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Avon Park Jet Center (AVO) (Unicom122.8)
AWOS 118.725 - Phone # 863-453-4223
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is located less than 1 mile from Historical
downtown Avon Park, FL , centrally
located in central Florida’s “Heartland”. |
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Avon Park
Executive Airport |
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Avon
Park Airport - 1939 |
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Location: West side of the city on SR 64 at latitude 27 35’ N, |
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longitude 81 31.67’ W. Elevation 155 feet above mean sea level |
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Approach Information: Runway 4/22 has an asphalt surface |
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100 feel wide by 5,375 feel long and is lighted. Runway 9/27 |
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has an asphalt surface and is 75 feet wide by 3,825 feet long. |
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Hangar Rental: |
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T-Hangars: $150.00 - $350.00, |
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Contact Florida Aircraft Services (863)453-5046 |
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FBO Open Hangar Space: $200.00 and up, |
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Contact Florida Aircraft Services (863)453-5046 |
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History: |
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Lodwick Aviation Military Academy |
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The following
information provided courtesy of MyFlorida.com |
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Army Air Corps (AAC) Chief, General Henry “Hap” Arnold,
turned primary pilot training over to other agencies in an attempt to allow the AAC
personnel time to concentrate on later stages of training. As a consequence of this policy
a number of civilian pilot training schools were employed for training purposes. Town
fathers in Avon Park aggressively sought such a school to be located at the site of the
Avon Park Municipal Airport. Negotiations with Albert Lodwick, co-owner of the Lakeland
School of Aeronautics resulted in Lodwick Aviation Military Academy (LAMA) opening in
October 1941 at the municipal field.
By adapting the former Highlands Lakes Hotel,
a former golf course, an old casino, and several former resort structures, Lodwick created
a primary training school using fifty Stearman PT-17 trainers. Because of multiple
locations, it was necessary to transport students by bus between barracks and airfield.
Using the remodeled hotel however, provided recruits with accommodations more luxurious
than most other Army installations. The Jacaranda Hotel in Avon Park, a National Register
of Historic Places listed site, reserved a special room for use as a Cadet Club. The
cadets each paid $1.00 monthly for membership and hosted a dance for the first graduating
class on December 6, 1941. Severe housing shortages, particularly for civilian employees,
contributed to problematic turnovers at both LAMA and Avon Park Army Air Field. Many of
these civilian employees were women.
With the successful prosecution of the war on
the part of the Allies, Lodwick Aviation Military Academy was order closed on November 6,
1944. During the three years of operation, 3,413 recruits graduated and over 300 civilians
were employed during peak periods. The economic loss to Avon Park was dramatic.
At the end of the war the facility reverted
back to the city for operation as the Avon Park Municipal Airport. In February 1995 the
Air Force Association placed plaques at the Jacaranda Hotel in Avon Park, the Avon Park
Municipal Airport, and the on the grounds of the former Walker Memorial Hospital
(Highlands Lakes Hotel and Casino) to honor the men of the 61st AAFFTD. |
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Alumni |
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Avon Park, FL |
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(photo courtesy of Avon Park Chamber of Commerce) |
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Courtesy of
the
Avon Park Chamber of Commerce: |
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Welcome to Avon Park, with its historic green
“Mile Long Mile” and landmark Jacaranda Hotel, downtown Avon Park recalls an
epoch in Florida whose memory continues to linger. The town’s origin dates back to
1884 when a writer from Connecticut became fascinated with the area’s pristine beauty
and agricultural potential.Oliver Martin Corsby was first introducec to Florida when he
signed on as editor of “The South” a New Your publication that promoted Florida
to northerners. He became an original investor and marketed the area abroad. One of h is
respondants was a dynamic couple from Englan, Mr. and Mrs. William King. After settling in
the area Mrs. King suggested they cnage the name from lake Forest to Avon Park. “This
beautiful wilderness of stately pines and clear lakes” reminded her of her original
home, Stratford-on-Avon. Currently, Avon Park is home to year round boating, fishing,
flying, …. In addition to the Avon Park Municipal Airport and Jet Center and
it’s inclusive businesses, Avon Park, Fl is also conveniently located near: |
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Local Attractions:
The Depot Museum
2 miles
Jacaranda Hotel
2 miles
Highlands Hammock State Park
8 miles
South Florida Community College
3 miles
Avon Park Bombing Range
9 miles
Sebring International Raceway
20
miles |
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Florida Attractions:
Bok Tower and Sanctuary, Lake Wales, FL 25 miles
Sun-n-Fun Complex, Lakeland, FL
60
miles
Sea World, Orlando, FL
60 miles
Disney World, Orlando, FL
63 miles |
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Florida Cities:
Sebring
5 miles
Lake Wales
23 miles
Lakeland
60 miles
Orlando
78 miles
Tampa
82 miles
Sarasota
92 miles
West Palm Beach
123 miles
Daytona Beach
152 miles
Miami
174 miles
Tallahassee
298 miles |
