+27E_20 Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 I logged a mark as destroyed today- GC2535. There was nothing there, dont get me wrong- I think I'd notice a 60 foot tower with the location adjusted. I'd like to see some examples of airway beacons in good condition, though. Just curious- what was the purpose of these and are they a thing of the past, or are they still used? Quote Link to comment
+t8r Posted August 20, 2007 Share Posted August 20, 2007 OZ1010, my aircraft beacon find. There are links to the history of these. I'm not organised enough to come up with them but someone will. Meanwhile my log will give you a clue. It seems that these were mostly installed around the 1930s. Most had stationary beacons facing the directions of travel and a rotating beacon with a controlled rotation rate which helped the aviator with identification. Around 1930 most seem to have been equipped with radio transmitters too. Oh good, here is a link to a thread with links to good info. Quote Link to comment
+NightPilot Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 They're a thing of the long ago past. They haven't been used since before WWII. The use of radio navigation, and instrument flying, quickly made them obsolete. Quote Link to comment
+frex3wv Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 this type was probably one of my favs, and I hope to one day find another. A few days ago I went to find the other one in my county - it was long gone - 30 years ago. Keep looking for em - I hope you find one! And enjoy the history behind them. And while on the subject - what agency and dept. would have the records of these towers no (FAA, Dept of Commerce, etc)? I am looking for as much detail about the one I found as possible. Quote Link to comment
+Klemmer Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Here's some info about Airway Beacons in the Benchmark Hunting Wiki. There is a lot of history on them in this "How it began" article. Neat trhings to find. Wish there were more left around here (SoCal), Also, you can search for ones nearby on the Geocaching site by designation. use "Airway Beacon" (without the quotes), and try some variations of it also. Quote Link to comment
+shorbird Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Every airway beacon I've ever searched for in this area is long gone. Quote Link to comment
AZcachemeister Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 At DV2137 there was at least something to see. I don't think I would call it 'good' condition, though! Quote Link to comment
+BilboB Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Here's a good one near my home in Barre, Vermont. PG1665 is still used at the local state airport. Quote Link to comment
+JoGPS Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 This one is still in use today OUTLAW AIRPORT BEACON 1953 // GC2478 Joe Quote Link to comment
mloser Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Here is something I found after a Google search. There is even an air beacon airmail stamp from 1929. Quote Link to comment
+Kewaneh & Shark Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 GU3358 is the only one I've found. It is located at the Madera airport in Madera, California, and is still in relatively good condition. GU1086 is set in the wall of the control building for the tower. Interestingly, the 1958 description for GU1086 states that it is set on '...AN ABANDONED CONTROL TOWER BUILDING...' (the white building at the lower right of the photo). I would imagine that if the building was no longer in use in 1958, the tower was not being used either. Quote Link to comment
+Harry Dolphin Posted August 21, 2007 Share Posted August 21, 2007 Naw. He's looking for Airway Beacons, not Airport Beacons! Here's the airport beacon I found. KU3505 Quote Link to comment
+Kewaneh & Shark Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 Naw. He's looking for Airway Beacons, not Airport Beacons! ... Doh!!!! That would explain the absence of a big concrete arrow on the ground. - Kewaneh Quote Link to comment
+TheBeanTeam Posted August 22, 2007 Share Posted August 22, 2007 (edited) There is one near me at the Oregon Aviation Historical Society in Creswell Oregon. It was removed from nearby Creswell Butte and stored for years. Then it was restored and erected in 2004-05 at the museum headquarters near the airport. The project was completed when they added a concrete base and arrow in October 2005. They are pretty impressive. I've only seen one other beacon tower from a distance and haven't had a chance to actually go to one in the wild so to speak. The one I did look for has long been gone. I wonder if the history museum would like a copy of the NGS data sheet for this tower and if they know its significance other than as a airway beacon. It is still in the database and has not been declared destroyed as of yet....I May need to visit them again soon. Edited August 22, 2007 by TheBeanTeam Quote Link to comment
+PFF Posted August 31, 2007 Share Posted August 31, 2007 This beacon structure (KT1803) just showed up in the Gallery: Quote Link to comment
+TheBeanTeam Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 (edited) I tried and tried to get up to this beacon in Roseburg Oregon but every road there was plastered with No trespassing signs. I had to settle for base of the hill photos. I appears to be completely intact. SEATTLE SAN FRANCISCO BCN 40 B Edited February 21, 2008 by TheBeanTeam Quote Link to comment
+89SC Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 I didn't know they were so rare. I got one on a mountaintop in WV along with a triangulation station, an antenna and a firetower. HW3565 The description says it flashes the letter K. I was wondering about that. Quote Link to comment
+GEO*Trailblazer 1 Posted February 21, 2008 Share Posted February 21, 2008 (edited) Now gone. ROGERS AIRWAY BEACON COLUMBUS AIRWAY BEACON The Arrow is still there on this one. COLAIR TRI STATION IN ARROW I would have to look up some of the others but there still out there. SILVERAIR RESERVEAIR CORVAIR .............. Just joking on the last one. Edited February 21, 2008 by GEO*Trailblazer 1 Quote Link to comment
+skeezicks Posted February 23, 2008 Share Posted February 23, 2008 Here is a picture of one located at the top of "Spokane Butte" It is about 15 miles east of Helena,Montana This benchmark is located on the same mountain about 100 feet or so from the tower.This is the view from where they are both located Quote Link to comment
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