Nogales, AZ was a well-used destination by some Tucson pilots. Most of the time the Register was in effect, from 1925-1936, Prohibition was the law of the land. Nogales was a short distance from the U.S.-Mexico border where thirsty pilots could land, cross into Mexico and enjoy legally their favorite refreshing beverages. We trust the majority of them stayed in Nogales overnight and flew sober the next day.

The Nogales airport was an international airport of entry according to the 1937 Department of Commerce handbook cited in the left sidebar. Below is the text from that book which describes the Nogales airport for pilots. Note that it was a gravel surface.

Nogales Airport Description, 1938

Image, below, shows the airport in 1947. The source for this image is the San Diego Aerospace Museum Archives; used with permission.

Nogales Airport, 1947

The Nogales airport remains in the same location and about the same geometry as it was when Register pilots landed there. Below, an aerial photo taken over the nose of my airplane on approach from the northeast to the airport in September, 2002. The U.S. Mexico border is a couple of miles toward the left . For a contemporary aerial view of the airport, set your Google Earth coordinates to 31° 25' 04.15"N by 110° 50' 50.84".

Nogales Airport, September, 2002

Below, turning from the base to final approach to runway 21, Nogales. Route 82 winds into the distance. The runway was gravel during the time of the Register.

Final Approach, Nogales, Runway 21, September, 2002

On the ground, the Nogales Terminal building on a sunny day, September, 2002.

Nogales Terminal building, September, 2002

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UPLOADED: 02/20/09 REVISED: