Flight Simulator Flights at KHQM Bowerman Airport

Bowerman Airport (KHQM) is a small public-use field on Washington's Pacific coast, two miles west of downtown Hoquiam in Grays Harbor County. Owned by the Port of Grays Harbor, it is the only jet-capable airport on the Washington coast and offers a single hard-surface runway with an ILS approach, making it a useful destination or diversion field for VFR and IFR pilots exploring the coastal region.

Overview

Bowerman Airport sits just west of Hoquiam, Washington, and is owned and operated by the Port of Grays Harbor. It is a general aviation field of modest size, notable chiefly as the only jet-capable airport along the Washington coast, and its single long, lit runway with an instrument landing system gives it more capability than its quiet traffic levels might suggest, making it an interesting stop for simulator pilots flying the Pacific Northwest coastline.

Airspace & Location

The airfield lies about two miles west of the central business district of Hoquiam, in Grays Harbor County, Washington, on the state's Pacific coast. Traffic in the surrounding area is worked by Seattle Center.

Runways

Bowerman has one physical runway, 06/24, with a hard surface measuring 4,993 feet in length. Both ends are lit, and runway 24 is equipped with an ILS, giving instrument approach capability into the field.

Radio & Navigation

The field's automated weather observation is broadcast on ASOS 135.775 MHz. Seattle Center provides centre services on 128.3 MHz, with a remote radio outlet on 122.2 MHz. CTAF/UNICOM traffic is worked on 122.7 MHz.

History

The site was selected by Grays Harbor County government in 1941 for an airfield west of Hoquiam, funded under federal civil defense programmes, and was originally named Moon Island Airport. It was converted into an army airfield in 1942 and expanded with two runways during the Second World War. In 1953 the field was renamed in honour of pilot Robert C. Bowerman, who died during the Korean War. The Port of Grays Harbor acquired the airport in 1962 and has operated it since.

The Airfield Today

Bowerman Field remains the only jet-capable airport on Washington's Pacific coast and offers fueling facilities for based and visiting aircraft. The field hosts the Grays Harbor EAA Chapter 367, whose pilots' lounge at the airport is open 24 hours a day for pilots taking a break or doing flight planning. Free tie-downs and hangar rental are available for based aircraft.