Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields:
Southwestern Pennsylvania
© 2002, © 2010 by Paul Freeman. Revised 5/1/10.
Bettis Field (revised 5/1/10) - Campbell Airport (1st location) (revised 3/5/08)
Campbell Airport (2nd location) / Pittsburgh Metro Airport (revised 10/17/09) - Mayer Field (revised 5/1/10)
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40.37 North / 80.1 West (Southeast of Pittsburgh, PA)
The earliest depiction which has been located of Mayer Field
was a 1922 photo of Casper Mayer in front of an unidentified biplane (courtesy of Kenneth Scholter).
Aviation pioneer Casper Mayer established Mayer Field in 1919.
Mayer Field was one of the first commercial airfields in the Pittsburgh area.
A circa 1920s photo of pilots Ed "Dutch" Schultz & Frank Mayer in front of Mayer's first airplane (a Laird Swallow) at Mayer Field.
The earliest chart depiction which has been located of Mayer Field
was in the 1929 Pennsylvania Rand McNally Standard Indexed Map with Air Trails (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Bob Rambo)
described Mayer Field as a commercial airport,
consisting of a 40-acre rectangular sod field having 3 cinder runways,
with the longest being the 1,625' northeast/southwest strip.
A hangar was said to be marked with “Mayer Field Bridgeville PA”.
A November 9, 1938 aerial view of Mayer Field
depicted it as an open grass area, with at least 2 runways, oriented east/west & northeast/southwest.
A circular airport marking was in the center of the field,
and several buildings were located on the eastern corner of the field.
An undated aerial view of Mayer Field (courtesy of Joe Fife).
Three planes were visible on the field at the top-right, including one visible inside a hangar, which was marked with “Mayer” on the roof.
The field appeared to consist of a single unpaved runway.
Joe recalled, “I grew up in Bridgeville & went there as a small boy to look at airplanes.
These pictures came from an aviation historian in Bridgeville - John Bennett.
He owned a drug store in Bridgeville, and flew out of Mayer Field.”
An undated (circa 1920s or 30s?) aerial view of Mayer Field (courtesy of Jack Haller).
The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Mayer Field
was on the March 1940 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Richard Finley).
It depicted Mayer as a commercial/municipal field.
The last photo which has been located of Mayer Field was a 10/29/43 aerial view looking north
from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock).
It depicted Mayer Field as an irregularly-shaped grass landing area.
The April 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
described Mayer Field as having a 1,600' unpaved runway.
The 1945 Haire Publishing Company Airport Directory (courtesy of Chris Kennedy)
described Mayer Airport as a “class s-1” airfield, owned by Eckert Keystone Aviation, Inc.,
and operated & managed by George Eckert.
The airport was said to consist of a 26 acre rectangular field,
which had a 2,000' cinder southwest/northeast runway
and a 1,600' sod east/west runway.
The field was also said to have a 110' x 60' hangar, and to offer training, fuel, and service.
The 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) described Mayer Field
as a 62 acre irregularly-shaped property within which were 2 sod runways: 1,625' northeast/southwest & 1,080' north/south.
The field was said to have 2 metal hangars, the largest measuring 100' x 50',
and it was described as being owned & operated by private interests.
Ginnie Wauthier recalled, “I lived directly across the street from the airport
and my husband lived right next to the hangar.
I have pictures from 1949 of my dad holding me outside our home & in the back ground was Mayer airport.”
The last depiction which has been located of Mayer Field
was on the January 1955 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It depicted Mayer as having a 1,400' unpaved runway.
Mayer Field evidently closed at some point in 1955,
as it was no longer depicted at all on the December 1955 Cleveland Sectional Chart (according to Chris Kennedy).
According to resident Ginnie Wauthier, “Mayer airport was sold
so that the shopping center [the Great Southern Shopping Center] could be built.”
By the time of a May 7, 1957 aerial photo,
the shopping center had been built over the site of Mayer Field,
and there was no longer any trace remaining of the former airport.
In the 1993 USGS aerial photo,
there did not appear to be any trace remaining of the former Mayer Field.
Joe Fife reported in 2006 that the site of the airport “is now the Great Southern Shopping Center.”
The site of Mayer Field is located north of the intersection of Route 50 & Mayer Road,
appropriately enough.
