Scholes International Airport at Galveston
| Continent: North America | Country: United States | Region: Texas |
| Scholes International Airport at Galveston | |
| Location | Galveston, Texas |
| IATA code | GLS |
| ICAO code | KGLS |
| Airport type | Mixed-Use Public |
| Website | http://www.galvestonairport.com/ |
| Overview map | Google Maps |
| Communications | |
| Tower | 120.575 |
| Ground | 118.625 |
| Clearance | 135.35 WHEN GLS ATCT CLSD |
| Approach | 134.45 |
| Departure | 134.45 |
| ATIS | 135.575 |
| Departure | 122.950 |
Scholes International Airport is the former Galveston Municipal Airport that dates back to at least 1934. During World War II, it was redesignated a U.S. Army Air Corps base named "Galveston Army Air Field". Galveston A.A.F. was primarilly used for gunnery training, with targets being towed to the gunnery range at nearby Oyster Bay. As late as 1948, it was an active seaplane base per Sectional Aeronautical chart SA SAC O-5. The earliest reference to GLS being named Scholes Field is in 1943. GLS is now a general aviation airport serving diverse aviation segments. GLS is operated and maintained by the City of Galveston, Texas. Once served by Houston Metro Airlines, GLS's Master Plan considered the potential return of commercial airline service as well as the increasing trend of corporate aircraft and oil industry helicopter activity. In preparation for increased corporate activity, the ultimate plan considers the extension of the primary runway ( 17/35 )from 6001 x 150 ft. to 7,100 feet.
Of the 220+ aircraft based at GLS. 50+ are helicopters belonging to Air Logistics, EVA, PHI, Evergreen, and others.
GLS is a faily popular fueling stop for transient military aircraft due to a MOA in the Gulf of Mexico.
GLS is a Airport with 24 hour Air Traffic Control and an "A" ARFF Index.
GLS ATIS Phone Numbers: 281-464-4190, 281-464-4191 or 281-464-4192 -->
Official Spotting Locations
There are currently NO official spotting locations for GLS.
Other Spotting Locations
Inside the airport grounds
Main Terminal Building
The Main Terminal Building has an observation area on the ground floor and a second floor observation deck. It is best for photographing fixed-wing general aviation and some oil industry helicopters
Parking Lots
There are multiple parking lots running the length of the east side of the airport with a 6 foot chain-link fence with 3 rows of barbed wire on top, a ladder might be in order. Some lots are shared, and some are owned by a specific company. A courtesy visit into the companie's offices can get you premission to photograph from the lot, but in many cases, it can lead to an escort onto the ramp as well.
Lone Star Flight Museum
Each year, the Lone Star Flight Museum holds fly days and air shows. The north side of the ramp is closed off and one can photograph south down the ramp, catching departures and arrivals of the off-shore oil industry helicopters as well as air show participants.
Cessna Drive
The end of Cessna Drive west of Comanche Street is is a prime position for photographing aircraft in flight using runways 17/35. It is also a prime location during the Lone Star Flight Museum's fly days and air shows. It is located between the ARFF Station and the new Control Tower.
Comanche Street
Comanche Street near Terminal Drive is a good location for photographing helicopters that service the oil industry.
Off Airport
Stewart Road
Stewart Road near 83rd street in the morning hours and towards 99th Road in the afternoon hours are excelent for spotting or photography.
Avenue V 1/2
The dead end of Avenue V 1/2 near 99th Street is a perfect spot when 35/17 is active, and not bad for when 31/13 is the active but best to photograph in either location in the afternoon.
Airways Lane
From Stewart Road, drive northbound on 99th street untill it forks. Take the right fork onto Travel Air to the end. Turn right onto Airways Lane and stop at the dead end. It is best to photograph from this location in the afternoon.
Teichman Road
Teichman Road near 91st Street is located across Offats Bayou from GLS and affords a different angle to spot from. Depending on the active, you might have to move east or west down Teichman Road.
Offats Bayou
For those who would like to merge boating and aircraft spotting, Offats Bayou lends itself to excellent access to the north side of GLS. There is a public boat ramp on 61st Street just south of IH 45. GLS is no more than a mile west from the launch.
Locations to Avoid
There are no unmarked Locations to Avoid. Galveston Police Department patrols periodically, as well as the occasional Galveston County Sherrif's Department unit. Both agencies are accustomed to aircraft spotters and treat them well. There is no airport police nor are there Airport Operations cars that patrol.