
The City of Fort Worth
The Spinks Airport, located just off the beaten path at 450 Alsbury Court in Burleson, is one of those places that holds a unique history that many aren’t aware of. Almost a full mile east of 35W, behind two bustling roads that make up this southern extension of Cowtown, rests what is considered a hub for aviation enthusiasts from far and wide.
Officially opened 36 years ago, the Spinks Airport has established itself as one of North Texas’ premiere aviation outfits. Consisting of nearly 40 facilities, this airport is host to a Federal Aviation Admin control tower, two runways, multiple maintenance facilities, three flight schools and much more.
Per FAA recommendations, all airports need to update their long-term planning documents every ten years, a suggestion Spinks hasn’t done since 2004. To remedy this, Spinks officials will be presenting the Fort Worth City Council with a proposed master plan on August 13. This presentation will help guide leaders in allocating Aviation Department resources for future airport development. This will also provide officials with an outline of the airport’s future plans and help establish guidelines for “growth and rationale for projects eligible for federal and state funding,” according to a city release.
Once reviewed by the City, this proposed master plan will go to the FAA and TxDOT-Aviation for approval.
Originally called Oak Grove Airport, this plot of land was listed on the TX Airport Directory as far back as 1963.
The brainchild of aviation pioneer Maurice Hunter “Pappy” Spinks, a renowned aerobatic competitor and aviation manufacturer, Oak Grove Airport started out with a single 2,000' turf Runway 17/35. Described as a "rough edged old millionaire,” Spinks made a fortune during the Vietnam War as a vendor for nearby Bell Helicopter, by manufacturing the skids for their Huey helicopters.
Spinks was so devoted to this project and the airport that he actually lived in a house on the airport’s property. He also built a hanger to store his antique airplane collection in.
When Oak Grove was first built, it consisted of little more than two hangers, an office west of the runway, and several large buildings along the north side labeled "Commercial Buildings (ALSCO Inc.)".
According to airfields-freeman.com, these were presumably the manufacturing facilities which produced the Huey helicopter skids.
By 1965, the runway was paved, and in 1966 a dedicated flight school building was built. Spinks’ affiliation with Bell Helicopter brought in additional business for the rotorcraft flight school and charter operation run by Jim Hill.
Oak Grove also became a mecca of sorts for many of Bell’s customers, foreign pilots from around the globe that would travel to Burleson to attain FAA certificates and additional ratings based on foreign equivalency.
By the 1970s, the TX Airport Directory depicted Oak Grove as having a 3,050' asphalt Runway 17/35. By the late 70s two other small airports within five miles of each other would seal the fate of Oak Grove, and by 1989, Oak Grove Airport was no more. In its wake was a new iteration of what Spinks envisioned, the Spinks Airport, named in his honor. After a ceremony was held closing Oak Grove in 1989, Spinks Airport began, adjacent to the west of where Oak Grove rests.
Some of the old buildings on the old Oak Grove side of the property were converted into businesses, however, many of the original structures have decayed over time.
Today, Spinks Airport has a 7,400 square-foot building that boasts the airport manager's offices and the fixed-base operator (Harrison Aviation). Spinks also has two runways with asphalt surfaces, an FAA sir traffic control tower, and a fully lit runway and taxiway.
Spinks Airport also offers car and aircraft rentals, several fueling locales, maintenance facilities, several flight schools, and helicopter services.
In 2022, the city received a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to revise the Spinks Airport master plan. According to the city’s website, KSA Engineers Inc. was selected as the project consultant.
To keep things as transparent as possible, a Planning Advisory Committee was established, which included key stakeholders in this project like airport tenants, pilots, businesses, representatives from TxDOT’s Aviation Division, and several City departments.
After the City’s Aviation Advisory Board provided feedback recommendations and a final endorsement, five public meetings were held for anyone in the immediate area to state their concerns.
If this master plan is approved by the city, it will then be reviewed by the FAA and TxDOT-Aviation.