It is also known as Sporty's Airport. The fixed-base operator is Eastern Cincinnati Aviation. The Tri-State Warbird Museum is located on the west side of the airport. The 279th Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol is headquartered at the airport as well.[2] The Experimental Aircraft Association, which has a chapter at the airport, operates Young Eagles rides at the airport, where volunteer pilots give kids ages 8-17 free rides in airplanes.[3][4]
History
Dedicated on October 13, 1968, the airport was managed by the husband and wife team of Randolph and Rosalie Burchett from the early 1970s through 1986.[5][6] In 1971, Sporty's Pilot Shop moved from its previous location to the airport.[7] The Clermont General and Technical College opened in 1972 on land one-half mile from the airport.[8][9] Plans for a 10,150 sq ft (943 m2) hangar were announced that same year, and by June, a new taxiway had been constructed.[10][11] Sporty's became the new fixed base operator in 1987.[12]
In 1990, Sporty's built a new facility at the airport.[13] Consideration was given to extending the airport runway in 1994.[14][15] In 1995, the radio station WNWC began broadcasting from the airport.[16] By 2010, a number of "hangar homes" had been constructed at the airport.[17]
In early 2011, the owner of the airport's fixed base operator proposed extending the airport's runway.[18] In mid-2013, discussions were ongoing regarding the possibility of extending the runway.[19] By early 2014, the county was attempting to buy the land necessary for the runway extension.[20] The Clermont County Transportation Improvement District board voted to approve the runway extension on January 15, 2016.[21] In early 2017, the runway extension plan needed approval from the Federal Aviation Administration.[22] However, by February 2018 the runway extension had been cancelled.[23]
A plan to build housing units across a road from the southwest end of the runway met with opposition from the AOPA in 2021.[24] A proposal to transfer land for a second development immediately adjacent to the east of the airport from Batavia Township to the Village of Batavia was denied by the Clermont County Board of Commissioners in November 2023.[25] However, despite significant public complaint, the plan to build just under 800 homes was approved by the city's zoning board in September 2024.[26] A subsequent meeting of the village council a few days later again saw overwhelmingly negative response.[27] The following December the CEO of Sporty's filed a referendum to put the development on the 2025 village ballot.[28]
Facilities and aircraft
Clermont County Airport covers an area of 60 acres (24 ha) at an elevation of 844 feet (257 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway designated 4/22 with a 3,568 x 75 ft (1,088 x 23 m) asphalt surface.[1]
The airport is served by four instrument approaches, including an RNAV (GPS) approach to both runway 4 and 22.[29]
Local television station WCPO operates a doppler weather radar at the airport.[30] An airport viewing area is located at the southwest edge of the airport.[31] The aircraft upholstery shop Air Mod is based at the airport.[32]
For the 12-month period ending August 24, 2021, the airport had 36,865 aircraft operations, an average of 101 per day: 98% general aviation, 2% air taxi and <1% military. This is up from 30,650 in 2007. In 2021, there were 97 aircraft based at the airport:
85 single-engine and 8 multi-engine airplanes, 3 helicopters, and 1 jet.[1][34][35]
Accidents and incidents
On 17 August 1973, two airplanes collided in mid-air while attempting to land at the airport. Both landed safely.[36]
On 20 June 1978, a Mooney Cadet crashed while attempting to land at the airport, injuring the pilot and a passenger.[37]
On 15 August 1998, a Beechcraft Bonanza crashed near the airport after an aborted approach, killing the pilot. The probable cause of the accident was found to be the pilot's loss of control in flight due to spatial disorientation.[38][39][40]
On 5 November 2017, a Piper PA-28 crashed while landing at the airport, injuring the pilot.[55]
On 8 May 2018, a Cessna 172 crashed while taking off from the airport.[56]
On 24 May 2018, a Luscombe 8 was damaged after being hand propped. It was stopped after being rammed by an SUV.[57][58]
On June 30, 2022, a Beechcraft Baron was damaged on landing when a tire exploded, causing the aircraft to veer off the runway. The nose gear and propeller were damaged.[59]
