14 ELP-FTW Orla / Screwbean Draw DOCILF

GPS: 31.814212, -104.029324

Location / Airway

Location / Name

TEXAS:  Reeves County

14 ELP-FTW Orla / Screwbean Draw DOCILF, Department of Commerce Intermediate Landing Field, Site No. 14 on the El Paso-Fort Worth airway
AKA El Paso Fort Worth Awy Bcn 14

GPS: 31.814212, -104.029324

Contract Air Mail

CAM #33 Los Angeles-Atlanta
El Paso-Fort Worth Airway
El Paso-Stanton Section

Operator

Robertson Aircraft Corporation and Southwest Air Fast Express (Inc.)
Contract awarded October 15, 1930

Subcontract for mail service on C.A.M. Route No. 33 made October 1, 1931
Between Robertson Aircraft Corporation and Southwest Air Fast Express (Inc.) parties of the first part
Southern Air Fast Express parties of the second part, subcontractor

Drone Photos

Observations and Notes

The Orla / Screw Bean Draw East Arrow is located approximately 7 miles west of Orla, Texas just off of Hwy 652.  There is a narrow dirt road leading from the highway to the arrow itself.  No four-wheel drive is necessary to access the arrow.

The base where the generator shed once stood is in poor condition.  All that remains for this section is the outside foundation of the pad, and just a portion of the interior support pad.  The shaft that connects the generator pad to the beacon pad is missing.  The beacon pad and the arrow however are still in good condition. 

The total length of the arrow is 55 feet.

The pilot would approach the tail of the arrow on a compass heading of 112° (E-SE), and then exit the arrow on a compass heading of 112° (E-SE).

Contributors Photos

Links

Airway Bulletin  No. 2, page  147, September 1, 1931

Orla, Texas: Department of Commerce intermediate field, site 14, El Paso-Fort Worth Airway. One hundred and forty miles E. of El Paso. Altitude, 4,000 feet. T shape, 100 acres, dirt, level, natural drainage; two landing strips, 3,000 by 550 feet N./S., 3,960 by 550 feet E./W. Directional arrow marked "14 ELP-FTW." Pole line to S., fence to E., stony ridge to E. and W., hill to W. Beacon, boundary, and approach lights. Beacon, 36-inch rotating, showing alternate green and white flashes. No serving facilities.

Air Commerce Bulletin Vol. 03 No. 10, page 260, November 16, 1931

Orla, Tex. (El P.-Ft. W. Site No. 14).—Airmen landing at the intermediate field near Orla should use extreme caution due to reconditioning work now in progress.

Air Commerce Bulletin Vol. 03 No. 12, page 312, December 15, 1931

Orla, Tex. (El P.-Ft. W. Site No. 14).—The conditioning of the intermediate landing field, near Orla, 140 miles east of El Paso, has been completed and this field is now safe for landings.

Airway Bulletin No. 158, September 1, 1932

Orla.—Department of Commerce intermediate field, site 14, El Paso-Fort Worth Airway. Thirteen and one-half miles W. of Orla, one hundred and forty miles E. of El Paso. Altitude, 4,000 feet. T shape, 110 acres, dirt, level, natural drainage; two landing strips, 3,000 by 550 feet N./S., 3,460 by 550 feet E./W. Directional arrow marked "14 ELP-FTW." Pole line to S., fence to E., stony ridge to E. and W., hill to W. Beacon, boundary, and approach lights. Beacon, 36-inch rotating, showing alternate green and white flashes. No servicing facilities.

National Geodetic Survey Data Sheet PID CD0910

Designation -  El Paso Fort Worth Awy Bcn 14
PID  -  CD0910
State/County-  Tx/Reeves
Country     -  Us
USGS Quad   -  Screw Bean Draw East (1973)

Station Description
Described by Coast and Geodetic Survey 1944 (EHB)
ELP-FW-14 is about 8.0 miles by road west of Orla near the Paso-Tex Pumping Station.  A 50 foot steel tower painted orange and white, 0.1 mile northwest of the pumping station, 0.1 mile west of an elevated enclosed water tank, 0.1 mile north of the pipe line road and 0.05 mile northwest of a 20 foot silver tank.

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