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Don Boyd | all galleries >> Memories of Old Hialeah, Old Miami and Old South Florida Photo Galleries - largest non-Facebook collection on the internet >> Miami and Florida AVIATION Historical Photos Gallery - Airports, Airlines, Aircraft - All Years - click on image to view > 1973 - Opa-locka Airport with Hialeah in the background
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Fall 1973 Don Boyd

1973 - Opa-locka Airport with Hialeah in the background

Over Opa-locka, Florida


Amelia Earhart Park, formerly part of Naval Air Station Miami, was still undeveloped land in this photo. It took Dade County decades to develop it into a decent park after getting the deed to the property from the U. S. Government in the early 1960's thanks to the efforts of Bill Graham, then a State Senator who developed the planned community of Miami Lakes. There isn't much development at all west of the Palmetto Expressway.

Opa-locka Airport, formerly Naval Air Station Miami and Marine Corps Air Station Miami, and now titled "Opa-locka Executive Airport", was deeded by the federal government to Dade County in the early 60's except for the federal property occupied by the U. S. Coast Guard which operates Caost Guard Air Station Miami there. In the early 70's, Opa-locka Airport held the #1 rank in aircraft operations for any airport in the USA (including major airports like Chicago O'Hare, Atlanta Hartsfield, New York JFK, etc.) for a year or two because of all the flight schools operating there and the huge number of Vietnam Era ex-servicemen getting their pilots licenses under the GI Bill. Operations went steadily downhill over the years as the GI Bill expired and flight schools closed.

The Association of Naval Aviation's Miami Air Show was held at Opa-locka Airport, featuring the Navy's Blue Angels and numerous performing acts plus acres of aircraft on static display, from the late 70's or early 80's until the late 80's or early 90's when the FAA prohibited high speed jet acts because of occupied residences adjacent to the airport. This air show had been held previously at the New Tamiami Airport in Kendall but I believe neighborhood opposition caused it to move. The county tried to replace Miami Air Show at Opa-locka Airport with an air show at Homestead Air Reserve Base but crowds were nowhere near sufficient to make an operating profit and future shows were nixed. The annual Ft. Lauderdale Air & Sea Show started a year or two later on the ocean at Ft. Lauderdale beach and it remains as South Florida's only annual large significant air show. Unfortunately there are no aircraft on static display at the Air & Sea Show like Opa-locka used to have. Ironically, a decision was made in 2006 to base the Air & Sea Show's performing military aircraft at Opa-locka Airport rather than at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to avoid airline flight delays affecting large numbers of the traveling public. It is a once a year treat to see A-10's, F-15's, F-16's, F/A-18's, C-17's, C-130's, etc. back in action at Opa-locka Airport.

A large portion of Opa-locka Executive Airport's property on the west side along Red Road has been leased to developers who will be constructing stores, warehouses and other buildings on the open land in the southwest corner of the airport. The U. S. Postal Service has a large non-public regional mail sorting distribution center there. None of the existing runways will be affected by the commercial development but it will be another loss of open space like we've seen all over South Florida.


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Steve Wilson 21-Jun-2019 17:33
The airport was actually the busiest in the nation in either 1968 or 9. I was a Controller there from 75 - 81 and there was a plaque in the stairwell to the Tower can with the year. We were the 4th busiest in 79 with 579+k landings and takeoffs.
Ridge 27-Jun-2012 18:49
My family moved to Miami Lakes from Miami Shores around 1963-64. We lived on Lake Patricia which was the first development in Miami Lakes. I was 13 and was blessed to live a life on the lake fishing, sailing and riding my Honda 90. I was enrolled at Palm Springs Jr. High and then went to Hialeah High. I remember seeing these small planes directly over my house going low and then circling back around over and over. Very curious I rode my bike over to the Vista Cemetary which was located on Red Road across from the Opa-Locka Airport. I had a clear view and could see the cause of the circling planes. Back then runway 9 center/27 center was very active and was used for "touch and goes" by all the various flight schools while 9 left/27 right was used for standard non training take offs and landings. I became facinated by these small planes. Eventually, I made my way out to the Burnside-Ott flight line. I would observe all the pilots in training preflight their Cessna 150's, 172's and Piper Twin Commanchees. I began to get invites to go along by those who had already received their Private Pilot's Certificates and were going on to the Commercial certificates. I was hooked! I got a job at "Sea Plane Services" owned and operated by Joe Maugerie. He gave single engine and multi engine seaplane rating training using a Piper Super Cub (PA-18) on amphibious floats and a Grumman Widgeon. They would fly over to Biscayne Bay to do their water work. My job was to wash the salt water off the aircraft when they would return from the Bay using fresh water. I would also pump out the floats of the Super Cub and remove the drain plugs from the Widgeon. Of course I received flying instruction rather than money for my efforts and by the time I was 16 I had my private certificate. I left Miami Lakes in 1979 to go to FSU to study meteorology. I now live in the country on an airstrip in North Florida where I own and fly a 1946 BC-12D Taylorcraft. Miami Lakes and the Opa-Locka Airport formed my life. They gave direction and focus to a young boy. The formidable early days of Miami Lakes is one of blue summer skies, sparkling lake waters, white sails and the sound of small aircraft engines overhead. I will never forget Miami Lakes and Opa-Locka Airport.
Karl A. Innes 18-Apr-2011 00:37
My dad enlisted in the Navy in WWII and boarded a train in -10º Boston weather and wound up at NAS-Miami for basic. I remember him telling me that they had to climb up and over the blimp hanger. I remember the hanger as a kid too. My dad never left south Florida. He became an air traffic controller in the Navy and after the war he went to MIA as a tower supervisor for 30 years. Also a licensed pilot/instructor we did a lot of flying in/out of OPF. I also remember the Constitution sitting out there for many years.
Ray25-Apr-2008 01:17
I heard a rumor down in Homestead that there will be a new air show at HAFB this November. Now that the Ft. Lauderdale show is over, the area needs a new show. Hopefully they can get people over the thought of the long drive down south. One good thing, the whole area west of HAFB has really grown up. Lots more people live within a few miles so they could get a better crowd. But, on the other hand, homes hear the airport is what killed the Opa Locka shows.

