For the past years now, we had seen how our advancing technology improved our lives, communications, businesses, products and means of transportation worldwide. Just like the different Airport terminals across the globe, they had been showing impressive changes and achieving great recognition as the best. Most of the countries nowadays have airports with remarkable amenities and providing the most convenient service.
Of course, there is definitely the first ever-built airport in the world that had been part of our lives. According to history, the first and oldest operating airport in the world is the College Park Airport (CGS or KCGS) in Maryland. The exact location is in the College Park City within the County of Prince George in Maryland, United States. They considered as a public airport in America and built back in August of 1909 to serve as a training ground for the two military officers headed by Wilbur Wright that time.
Based on the shared information about Wright, he needed to train the officers (Lt. Frank Lahm and Frederic Humphreys) to fly the first airplane of the American government Wilbur actually worked with his brother Orville during that time to complete the training flight of the military officers. The Wright brothers had an agreement with the US government to help them improve their military capacity, specifically in flying airplanes.
Recognized as the oldest active airport in the world also, the CGS or KCGS is likewise popular as the “Field of Firsts” and had been part of the rich history of the aviation industry worldwide. It is home of the many and different “First” flights such as the following:
- First powered aircraft mile-high flight
- First controlled helicopter flight
- First female passenger
This is the main reason why many famous aviators and pilots are knowledgeable about this first ever airport.
The first plane to use this historic airport is the Wright Type A, which they assembled back in October 7, 1908. In year 1911, the College Park Airport started to allow civilian airplanes, particularly in the month of December.
In year 1973, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) bought the oldest operating airport and made it an important gateway to connect the County of Prince George and the State of Washington, as detailed through history.pgparks.com. Since then, the first and oldest airport has consistently accommodation thousands of flights from different airline companies across America and worldwide.
In September 23, 1977, the National Register of Historic Places included the College Park Airport in their list to give recognition to its years of existence.
In year 1981, the local government made a decision to setup a museum near the CGS known as the College Park Aviation Museum and opened it in public. However, it went fully operational not until 1998 after the renovation and under the partnership of Smithsonian Institute.
This particular museum today is offering different types of lectures, important gatherings and various exhibits, important programs for organizations, schools and for the public. According to the information published through Wikipedia also, the College Park Aviation Museum is home of the different interesting facts and materials about the rich history of aviation, particularly in Maryland State.
The story of the first and oldest airport in the world is truly interesting to learn. For the past years of its existence in the United States, it had been serving as an important location that connects people from different places who are heading to College Park and in Maryland. Because the airport has convenient access to the railroad transits also, it makes the travel period faster.
The College Park Airport now features better improvements and modern-day amenities like public WIFI connectivity for the benefits of all its valued passengers across the globe.
Credit images: marylandregionalaviation.aero
