Salem Municipal Airport

T he Salem Municipal Airport, also known as McNary Field, is located in Oregon’s capital city, in the heart of the Willamette Valley. Located two miles southeast of downtown Salem, it is almost a hundred years old; development began in 1928, and in August of 1929, planes began flying in and out. “This was essentially one of the first ‘learn to fly’ locations in the local area,” explains John Paskell, Air- port Manager. “Back in the early days of aviation, pilots needed waypoints, and certainly, this was one of them. But it was also the location for the Eyerly School of Aeronautics. They provided opportunities for the pub- lic to gain practical training in what was then the U.S. Department of Commerce’s aeroplane mechanic, engine mechanic or licensed pilot certification.” In 1942, the U.S. ArmyAir Force took control of the airfield and used it as a training facility for pilots.This continued through 1948, at which time the War Assets Department transferred con- trol of the field back to the city of Salem. GETTING FROM A TO B SalemMunicipalAirport AT A GLANCE SALEMMUNICIPAL AIRPORT WHAT: A public, general aviation airport WHERE: Marion County, Oregon WEBSITE: www.flysalem.com