Factors Governing the Location of Airports

The rapid growth of aerial transportation in the United States since about 1924, and, particularly, the wide interest shown since the spectacular transatlantic flight of Colonel Lindbergh, have developed the need of landing fields and airports in many communities. It is the purpose of this paper to outline, briefly, those things which should be taken into consideration when selecting a site to be used as an airport. The factors are discussed in detail and a method of rating is suggested by which various sites under consideration may be compared, one with another. Matters pertaining to layout or design of fields are not discussed, except as they may affect the general size. While the subject-matter herein presented applies primarily to airports which will be used by heavier-than-air land planes, much of it applies also to the selection of terminal facilities for seaplanes. The development of lighter-than-air craft, or dirigibles, has not yet progressed to the stage where it has become necessary to provide facilities for them upon a large scale, and sufficient experience has not yet been acquired in their operation from a commercial standpoint to warrant the consideration herein of landing fields for this type of aircraft.