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40.36 North / 79.9 West (Southeast of Downtown Pittsburgh, PA)
Bettis Field in 1927, during a visit by Charles Lindbergh.
Charles Lindbergh lands the "Spirit of St. Louis" at Bettis Field in 1927.
The terminal building at Bettis Field, circa 1920s.
This field was originally known as the Pittsburgh-McKeesport Airport.
An early Mifflin Township resident, Barr Peat,
lived quite near to the end of a field where early barnstorming aviators would land.
One day a plane landed in the field,
and the grass was so high that the pilot did not see a tree stump & crashed his plane on landing.
This planted the seed into Barr Peat’s mind that there ought to be an airport around here somewhere.
When Barr Peat looked down from this grassy meadow at the top of the hill
he noticed a big beautiful pasture directly below.
This 144 acre property was owned by Harry Neel.
Barr Peat contacted Neel, who was a personal friend,
and made a deal in 1924 to allow planes to land on his property.
This began a 25 year span for the flying field.
Airplane rides were sold for a small charge,
and aerobatics were performed for the thrilled spectators who began to appear.
Soon other planes arrived & the site started to look like an airport.
Crowds assembled every weekend to the field to take rides
and watch all the excitement the early aviators had to show.
While the thrills of flying went on, Barr Peat continued working on his dream of an airport.
Barr Peat scraped some money up to have the field graded.
Sam Brendel put a "couple of thousand dollars" into supplying the field with aviation fuel & oil.
The first airshow at this fledgling airfield was promoted in 1925 with the help of Congressman Clyde Kelly.
The U.S. Army Air Corps brought transports, bombers, and pursuit planes.
There was parachute jumping & an air race.
Elmer Best stated, "It was on a triangular course, about 15 miles around.
One pylon, about 30 feet high, was at the intersection of Homestead-Duquesne Road & Brierly Lane."
Sightseeing rides & air show thrills were becoming a regular thing for many residents.
They could take flying lessons from Bob Trader’s flying school.
Aviation was catching on in the area at the Pittsburgh-McKeesport Airport, as it was known at that time.
Aviators began using the field more
and the Airways Tavern was built across from the airport.
In 1925, with some other small buildings on the field & grading completed,
the Pittsburgh-McKeesport Airport Company announced the opening of the field to the public.
Attending this grand affair was Lt. Cyrus Bettis & the Army Air Corps.
The airport was managed by Barr Peat who welcomed spectators to inspect the facilities.
The opening also included the announcement that the field would become the base of operations
for air mail service under government contract.
Barr Peat & Cliff Ball were very anxious & willing to progress.
They knew that the business was there.
It was up to Cliff Ball to buy the equipment & he was continuously looking for new equipment.
When Ball bought airplanes in those days they were "bare-bone"
and a lot of other things had to be purchased.
They were interested in getting the airmail service started.
In 1925 the Kelly Air Mail Act provided that private carriers could bid on airmail contracts.
The nation’s first contract was awarded to Clifford Ball Airlines.
The contract was for the 120 miles between Pittsburgh & Cleveland.
Due to some equipment & financial problems the airmail service did not start until 1927.
Cliff Ball Airlines did announce a passenger service between Pittsburgh & Cleveland.
Fares were $15 one-way & $25 round trip for a one hour twenty-minute flight each way.
Aviation during the Twenties was highlighted by barnstorming & air racing.
Lt. Cyrus Bettis, of the U.S. Army Air Corps,
won the Mitchell Trophy for air racing in 1924 & the Pulitzer Trophy in 1925 with a world record flying speed of 249 mph.
He also represented the Army in air shows around the country.
In 1926 Lt. Bettis was en route from Philadelphia to Selfridge Field in Michigan,
leading a formation of 3 Army airplanes.
Near Bellefonte, PA they encountered a heavy fog & Bettis hit the treetops & crashed into Jack’s mountain.
After he regained consciousness,
Bettis crawled to a road several miles away.
He was rescued & taken to Walter Reed Hospital.
He seemed to be recovering from his wounds, but 14 days later he died when complications set in.
To honor this great aviator the airfield was renamed as Bettis Field in 1926.
Roscoe Turner came to Bettis Field with what was at the time the largest biplane in the world,
a Sikorsky twin-engine bomber.
In 1927, the first airmail was received & sent out on Cliff Ball Airlines.
