Site No. 13 Department of Commerce intermediate field, on the Miami-Atlanta Airway, commonly called Vero Beach Airport
AKA 13 M-A Vero Beach DOCILF, Silvertown Airport, Vero Beach Municipal Airport
(VRB/KVRB)
At Vero Beach, where the Tropics end, the first intermediate landing field was established. This field is a tract of approximately 100 acres, a mile and a half from the plaza, which was leased by the city. When the route was surveyed this tract was covered with a moderately heavy growth of pine and palmetto. The field was cleared and graded by the city, and the surrounding timber has been removed to such an extent that no obstruction lights are expected to be found necessary about the field.
Airway Bulletin
1122
October 25, 1930
VERO BEACH, FLA.
Name: Site 13, Miami-Atlanta Airway (M-A).
Class: Intermediate. Rating. Owner, city; operator, Department of Commerce.
Position: Lat. 27° 38' 36”, long. 80° 23' 42’’; alt. above sea level, 20’; mag. var., 1° 09' 36” E., 1930; annual change, 0. Distance and direction from city, adjoins city on N.
Description: Size, see sketch; acres, 98; shape, irregular. Surface, sod; gradient, level; drainage, natural. Landing strips, 1, NW./SE., 2,900’; entire field available. Marking thereof, none.
Obstructions: Beacon tower in SW. corner. Marking (day), none. Lighting, none.
Marking and identification: Standard 100’ white circle, in center of field. Name on hangar or in field, none. Other marking, 13 M-A on shed roof; boundary markers. Wind direction indicator, illuminated cone on beacon tower.
Lighting: beacon, 24” rotating, 6 r. p. m., 2,000,000 c. p., with course lights, on tower in SW. corner. Boundary lights, white, surround field. Approach lights, 4 green at ends of landing strip. Flood lights for landing, none. Other lighting, none.
Accommodations: Personnel for servicing, none. Landing fee, none; storage, none. Hangars, none. Repair facilities, none; spares, none. Specification fuel and oil, none. Guard, none; fire apparatus, none. Quarters. in city; meals, in city. transportation to city, none. First aid, none. Mooring mast, none.
Communication and signal equipment: Telephone, none; telegraph, none. Radio, none.
Air Commerce Bulletin Vol. 03 No. 05
121
September 1, 1931
Vero Beach. Fla. (M-A Site No. 13).—Airway Bulletin No. 1122, descriptive of the intermediate landing field adjoining Vero Beach on the north, should show a power line running from the south to the revolving beacon, then turning at an angle of 90° and paralleling the highway to the west.
Airway Bulletin
2
34
September 1, 1931
Vero Beach, Florida page 34.—Department of Commerce Intermediate field, site 13, Miami-Atlanta Airway. Adjoins city on N. Altitude, 20 feet. Triangular, 98 acres, 2,210 feet N./S., 2.900 feet NW./SE., and 2,305 feet B./W., sod, level, natural drainage; entire field available. Directional arrow marked "13 M-A." Beacon tower to SW. Beacon, boundary and approach lights. Beacon, 24-inch rotating with green course lights flashing characteristic "3" (. . .—). No servicing facilities.
Airway Bulletin
2
37
July 1, 1932
Vero Beach. — Vero Beach Airport, municipal, rating . Adjoins city on N.Altitude, 20 feet. Triangular, 83 acres, 2.210 feet N./S., 2,900 feet NW./SE., and 2,305 feet E./W., sod, level, natural drainage ; entire field available. Power shed marked " 13 M-A." Beacon tower to SW. Beacon, boundary, and approach lights. Beacon, 24-Inch rotating, with green course lights flashing characteristic "3" (..._). Aviation fuel, day only.
Air Commerce Bulletin v. 4 No. 1
52
July 1, 1932
Vero Beach, Fla. (M-A. Site No. 13).-The site adjoining Vero Beach on the north, formerly operated by the Department of Commerce as an intermediate landing field, is now maintained for the use of aircraft by the city of Vero Beach. Fuel available. This field is described on page 34 of Airway Bulletin No. 2.
Air Commerce Bulletin v. 4 No. 21
540
May 1, 1933
Vero Beach, Fla.—Flood lights for landing are available at Vero Beach Airport. Limited servicing day and night. This airport, adjoining the city on the north, is described on page 37 of Airway Bulletin No. 2.
Airway Bulletin
2
40
July 1, 1933
Vero Beach.-Vero Beach Airport, municipal rating, D-2-D. Adjoins city On N. Altitude, 20 feet. Triangular, 2,210 feet N./S., 2,900 feet NW, SE, and 2,305 feet E./W., sod, level, natural drainage; entire field available. Power shed marked “13 M-A.”. Beacon tower to S.W. Beacon, boundary, approach and landing-area flood lights, Beacon, 24-inch rotating, with green course lights flashing characteristic “3.” (. ... —). . . Aviation fuel, day and night.
Airway Bulletin
2
43
September 1, 1934
Vero Beach. — Vero Beach Airport, municipal, rating D-2-D. Adjoins city on N. Altitude, 20 feet. Triangular, level, natural drainage; four landing strips, 2,210 feet N./S., 2,900 feet NW./SE., 2,305 feet E./W., 2,200 feet NE./SW.; entire field available. Power shed marked " 13 M-A." Beacon tower to SW. Beacon, boundary, approach and landing-area flood lights. Beacon, 24-inch rotating, with green course lights flashing characteristic " 3 " (..._). Hangar and aviation fuel, day and night.
Airway Bulletin
2
47
January 1, 1937
Vero Beach. — Vero Beach Airport, municipal. Adjoins city on N. Lat. 27°39' ; long. 80°24'. Alt 20 feet. Triangular, level, natural drainage; four landing strips, 2,210 feet N./S., 2,900 feet NW./SE., 2,305 feet E./W., 2,200 feet NE./SW. ; entire field available. Power shed marked "13 M-A." Beacon tower to SW. Beacon, boundary, approach, and landing area floodlights. Beacon, 24- inch rotating, with green course lights flashing characteristic "3" (. . . ).
Airway Bulletin
2
48
January 1, 1938
Vero Beach. — Vero Beach Airport, municipal. Adjoins city on N. Lat 27°39'; long. 80°24'. Alt. 20 feet. Triangular, level, natural drainage; four landing strips, 2,560 feet N./S., 2,900 feet NW./SE., 2,540 feet E./W., 2,360 feet NE./SW.; entire field available. Power shed marked "13 M-A." Beacon tower to SW. Beacon, boundary, approach, and landing area floodlights. Beacon, 24-inch rotating, with green course lights flashing characteristic "3" (. . . _). Hangar and aviation fuel, day and night. Teletypewriter.
Air Commerce Bulletin Vol. 10 No. 3,
93
September 15, 1938
Vero Beach, Fla.—Conditional approval was given a superseding project calling for $9,161 Federal funds for additional development of airport by field leveling and additional surfacing of extensions to the N/S and the E/W runways, and construction of a NW/SE runway with extension of the NE/SW runway by leveling, filling, and marling, and relocation of border lights and drainage. This project was approved on condition that plans supporting the units of work under this application be revised to conform to general master plan of this development.
History - 1945 Monumented CGS
History - 1970 Good NGS
History - 1978 Good NGS
History - 1984 Good USPSQD
History - 19880315 Good NGS
History - 19890301 Good USPSQD
History - 19930120 Good USPSQD
History - 19940712 Mark Not Found USPSQD
History - 20110204 Mark Not Found FL-061
Station Description
Described by Coast and Geodetic Survey 1945
At Vero Beach, set at the Vero Beach Naval Air Station, set in the center of the 15 feet square, concrete base supporting the airway beacon at the Vero Beach Naval Air Station, bronze disk set in concrete base.
Station Recovery (1970)
Recovery Note by National Geodetic Survey 1970
Recovered in good condition.
Station Recovery (1978)
Recovery Note by National Geodetic Survey 1978
Recovered in good condition.
Station Recovery (1984)
Recovery Note by US Power Squadron 1984
Recovered in good condition.
Station Recovery (1988)
Recovery Note by National Geodetic Survey 1988
The station is located at The Vero Beach Municipal Airport on the eastern section of the airport the station is in the center of a 15 x 15 square concrete base for an old airport beacon the station is 16.7 ft (5.1 m) south of an east-west fence line on the south side of an east-west road leading to the airport and the control tower the station is a standard USCGS Triangulation Disk stamped VB-1 1945.
Station Recovery (1989)
Recovery Note by US Power Squadron 1989 (Ag)
Recovered in good condition.
Station Recovery (1993)
Recovery Note by US Power Squadron 1993 (Ag)
Recovered in good condition.
Station Recovery (1994)
Recovery Note by US Power Squadron 1994
Mark not found.
Station Recovery (2011)
Recovery Note By Indian River County Florida 2011 (Js)
Mark Not Found.
History - 1960 First Observed CGS
History - 1964 Good CGS
History - 1989 Mark Not Found USPSQD
History - 19930615 Good NGS
Station Description
Described by Coast and Geodetic Survey 1960 (GWM)
The station is the center of the revolving green and white light atop a 50-foot steel tower located on the Vero Beach Municipal Airport and in the northwest part of Vero Beach. The tower is a four-legged steel structure painted alternately in sections of international orange and white.
Station Recovery (1964)
Recovery Note by Coast and Geodetic Survey 1964 (ETO)
Station was recovered in good condition. The 1960 description is complete and adequate.
Station Recovery (1989)
Recovery Note by US Power Squadron 1989 (Ag)
Mark not found.
