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On the Hunt for Diamonds in the Rough

Over the past 22 years, Paul Freeman has crowdsourced descriptions and images of (at present) 2,542 abandoned and little-known airfields, from all 50 states.

Paul Freeman started his search for forgotten airports in 1999. Contributed photo
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Paul Freeman's "Abandoned and Little-Known Airfields" is a website launched in 1999 that crowdsources and documents over 2,500 defunct airfields across all 50 states, born from his curiosity about abandoned airfield symbols on FAA sectionals.
  • The project serves as a forum for aviation history, allowing Freeman to share his research and others to contribute stories, images, and memories of these often-forgotten sites, with each entry requiring official depiction as an airport.
  • Many airfields, such as Greater Southwest International Airport, closed due to political decisions or rising property values, leading to redevelopment into commercial sites or residential areas.
  • Beyond historical preservation, the website aims to raise awareness about ongoing airport closures in the U.S., motivating readers to support and advocate for the protection of existing airfields.
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“On the following pages, you will find information on vanished or abandoned airfields and their unusual histories,” foreshadows Abandoned and Little-Known Airfields on its home page.

Grant Boyd

Grant Boyd is a private pilot with eight years of experience in aviation business, including marketing, writing, customer service, and sales. Boyd holds a Bachelor's and a Master's of Business Administration degree, both from Wichita State University, and a Doctor of Education degree from Oklahoma State University. He was chosen as a NBAA Business Aviation ""Top 40 Under 40"" award recipient in 2020.

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