Ball had purchased 9 biplanes.
At least one of these, the Miss Pittsburgh, survives today in Rhinebeck, NY.
The blue & silver craft, carrying the mail in a front baggage area,
flew daily from Pittsburgh to Cleveland.
Also in 1927, Charles Lindbergh landed at Bettis,
in the course of his goodwill tour of the world in the Spirit of St. Louis.
The airfield was packed that day.
"The streets were lined with people all the way through Lincoln Place" recalled Walt Godleski.
At the airport the Spirit was put in a hangar sideways,
because it would not fit in the largest hangar otherwise.
Ken Scholter, remembered that the stipulation for Lindbergh’s appearance
was the Spirit had to be hangared.
"We greased some boards & slid the wheels along them into the hangar," recalled Scholter.
Col. Lindbergh left at noon the next day as a crowd of 30,000 cheered him.
In 1928 the National Elimination Balloon Races were held at Bettis Field.
According to reports more than 150,000 people jammed the field,
the largest crowd ever to witness an air event in Pittsburgh.
The 14 entrants got the weather go-ahead & lifted off at 6 p.m.
Within a half hour a thunderstorm brewed & the balloons were caught.
A number of them were struck by lightning & went down.
Army balloon No. 3 was hit near Youngwood, PA,
and Lt. Paul Evert died in the crash.
In 1928, Barr Peat & Bo Phelan, another investor in the airport company,
sold their original shares they purchased for $2,000 for $50,000 each.
In 1929 Ball sold his remaining interests to Curtiss-Wright.
Cliff Ball Airlines eventually evolved into Pennsylvania Airlines.
Bettis Field, as depicted on the 1929 Rand McNally "Standard Indexed Map With Air Trails" (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
It described Bettis Field as being operated by the Pittsburgh-McKeesport Airport Corporation.
The field was described as being 1,650' x 2,500' in size, with a beacon light & landing lights.
From 1929 on Bettis Field began losing some of its glamor.
The depression hit, taking away jobs & money & the novelty of airplanes flying was beginning to wear off.
Bill Wood recalled, “I grew up in McKeesport
and my uncle, August (Gus) Becker, owned & operated the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics from 1929.
Gus Becker purchased Bettis Field from Curtis-Wright in 1930
and used the facility from the early 1930s.
Bettis Field was used by the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
for training aircraft & engine mechanics for work in the civil & military aviation field.
Most civilian graduates were later employed by the airlines operating in the USA.”
A 1930 aerial view of Bettis Field.
In 1932 the Allegheny County Airport opened only one mile to the west,
and it was at that time the largest airport on record.
Commercial planes & transports moved there, leaving Bettis with small private planes.
The 1934 Department of Commerce Airport Directory (according to Chris Kennedy)
described "Pittsburgh-Bettis Airport" as being an irregular sod field measuring 2,500' x 2,200',
with 3 hard-surfaced runways in the center of the field, with the longest being an 1,800' north/south strip.
An undated aerial view looking northeast at Bettis Field (courtesy of Dan Almashy),
showing 3 runways, as well as several hangars along the west side of the field.
An aerial view looking northwest at Bettis Field,
from The Airport Directory Company's 1937 Airports Directory (courtesy of Tom Beamer).
The directory described Bettis Field as having 3 sod runways, with the longest being the 1,800' north/south strip.
The aerial photo in the directory depicted 2 fairly substantial hangars on the west side of the field,
which were described as having "Curtiss-Bettis" painted on the roof.
A circa 1930s aerial view looking southwest at Bettis Field (courtesy of Bill Wood).
An October 2, 1938 aerial view (courtesy of David Brooks) depicted Bettis Field as having 3 paved runways,
with the hangars & administration building along the southwest side of the field.
The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of Bettis Field
was on the March 1940 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Richard Finley).
It depicted Bettis as a commercial/municipal field.
Bill Wood recalled, “My father, Bill Wood,
was the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics superintendent during most of World War 2.”
Bettis Field, as depicted on the 1943 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Chris Kennedy).
The last photo which has been located of Bettis Field while still operational was a 10/29/43 aerial view looking north
from the 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock).
It depicted Mayer Field as an open grass landing area with 2 hangars along the west side.
