About HWO
North Perry Airport (HWO) is a public-use general aviation airport that serves aircraft and business owners that support light aircraft. Concessionaires offer fuel, service, air charter, flight instruction, aircraft sales, maintenance, storage, and other services for the flying public. Since its inception in the 1940s, the airport has grown to encompass 154 T-hangars, four fixed-base operators, and an Air Traffic Control Tower. Today, HWO accounts for 2,090 direct and indirect jobs and generates an annual impact (output) of approximately $285 million, the results of a 2022 Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Economic Impact Study show.
HWO History
The U.S. Navy constructed North Perry in 1943 as a satellite training field in connection with flight training activities at Miami Naval Air Station. After the war, it was inactive until October 11, 1957, when Broward County acquired it.
Operations Highlights
In fiscal year (FY) 2023, North Perry was the second busiest FAA General Aviation Contract Tower Airport in the United States in terms of aircraft operations. HWO had 244,737 aircraft operations in FY 2022 versus 290,161 in FY 2019. The airport serves a niche market of flight training, helicopter tours, aerial advertising, and light-aircraft activity. HWO recently completed a $2 million safety enhancement project for Runways 10R-28L and 1L-19R. In FY 2021, there were 195,192 aircraft operations at the airport versus 230,189 in FY 2020.
Airfield Safety Record
For 22 straight years, HWO has achieved “zero discrepancies” in annual airport inspections from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). This inspection typically includes a review of all airfield markings, airfield signs, runway/taxiway lights, safety areas, aircraft approach slopes, wildlife control, and Foreign Object Debris.
FAA Runway Safety Award
North Perry Airport (HWO) received the FAA Southern Region’s 2010 Runway Safety Award. The FAA chose HWO over hundreds of airports in the Southern region for runway safety initiatives completed this past year. In 2009, North Perry Airport experienced an unusually high amount of runway incursions. While the incidents were not the fault of the airport, the staff decided more proactive measures might reduce aircraft incidents. During 2010, professionals from Airport Operations, Maintenance, and Development devised a plan to help eliminate the problem.
The plan included:
•Additional new airfield signs.
•Tighter access controls for visitors.
•Extensive and ongoing training programs for airport users.
•Outreach to student pilots and flight schools.
•Converting the airfield signage and markings to commercial airport standards.
These are the same standards used at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
As a result of the team’s hard work and attention to detail, the efforts paid off. In 2010, there were no runway incursions reported.
Recognitions
2022 Aviation Professional of the Year
The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) named Nina MacPherson, Airport Manager at HWO, as its 2022 Aviation Professional of the Year. The annual FDOT honor recognizes an individual's professional achievements in airport management, aviation safety, and outstanding contributions to Florida's aviation community. MacPherson's aviation administration/management career spans three decades, with the last 20 years spent in her current capacity at HWO, Florida's busiest general aviation airport in 2022. The FDOT Aviation Awards were announced at the Florida Airports Council 53rd Annual Conference in Orlando in late July.
North Perry Named General Aviation Airport of the Year 2008
Every year, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proud to recognize superior achievement by presenting an award for the General Aviation Airport of the Year.
William J. Ashbaker, State Aviation Manager, FDOT, presented the General Aviation Airport of the Year Award 2008 to Nina MacPherson, C.M., Airport Manager for North Perry Airport, at the annual conference of the Florida Airport Council. Eligible nominees for this award must be a public-use, general aviation airport within Florida.
FDOT conducted its annual inspection of the Airport on May 9, 2007. David Roberts, Airport Inspection and Safety Manager, FDOT, was happy to report that the Airport had Zero Discrepancies and No Recommendations. In addition, he complimented the airport's excellent maintenance and recommended utilizing North Perry as a training tool and example for new FDOT inspectors.
That year, North Perry Airport was featured on the cover of the 2008 Florida Airport Directory and Florida Aeronautical Charts issued by the FDOT.
This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the staff at North Perry Airport and all the departments at BCAD who support the North Perry Airport on a daily basis.About HWO
