Glendale Fokker Field (GWV)

Glendale Fokker Field, identified by the private FAA code WV66 and historically associated with the IATA code GWV, is a historic aviation site located in Glen Dale, West Virginia. The airfield is situated on the banks of the Ohio River and stands as a significant monument to the early golden age of American aviation. It is most famous for its association with Anthony Fokker, the renowned Dutch aircraft designer, who established a major manufacturing plant here in 1928, making Glen Dale a focal point for aviation technology in the early 20th century. The current facility features a modest grass landing strip that is primarily utilized for local sports flying and light general aviation. There is no formal passenger terminal building or scheduled commercial services; instead, the site is characterized by its historical context and its role as a private airstrip. The original Fokker manufacturing building, which once produced the legendary Trimotor F-10A airliner, still stands adjacent to the field and retains visible "Fokker Aircraft" signage, although the structure was repurposed for toy manufacturing following the decline of the Fokker company in the 1930s. Flight operations at Fokker Field are restricted to private use and local recreational pilots who maintain the field's aviation heritage. Historically, the site was a bustling center for aircraft testing and production, but modern commercial aviation for the region is now handled by the larger regional airports in the Ohio Valley. The field remains a point of interest for aviation historians due to its connection to the tragic 1931 crash of a Fokker F-10A, which claimed the life of football legend Knute Rockne and fundamentally changed the course of American commercial aviation safety regulations. Today, the quiet grass strip serves as a peaceful reminder of West Virginia's critical contribution to early aerospace history.