Western Nebraska Regional Airport (IATA: BFF, ICAO: KBFF, FAA LID: BFF) (William B. Heilig Field) is a public airport three miles east of Scottsbluff, in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska. The airport is owned by the Airport Authority of Scotts Bluff County. It sees one passenger airline, subsidized by the Essential Air Service program.
The airport is named after William B. Heilig. Known as “Scottsbluff’s Mr. Aviation,” he was a World War II United States Army Air Force primary flight instructor, a civilian flight instructor, and manager of the city’s airport.
WESTERN NEB. RGNL/WILLIAM B. HEILIG AIRPORT HISTORY
Western Nebraska Regional Airport was established in 1934. The original airport had a hangar, commercial airline connections, air mail service, lighted fields, a weather bureau station, and a record as a pilot training facility .
With the United States entry into World War II Scottsbluff promoted its municipal airport for military/defense purposes. On September 5, 1942 an announcement was made that Scottsbluff was selected as one of seven satellite air bases to be in Nebraska. Twenty-eight farms were vacated so construction could begin at a cost of 5.5 million dollars. The original Scottsbluff Municipal Airport was forced to close to make way for the new airfield; the old airport later became a prisoner of war camp.
WESTERN NEB. RGNL/WILLIAM B. HEILIG AIRPORT LOCATION
Western Nebraska Regional Airport (IATA: BFF, ICAO: KBFF, FAA LID: BFF) (William B. Heilig Field) is a public airport three miles east of Scottsbluff, in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska.
WESTERN NEB. RGNL/WILLIAM B. HEILIG AIRPORT FACTS
ICAO/IATA: BFF/KBFF
Lat: 41°52′26″N
Long: 103°35′44″W
Elevation: 3967 ft.
Runway length available: 05/23 8001×150 ft. :: 12/30 8279×150 ft.
