pat. She authored
her memories in High, Wide, and Frightened, as well as many other
articles about aviation. On November 9, 1979, Louise M Thaden died of a
heart attack in High Point, NC.
| 