Station Recovery (1993)
Recovery Note by National Geodetic Survey 1993
The station is located at the Vero Beach Municipal Airport on the east side of the airport the station is the center of the shaft supporting the small twin lens bacon which is mounted atop a 50 ft (15.2 m) high concrete pole.
(Special to Miami Daily News)
VERO BEACH, Nov. 20.
A detailed survey of the Vero Beach airport site was made last week by C. R. Stanton, assistant chief of the Airways Division of Department of Lighthouses for the Federal Government, with Egerton E. Carter assisting. The site for the beacon and the course of the border lights were designated.
The steel for the tower to carry the beacon has arrived and the work of erection will begin this week.
The beacon will be located at the southwest corner of the field near the intersection of the main canal and Emerson Ave. The tower will be 75 feet in height and will sustain a 24-inch revolving beacon of 8,000 candle power.
There will be 30 border lights surrounding the landing at intervals of 300 feet. Owing to the clear approach to the field from all directions no obstruction lights will be required. The Vero Beach airport is regarded as one of the most important on the airway route from Miami to the other stations throughout the state and on the routes to the north and west. The field is within the city limits, making it easily accessible.
B. L. Holman, proprietor of the Vero Beach Cadillac Co., has received a check for $50 from the distributors of Pennzoil Motor Oils, for the purchase of a Vero Beach airport warrant. This company is interested in the development of the airport here.
Bids for clearing the airport site were opened. referred to the city engineer for tabulation.
City Engineer Harry Damerow presented a contract to be executed with the U. S. Department of Commerce for electric power for lighting the border lights and beacons on the field of the airport. The contract was ordered executed.
Sale of only $400 worth of time warrants will complete the airport fund amounting to $5,000 appropriated by the city council.
The contractors have about completed the work of grubbing the field and contract has been let for removing the stumps and small trees.
More than 1,000 special air mail return envelopes have been received by Secretary E. G. Thatcher of the chamber of commerce from airports all over the country. These envelopes are to be mailed out to the senders on the day the airport is dedicated.
Reader notices of the progress being made in the development of the local airport are appearing in the current issues of the air magazines and aircraft publications.
Dale "Red" Jackson and Other Noted Pilots Will Participate in Program Dedicating Airport.
VERO BEACH, March 1
Dale "Red” Jackson, holder of the world-endurance flight record and world record for consecutive barrel rolls, will be one of the many famous pilot to take part in the two-day air meet at Vero Beach, March 3 and 4. Other pilot, of renown who will enter the event, are Freddie Lund, outside loop expert, "Swanee" Taylor, noted stunt pilot, Margaret Thompson, famous. aviatrix, the entire Curtis-Wright Hunt flying team. The Goodyear airship, Defender, will also be here. Mr. James D. Tew, president of the Goodrich Rubber Company, who is winter resident of Vero Beach, has promised to have "Mis. Silvertown," the fastest cabin plane in the world, come here for the meet. This ship has visited only three other cities in the state, Miami, Jacksonville and Tampa.
A prize fund of $1,000 is being offered in the different events, which include bomb dropping, OX-5 race, 510 cubic inch or less, free-for-all, dead stick landing, acrobatics, chute drop to mark, 700 cubic inch open cockpit, etc. The meet is in charge of Lewis Sevier, of Miami, who is chairman of the contest committee, and has N. A. A. sanction.
The dedication of the Vero Beach airport will be held on the opening day, March 3, with a brief ceremony prior to the running of the contests. On the evening of March 4 an aviation ball and banquet will be held under the auspices of the Vero Beach Exchange Club, to which all licensed pilots and mechanics participating in the meet are invited.
The airport at Vero Beach is located right in the heart of the city and is easily accessible for those who wish to witness the event.
CROWDS ATTEND AIRPORT FETE AT VERO BEACH Crack Fliers of Nation Perform at Dedication Event
(Special to Miami Daily News)
VERO BEACH, March 5.
The second day of the dedication celebration of the Vero Beach-Silvertown airport developed into the greatest public event ever held in this city. A crowd of 4,000 filled the spectators’ area around the field.
Speaking at the banquet tendered the visiting aviators at Royal Park inn last night, James Tew, president of the B. F. Goodrich Rubber Co. of Akron, Ohio, said there were present at the meet here a greater number of aviators holding national records than attended the big meet at Cleveland last spring.
Gar Wood, international motorboat record holder, visited the field in his amphibian.
Among the 35 aircraft in attendance were Miss Silvertown of the Goodrich Corp., the mystery ship of the Curtis Aircraft Corp. with a speed record of 240 miles an hour, two Ford tri-motor planes, the Curtis-Wright exhibition team with seven aircraft, A. P. Kerr with the Goodyear blimp Defender, and a super mail wing, a sister ship to the Spirit of St. Louis.
Prizes for the events were won by Dale (Red) Jackson, Terry Lloyd, Jack Wilson. Frank Snyder. Robert Tooney, A. B. McMullen, R. B. Smith and others.
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