For everything a pilot needs while visiting North Texas, this is the stop.

In the area once called Peters Colony, Addison, Texas, was settled around 1845. However, the territory wasn’t officially known as Addison until 1902, when it was named after Addison Robertson—the community’s second postmaster who served from 1908 to 1916.

Since that time, the Town has witnessed much growth. Today, it features 118 acres of parks—some of the finest in Texas—and a plethora of restaurants and attractions that accompany. To experience it all, and still get in and out of the Town with ease, Addison conveniently maintains just the place to touch down: Addison Airport (ADS).

In the heart of the North Dallas Business District, this airport was established by a group of flying enthusiasts in 1957 and purchased by the Town of Addison in 1976.

Currently, a joint venture between URS Corp. and SAMI Management, Inc. manages and operates ADS on behalf of the Town of Addison.

It’s an extremely busy GA airport and ranks among the busiest in the United States. But what sets this airfield apart from its competitors is threefold: It provides full-service support and world-class facilities; there are land and airside services for both corporate and private aviation; and it’s well-situated within the North Dallas business and entertainment district.

“Everything you need is right here,” affirms ADS’s Deputy Director Darci Neuzil. “We’re home to 22 hotels and more than 170 restaurants, all within a two-mile loop. The Town itself offers shopping, comedy, theater, music and dance. It’s the entertainment center of the North Dallas area.”

Lucky for ADS, it’s slap dab in the middle of the action. Annual events keep travelers flocking to the airfield. There’s the opportunity to sample the Town’s best dishes during Taste Addison; July’s Kaboom Town fireworks and airshow, rated one of the top shows in the country; and Oktoberfest, featuring an authentic Munich celebration with German food, beer and music.

On an educational level, the airport even affords its own form of entertainment. On site is the Cavanaugh Flight Museum, a 50,000-square-foot aircraft attraction displaying aviation’s history from World War I through Vietnam.

Other on-field amenities include a FAA control tower; 24-hour U.S. Customs; no commercial carriers; 24-hour security; three national full-service FBOs (Atlantic Aviation, Landmark Aviation and Million Air); and more than 60 aviation-related companies.

“Our airport businesses deliver a range of aviation services,” Neuzil says, “from avionics, maintenance, aircraft cleaning and flight instruction to custom aircraft interiors, charter and cargo service, aircraft sales, and aviation insurance.”

The FBOs even provide passenger and crew comforts such as passenger and pilot lounges, caterings, theaters and crew cars. Neuzil adds, “Our FBOs are consistently listed among the nation’s ‘Top 20 FBOs.’”

ADS is the home base of many major corporate flight departments. Neuzil says corporate fleets that call the airport home represent oil, cosmetics, food, manufacturing and other high-tech industries. It’s also the home base for approximately 750 aircraft.

Averaging 366 operations per day, ADS covers an area of 368 acres and boasts one asphalt runway, 15/33, stretching 7,202 feet by 100 feet. Neuzil mentions that 15/33 is about to undergo repairs and resurfacing.

“Our runway resurfacing and repairs, which is funded by a FAA/TXDOT grant of $12.69 million, is one of our biggest projects,” according to Airport Director Joel Jenkinson. “We’re wrapping up the Preliminary Engineering Report and moving into the design phase. The FY10 TXDOT project includes plans to upgrade our AWOS-IV with runway surface condition sensors and an advanced precipitation sensor, in addition to runway lighting, signs, safety area grading and drainage ($2.81 million).”

According to Jenkinson, ADS plans to complete the runway resurfacing project “with minimal disruption to operations, keeping safety as the top priority while working closely with tenants, engineers and contractors.”

Additional improvements planned for FY12 will include an Engineered Material Arresting System (EMAS) at the airport’s south end ($6 million) and the reconstruction of Taxiway Quebec and associated ramps ($4.55 million).

Already, ADS is also making preparations for 2011 Super Bowl XLV, which is set to take place in Arlington, Texas. To make a lasting impression on guests, ADS is coordinating with its FBOs, and Addison’s hotels and Visitor Services, to make sure travelers experience a smooth trip.

Despite decreased operations and fuel flowage, Jenkinson says the airport has continued to perform well during the recent economic recession.

“We’re fortunate that around 75 to 80 percent of our revenues come from our real estate operations, which have remained stable,” he says. “Even better, we have several major redevelopments underway soon to break ground. PlaneSmart! Aviation and Turbine Aircraft Services, Inc. are both in the middle of major renovations while ExecHangar anticipates breaking ground on Phase I of its 48,000-square-foot executive corporate hangar shortly after the new year. We also hope to announce some other major developments in the near future.”

For more information, visit www.addisonairport.net.