When it opened in 1930 Executive Airport was known as Sutterville Aerodrome. As the city-owned facility expanded, in 1941 construction was underway to pave and extend the airport's three runways. The U.S. Army Air Corps took over the airport during World War II; after the war control was returned to the city and the facility was renamed Sutterville Auxilary Field.. The Airfield was used by 4th Air Force and the Army Air Forces Western Flying Training Command. Training was first on Bell P-39 Airacobra, as Chico Army Airfield auxiliary field. On April 7, 1945 train switched to heavy bomber with the 404th and 405th Army Air Force. The US many many improvements to the airfield. After the war the Sacramento Army Air Field returned to it owner the City of Sacramento and was renamed the Sacramento Municipal Airport In the late 1940s and early 1950s, more improvements were made to parking and taxiway paving, water and sewer systems, and runway/taxiway lighting. The terminal building was built in 1955 along with some navigational aids and T-hangars.In October of 1967 most airlines moved to the new Sacramento International Airport and the Sacramento Municipal Airport was renamed Sacramento Executive Airport. A United DC-3 started flying nonstop to Los Angeles in 1946, but nonstops from SAC never reached north beyond Medford or east beyond Nevada. Jets appeared in 1964. In the airport's last summer of airline operations, the August 1967Official Airline Guide lists 22 weekday nonstops to San Francisco, 11 to Los Angeles, 7 to Reno, 2 to Medford, 2 to Marysville, and one each to Lake Tahoe, Klamath Falls and Oakland. Pacific Air Lines flights to the north continued to Chico, Eureka/Arcata, Crescent City and Portland. Pacific Air Lines flight 771 flew Reno-Lake Tahoe-Sacramento-San Francisco-San Jose-Fresno-Bakersfield-Burbank-Los Angeles-San Diego. United Airlines flight 224 was a Boeing 727-100 San Francisco-Sacramento-Reno-Denver-Chicago-New York La Guardia. Aircraft included Martin 4-0-4s and Fairchild F-27s, Lockheed L-188 Electras, Boeing 727-100s and Boeing 720Bs ; Western had one B720B nonstop a day to LAX. In October 1967 the airlines moved to the new Sacramento Metropolitan Airport and Sacramento Municipal Airport was renamed Sacramento Executive Airport. The County of Sacramento became the operator of both airports. Executive Airport is self-supporting, receiving no city, county, or tax money. All operating expenses are paid by users.
On September 24, 1972, a former military Canadair Sabre Mk. 5 jet in civilian ownership with US registration N275X was set to perform an air display at the Golden West Sport Aviation Show. Due to pilot error, the airplane failed to become airborne, went off the end of the runway, across a road and crashed into Farrell's Ice Cream Parlour. The explosion killed 22, twelve of those children, and injured 28 more people. The tragedy prompted closure of that runway, stricter regulations at the airport, and the opening of the Sacramento Firefighter's Burn Institute. The Crossroads shopping center that housed the ice cream parlor was closed and rebuilt in 2002 as the Sacramento Public Safety Center, which is the main center for the Sacramento Fire Department and Sacramento Police Department. A memorial was constructed at the crash site and dedicated in March 2003.
Facilities
In addition to an FAA tower, the airport has three paved runways and has tie-downs and hangar rentals. In 2004, aircraft operations averaged 370 per day. Over 20 businesses are located at Executive: air charters; aircraft sales, rentals and repairs; flight training; pilot supplies; computer-based testing; and car rentals. 10 minutes from downtown Sacramento, Executive is close to tourist attractions such as Old Sacramento, the State Capitol, Cal Expo State Fairgrounds, and Golden 1 Center. The airport is near three public golf courses and major shopping areas. Executive has two lighted runways: Runway 2/20 measures 5,503 ft x 150 ft. A Medium Intensity Approach Light System with Runway Alignment Indicator Lights is installed on Runway 2, while REIL and PAPI are on Runway 20 and Runway 12/30. Runway 16/34 was closed since September 2017 and marked permanently closed as of February 13, 2019. The FAA contract control tower operates 06:00–21:00. Fuel is available from trucks or 24-hour self-serve credit card pumps, and plenty of tie-down and transient parking is available, the first six hours being free. Automobile parking in front of the terminal is plentiful, and free for the first 72 hours.
Amenities
Amenities at Sacramento Executive Airport include:
Pilot's Lounge
SACjet terminal with available meeting rooms
Executive Airport terminal with available meeting rooms
Disabled access, accommodations, and services throughout the facilities
Restaurants Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Aviators overlooks the airfield and can hold up to 190 people. They are available for banquet use and other events.
