Garner Field Airport: From World War II Training Base to Modern Aviation Center

By Carmelo Turdo

Garner Field Airport in Uvalde, Texas offers a unique combination of historic atmosphere and advanced technology businesses serving the local community and aviation industry customers from around the country. The airport is home to the Uvalde Flight Center FBO, Skyway MRO Services, Lancair, Hangar 6 Air Cafe, the Garner Field Aviation Museum and Huff Air Warbird Collection. The meteorological conditions offer the steady thermals needed for glider operations, and Garner Field Airport has previously hosted two World Gliding Championships (with the third coming in 2024). The 5256ft. x 100ft. runway can accommodate most general aviation and business aircraft types.

Garner Field was named for John Nance Garner, a Uvalde, TX lawyer and judge who served as Congressman, Speaker of the House of Representatives and Vice President under Franklin Roosevelt for the 1932 and 1936 terms. The airport opened in January of 1942 and served as a U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) Contract Pilot School until June of 1945. The facility then became a municipal airport and the training buildings were purchased for use by Southwest Texas Junior College. Post-war operations at the airport included flight training for Trans-Texas Airlines, conversion of military aircraft to civilian use, general aviation flight training, air charters and light manufacturing. 

The Aero Experience recently visited Garner Field Airport to cover a future story for our sponsor, Big River Aviation. We were kindly given a brief tour of the Garner Field Aviation Museum and Huff Air collection, located in adjacent hangars. The museum is housed in the remaining World War II-era hangar, and it features a Fairchild PT-19 representing the aircraft used to train USAAF pilots along with more recognizable modern aircraft types. Included here are Burt Rutan's first commercial design, the Variviggen, and a rather imposing LET Zlin Z-37 used for glider towing.

 

The Huff Air hangar contained an eclectic collection of flying aircraft, including the Lancair racer Breathless, two Pitts Specials, a Sport Trainer, SNJ-4 Texan, Arcus M motor glider, a Mooney Mite and Classic Aircraft Waco YMF.