It would have great if they could have had the public in the stands at the Speedway, but apparently that won't happen. The stands face more or less SW and all that area is undeveloped all the way to Card Sound Road and beyond.

If you haven't seen HAFB lately, some parts are still under Military control as an Air Reserve base. Some parts are run by Miami Dade County. And much of it looks like a ghost town. Buildings that were damaged in Andrew are falling apart and the trees are taking over. Could be a great movie set for an 'after the end of man' kinda of movie.

But let's hope the new air show comes to be and has better crowds than the last time they tried.
Don Boyd09-Jan-2008 13:48
A couple of buddies and I remember that very well - the move of the Constitution from the airport down NW 135th Street to the north side of the street. We have photos of your aircraft being worked on. I'd love to hear more from you about the aircraft and I'm sure plenty of others would too. Thank you. Don
Guest 09-Jan-2008 06:52
on june 15 1975, I took over the constitution aircraft out of the airport, without take offOpalocka airport , that take me 3 years of hard work, to try to save the aircraft to
make a museun , the final history was terrible for me and the airplanes. more information soon.
real story

the last constitution owner. Miami Garden, Fla.
Ray 11-Oct-2007 02:25
My memories of one of the last air shows there.... Eastern Airlines had a 727 do a fly by. Not a big deal. Like we've seen hundreds of times at MIA. But then he came back at something close to cruising speed. Now THAT was something we never get to see. A plane we've all been on going that fast. Also, the Concord was still flying out of MIA and that pilot made a fly by on his way to London. The roar lasted a long time after the plane had disappeared. Another year I had scheduled a party at my house in Miami Lakes during one air show. Got to invite everyone to my back yard to show them the little air show I had planned for them.
miamicrg08-Oct-2007 15:19
I wonder how many drug planes landed there during the late 60's thru the 70's--etc.... Sadly--I assume Opa-locka is a inner city war zone now....
John O'Neil 19-Sep-2007 21:42
I was chief flight instructor and maintenance manager for Safari Flying Club (30 planes, every type!) based on the square ramp area center of the arc in the foreground in 1967/'68 (Busiest airport for operations in the world). I was in a club brand new Bellanca Super Viking out in the holding area north and west of the airport and was advised #32 for the pattern! Told 'em "NINER THREE VICTOR FUEL!", that's all I could get in. "THREE VICTOR YOU FOLLOW NUMBER EIGHT RIGHT DOWNWIND TWO SEVEN RIGHT!" (Just right out of the picture is the Twin Drive - ins on the north side of Palmetto Parkway). Our call downwind either end of the runway ran, "THREE VICTOR TWINS!" and quick off the mike. Had a blast there, AND got paid for it!
Don Boyd19-Sep-2007 20:42
It's a matter of time, or the lack of it, to put descriptions under all of the photos, but I took the time to write the above blurb per your request. Opa-locka was #1 for a year or two for ALL airports in the USA in the early 70's, not only for General Aviation Airports. Don
Guest 19-Sep-2007 14:30
I ran a business at opa-locka airport for 13 years why is there no mention of the Air Show beeing at this airport for all those years, and two, why is there no mention that a one point in history Opa-Locka Airport was the busiest General Aviation Airport in the Nation, base on the take and landings by the Flight Schools.