🇨🇦 Appleton Field

Limited public information is available about Appleton Field (CAP9) in Strathmore, CA.

However, research into airports in Strathmore, CA, reveals information about Eckert Field, which has historical ties and is currently for sale. It's possible "Appleton Field" is a misnomer or an older, less common name for Eckert Field, or a different, even smaller private strip with no readily available public information.

Assuming "Appleton Field (CAP9)" refers to Eckert Field in Strathmore, CA, here are the verifiable facts:

• Type of facility: Eckert Field is a small, active public airport, though it is not a commercial airport. It is privately owned but available for public use.
• Location: It is located in the small Tulare County town of Strathmore, about 65 miles southeast of Fresno, amid farmland.
• Runway information: It has a runway that is approximately 2,000 feet long and 50 feet wide. The runway was repaved about six years ago and is considered to be in good condition. Only smaller planes, such as the Cessna 172, can utilize the airstrip due to its size.
• Known uses:
• It is currently an active airport used by smaller aircraft.
• Some of its 20 hangars are still used to store planes, with six currently leased.
• It has a fuel tank/pump on site, though it is currently empty.
• The airport is situated on 25 acres of land.
• Historical significance:
• Originally known as Trauger Auxiliary Field, it was used by the U.S. military for training during World War II.
• It was part of the "Rankin Aeronautical Academy, Inc.," a flying school at nearby Rankin Field in Tulare, which trained pilots and ground mechanics for the U.S. Army Air Force. Trauger (Eckert Field) was one of Rankin Field's five auxiliary airfields.
• The father of the current co-owners bought the airport in 1988 and ran a flight school there during the 1990s.
• Actor Steve McQueen reportedly visited Eckert Field en route to aviation gatherings in Porterville.

*Sources researched: fresnobee.com, airfields-freeman.com, airportroutes.com, fresnocog.org, en.wikipedia.org*