Bill Wood recalled, “World War 2 was spent training US Army Air Force mechanics under contract to the War Department.
Classrooms were located in the Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics building in downtown Pittsburgh.
Bettis Field had 2 hangars & a number of shops that were used to give practical experience working on aircraft & powerplants.”
The runway at Bettis was evidently paved by 1944,
as the 1944 US Army/Navy Directory of Airfields (courtesy of Ken Mercer)
described Bettis Field as having a 2,500' hard-surface runway.
A 1945 Pittsburgh Department of City Planning topo map labeled the property as “Curtiss-Wright Corporation Bettis Field Airport.”
It depicted the terminal building & 3 hangars, along with a portion of one runway.
The 1945 AAF Airfield Directory (courtesy of Scott Murdock) described Bettis Field
as a 150 acre irregularly-shaped property within which were 2 macadam runways: 2,000' northeast/southwest & 1,535' WNW/ESE.
The field was said to have 2 hangars, the largest being a 125' x 104' brick structure,
and it was described as being owned & operated by private interests.
Bill Wood recalled, “My uncle, August (Gus) Becker,
used the facility through 1945,
when Gus sold Bettis & Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics to the current owners.”
However, other sources have reported that Curtiss-Wright sold Bettis Field to Westinghouse in January of 1949,
and Westinghouse closed the field.
The Bettis Field property was redeveloped as the site of the Bettis Laboratory,
which developed naval nuclear propulsion technology for submarines & aircraft carriers.
According to Erik Wagner, “The last airplane landed at Bettis long after it closed.
In the late 1950s someone landed a single-engine aircraft there.
Ostensibly, the pilot said it was mistaken identity due to the then-prevalent smoke obscuration.
He thought it was Allegheny County, the large former air-carrier field 1 mile to the West.
Of course, it was, by then, the classified atomic power plant operated by Westinghouse
as Admiral Hymen Rickover's pet project for the US Navy nuclear propulsion project.”
An indication of the sensitivity of the Bettis Laboratory may be seen by examining the May 29, 1967 USGS aerial photo,
on which the site of Bettis Field was completely censored,
which has not been seen on any other USGS aerial photos of that era.
The Bettis Laboratory is still open as of 2003,
and is operated for the Department of Energy by Bechtel Bettis Inc.
In the circa 2000 aerial photo,
the remains of 2 paved runways (northeast/southwest & northwest/southeast) were still plainly apparent,
along with 2 former hangars along the west side of the field.
Two large former hangars & the former administration building still remain standing (as of 2003),
as part of the Bettis Laboratory.
If you drive by on Pittsburgh-McKeesport Boulevard & look through the fence at the former hangars,
the wings & propellers in cement-relief images are still visible.
A 2006 aerial photo showed that the remains of the 2 paved runways still existed
along with 2 former hangars & the administration building along the west side of the field.
A circa 2006 aerial view looking north at the former hangars which remain along the west side of the former Bettis Field.
A circa 2006 aerial view looking north at the former Bettis Field Administration Building.
The site of Bettis Field is located north of the intersection of Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard & Bettis Road,
only one mile east of the Allegheny County Airport.
See also:
http://facweb.stvincent.edu/academics/english/faculty/wissolik/AIRPORTEARLYDAYSPART1/index.htm
http://www.15122.com/MTHS/NEWS/April2002newsletter.pdf
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Campbell Airport (1st location), Cuddy Hill, PA
40.35 North / 80.18 West (Southwest of Pittsburgh, PA)
The original location of Campbell Airport,
as depicted on the 1961 Pittsburgh Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe).
This general aviation airport located down in a valley was named after its owner, Charles Campbell.
Nothing was yet depicted at the eventual location of this airport on a September 29, 1957 aerial photo.
Jay Gelm recalled of Campbell Airport, “I knew Mr. Campbell Sr when I soloed out of the valley airport in 1958.
It was in operation before it was charted on any maps.
Things moved very slowly back then as far as updates on any maps or charts.
When I was there it was already operating as an airstrip before 1958.
On or about that time Campbell Sr. was flying a Twin Navion there.
I recall one day he attempted to take off with the nose wheel 'hangar bar' still attached to the nose gear.
He left the airport operation basically to his son Chuck Jr. while he took care of the Campbell Coal Company.
My instructor there was a Pittsburgh pilot named Clark Woodard.
