KIRTLAND FLIGHT CENTER

The earliest recollections of a Military Aero Club in Albuquerque go back to the late 1950s. The base, which was under the control of the Army, had two military T-34s and a Cessna 190. The aircraft were parked near the old tower and the club office was located in an old firehouse. The aircraft were only available to rated military pilots and no training was provided. In 1959, the military club moved to Sandia National Laboratory’s area and merged with the Sandia Flying Club. The Sandia Flying Club had a dirt runway located approximately 4 miles south east of what is now Kirtland’s golf course.'