Chuck Campbell Jr. was running the operation down in the valley & sold Champion Aircraft.
I purchased a ¼-share in N7512E, a Champion 7AC.
While I was in the process of a Private & Commercial ticket I would at times fly with Chuck
to Wisconsin to the Champion factory & ferry a new one back for him.
At that time they were also selling the small Mooney M20 & M21, a very cramped 4-place.
The strip in the valley had what I would call the first VASI 3-light landing system.
They built a box with 3 lights angled up, red to low, green OK, and white high.
It worked quite well at night & was there for quite a few years.”
Campbell Airport was not yet depicted on the 1960 Cleveland Sectional Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe).
The earliest depiction of the field which has been located
was on the 1961 Pittsburgh Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe).
It described Campbell Airport as having a single 3,000' "slag" runway.
According to Erik Wagner, "I remember the old runway operating with Chuck Campbell Sr. as owner.
Campbell operated a twin Mooney by the way."
A 1962 view along the runway of Campbell Airport, with a plane overhead (courtesy of Nina Cotter).
Campbell Airport was described in the 1962 AOPA Airport Directory
as having a single 2,500' asphalt Runway 13/31, and the operator was listed as Charles Campbell.
At some point between 1962-67, the original Campbell Airport in the valley
was replaced by a new Campbell Airport along the top of a ridge slightly to the south.
The original runway became the site of Pittsburgh International Dragway, a drag strip.
A May 26, 1967 aerial photo appeared to show the former runway
of the original Campbell Airport after it had been reused as a drag strip.
A 1969 view along the former runway of Campbell Airport,
reused at the time as the Pittsburgh International Dragway (courtesy of Nina Cotter).
The Pittsburgh International Dragway closed in 1976,
and the former Campbell Airport property has presumably been abandoned since that time.
A recent (1980s?) view along the former runway of Campbell Airport,
after the closure of the Pittsburgh International Dragway (courtesy of Nina Cotter).
A 1993 USGS aerial photo of the original Campbell Airport runway.
The airfield layout of Pittsburgh Metro Airport, from a 1994 airport directory,
showing both the original runway (at the top), and the later runway (center).
A circa 2000-2005 USGS aerial photo of the original Campbell Airport site
showed the former runway to remain largely intact.
The site of the original Campbell Airport is located west of the intersection of Route 50 & Route 978.
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Campbell Airport (2nd location) / Pittsburgh Metro Airport (8G4), Cuddy Hill, PA
40.35 North / 80.18 West (Southwest of Pittsburgh, PA)
A May 26, 1967 aerial photo appeared to show the site of the 2nd location of Campbell Airport
shortly after it began operation at its new location (or while it was still under construction).
At some point between 1962-67, the original Campbell Airport in the valley
was replaced by a new airport with a single paved runway along the top of a ridge slightly to the south.
The earliest depiction that has been located of the 2nd location of Campbell Airport was a May 26, 1967 aerial photo.
It appeared to show the site shortly after it began operation at its new location (or while it was still under construction),
with a single paved northwest/southeast runway,
and a few small buildings along either side of the southeast end of the runway.
Kimberlee Campbell reported, “I am the daughter of the owner, Charles Campbell Jr.
Actually, my grandfather was not much involved ever in the running of the airfield, or of the dragstrip;
it was mostly my father, who sold Mooney's, then MU2's, and later Swearingen Merlins, and finally Piper Cheyennes.
I myself flew out of the upper airport, and got my license there as a young woman.”
Jay Gelm recalled, “Not too long after being built, a very high wind or microburst sent almost all the parked aircraft over the hill.”
The earliest aeronautical chart depiction which has been located of the 2nd location of Campbell Airport
was on the 1976 Pittsburgh Local Aeronautical Chart (courtesy of Mike Keefe).
It depicted Campbell Airport as having a single 3,600' paved runway.
Kimberlee Campbell reported, “The airport did continue to function after the death of my father in 1978;
however, the climate for business was not kind in the early 1980s - you may remember the incredible rates on loans back then -
and my mother was unable to continue to run the airport.
By the time of the 1982 AOPA Airport Directory (courtesy of Ed Drury),
Campbell's runway had been lengthened to 5,000',
and the operators were listed as Campbell Air Midwest, Pittsburgh Corporate Aircraft Service Center,
and Piper Corpac Service Center.
According to Erik Wagner, "The new runway was extended to 5,000' because Campbell sold Mooney MU-2's
and later opened Cheyenne Air Center (Corpac) to sell Cheyennes.
I remember the old runway operating with Chuck Campbell Sr. as owner."
According to Chris Kennedy, Campbell Airport was described in the 1986 Flight Guide
as having a single 5,000' "rough" paved Runway 13/31.
By that time, the former runway was no longer depicted on the diagram.
At some point between 1986-93, it was renamed Pittsburgh Metro Airport.
In the 1993 USGS aerial photo, a total of at least 13 aircraft were visible parked on the field,
and 2 hangars sat at the southeast end of the runway.
The lettering "PGH METRO" was painted on the runway in front of the hangars.
The airfield layout of Pittsburgh Metro Airport, from a 1994 airport directory,
showing both the original runway (at the top), and the later runway (center).
The operators were listed as Pegasus Aviation, Pittsburgh Metro Airport, and Tri-State Helicopter.
According to a pilot who once flew out of the field,
Pittsburgh Metro Airport was purchased at an unknown date by developers,
who stopped maintaining the airport (fuel service, etc.)
and began to run large trucks back & forth along the runway (to access the large hangar for storage purposes).
At that point the state provided the option of stopping the trucks or closing the airport.
Pittsburgh Metro Airport was closed in 1994-95.
According to Erik Wagner, "Pittsburgh Metro (Campbell Airport) went into foreclosure
and was purchased by a developer who had little interest in airplanes.
After he could not get permission to do what he wanted,
he was unable to make a deal to reopen the airport."
In the late 1990s a small group of local pilots made a pitch to purchase the airport & reopen it,
as they had secured funding for replacing the runway
and other improvements from state & local government.
However, the pilots were unable to come to financial terms with the owner-developer,
so the deal was terminated.
Given Pittsburgh Metro's relatively close proximity to PIT,
and the continuous appearance of radio towers around the population base,
it doesn't appear as if the airport will ever become a viable GA facility again.
Kimberlee Campbell [daughter of the former airport owner] reported,
“To me, and after all of my father's work to build up that airport, it was very sad to see that it is no longer used.”
An account of the recent status of the former airport was provided by local pilot Jonathan Goodish,
who visited the site in the late 1990s.
The old airport entrance is located just off of Route 50.
The entrance is in a valley, and there is a long, winding asphalt road
which leads to the airport at the top of the hill.
An old illuminated sign remained with some of the lettering for "Pittsburgh Metro" still visible,
but not enough to identify the entrance.
However, an old aircraft-tamper warning sign did remain at the entrance, making the field easy to identify.
About halfway up the entrance road there appeared to be grading
from where a hangar once stood on the hillside.
At the top, there were 2 smaller hangars & one larger hangar.
One of the smaller hangars still had a "King" avionics sign on the side.
The runway ran along a ridgeline at the very top of the hill,
and still existed complete with a rusted windsock skeleton & faded "PGH METRO" lettering.
The runway existed but was cracked & somewhat overgrown.
When Goodish overflew the airport site in 2000,
there appeared to be trailers lined up along the entire length of the runway.
A circa 2000-2005 USGS aerial photo of the Pittsburgh Metro Airport site
showed trucks lining the former runway.
A close-up from the circa 2000-2005 USGS aerial photo of the former hangars,
as well as the Runway “31” markings & “PGH Metro” lettering which remain evident on the former runway.
Myles Lilley reported that in an aerial photo from 2002,
"it seems that the trucks that were parked on the runway at Pittsburgh Metro Airport were gone."
Myles Lilley reported in 2006, “I visited the old Pittsburgh Campbell / Metro Airport last week
and it still has storage trailers on the runway.
The runway markings are visible & even my 5 year-old son recognized the old buildings as an airport.
It would still be a nice airport (if I hit the lottery).
Right now a screen printing business, a landscaping company and the storage company occupy the land.”
A circa 2007 aerial view looking west at the west side of the site of Pittsburg Metro Airport,
including the former hangars, and the Runway “31” markings & “PGH Metro” lettering which remain evident on the former runway.
Pittsburgh Metro Airport is located west of the intersection of Route 50 & Route 978.
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