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Willard Airport (CMI) is a well-known airport in Champaign, Savoy. It is a convenient starting point for travellers, with easy accessibility. Willard Airport does not serve domestic or international flights. However, it has been in the news for accommodating emergency landings, including that of a Learjet. The Learjet is a private jet that is quite popular due to its speed, range, cabin space, technological advancements, and takeoff and landing performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can a Learjet land at Willard Airport? | Yes |
| Location of Willard Airport | Savoy |
| Airport code | CMI |
| Number of flights per day | 0 |
| Domestic flights | No |
| International flights | No |
| Earliest departure | 05:00 |
| Latest departure | 16:05 |
| Learjet range | 2,056 miles nonstop |
| Learjet speed | 451 knots true airspeed (KTAS) |
| Learjet cabin space | 6-8 passengers |
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What You'll Learn
Willard Airport does not serve international or domestic flights
Willard Airport (CMI) is located in Savoy, near Champaign, Illinois. While the airport is well-known and easily accessible, it does not serve international or domestic flights. Willard Airport is, however, used by private jets, including Learjets.
In 2019, a Learjet was forced to divert to Willard Airport after experiencing engine trouble en route from Des Moines, Iowa, to the Indianapolis Executive Airport in Indiana. The plane landed safely, and all nine passengers were reported to be unharmed. This incident demonstrates that while Willard Airport may not be a hub for commercial flights, it can accommodate private jets in emergency situations.
The airport serves as a base for multiple airlines that operate numerous flights per day. These flights often connect Champaign to other cities within the United States, such as Miami, Boston, Chicago, and New York. However, despite these frequent connections to other cities, Willard Airport is not considered a domestic or international flight hub.
Willard Airport's role as a diversionary landing spot for private jets showcases its versatility and ability to handle unexpected situations. Its proximity to other airports, such as Decatur Airport and Vermilion Regional Airport, also underscores its strategic location within the region's aviation network. While it may not facilitate commercial flights, Willard Airport remains an important aviation facility in the area.
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Learjets can land on short runways at regional airports
Willard Airport in Savoy is a well-known airport in Champaign. It is a convenient location for travellers, serving as an ideal starting point for their journeys. In 2019, a Learjet was forced to divert to Willard Airport after experiencing engine trouble en route from Des Moines, Iowa, to the Indianapolis Executive Airport in Indiana. The plane landed safely, and all nine passengers were unharmed.
Learjets are popular private jets known for their speed, range, cabin space, and technological advancements. They are capable of flying long distances quickly and providing optimal passenger comfort. The Learjet 35, for example, has a range of 2,056 miles nonstop and can cruise at speeds of up to 451 knots true airspeed. It is also known for its good takeoff and landing performance, with Honeywell engines that provide 3,500 pounds of thrust and the ability to land on short runways at regional airports.
The Learjet 60, another variant, is equipped with two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW305A turbofan engines, each generating 4,600 pounds of thrust at takeoff. While the Learjet 60 typically requires 5,450 feet of runway to take off at sea level, it can land with just 3,009 feet of runway when carrying four passengers. This capability underscores the ability of Learjets to operate effectively at smaller airports with shorter runways.
The Learjet 40 is another notable model that offers a spacious cabin volume of 363 cubic feet, accommodating up to seven passengers comfortably. Its advanced avionics suite, carbon brakes, wing spoilers, and "delta fins" contribute to soft landings and enhanced stability. These features, combined with its excellent range and payload flexibility, make the Learjet 40 a highly capable and versatile aircraft.
In summary, Learjets are well-suited for landing on short runways at regional airports like Willard Airport. Their powerful engines, advanced avionics, and landing capabilities make them a popular choice in the private jet market, offering both performance and comfort for travellers embarking on various journeys from convenient departure points.
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Willard Airport is located in Savoy
Willard Airport is owned and operated by the University of Illinois, which provides an annual subsidy of $433,000 for its operations. The airport was once home to the University of Illinois Institute of Aviation, a research and pilot training facility that closed in 2014. The university continues to utilise the airport, as evidenced by its hosting of a Global Entry Interview Event in 2017.
Willard Airport serves as a convenient travel hub, offering flights to various domestic destinations. American Eagle operates daily flights to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. While the airport does not serve international flights, it provides a seamless travel experience for passengers embarking on domestic journeys.
In addition to its flight offerings, Willard Airport features several amenities for travellers, including four car rental agencies and a cafe that offers fresh food, snacks, and beverages. The airport also has a range of parking options, such as a paid parking lot, a rental car parking lot, and a curbside loading zone.
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Learjets are private jets
The first Learjet, the Learjet 23, took flight in 1963. It was a six- to eight-seater and first flew on October 7, 1963, with the first production model delivered in October 1964. The company was then renamed the Lear Jet Corporation. The Learjet 23 was one of the first dedicated business jets ever built, drawing inspiration from the Swiss-designed single-engine ground-attack FFA P-16 fighter jet.
The Learjet was innovative, offering a comfortable and sleek design with high speed and user-friendly features for pilots. The cabin space was likened to sitting in a comfortable family car. However, the early era of Learjets saw frequent instances of pilot error, with 23 out of 104 jets crashing within three years of the first sales.
Over time, the Learjet expanded its fleet, introducing larger models such as the Learjet 24, 25, 28, and 29. The company merged with Gates Aviation in 1967, and in 1984, Gates Learjet announced the start of their Aerospace Division. However, by the end of that year, the company had ceased production of its commercial jets. In 1990, Learjet was acquired by Bombardier, and production continued under the Bombardier Learjet series.
Bombardier ended production of all Learjet aircraft in 2021, delivering its final aircraft, the Learjet 75, in March 2022. The Learjet series maintained a smaller design, which fell out of favour as market demand shifted towards larger cabin private jets with higher passenger capacity. Despite this, Learjet's impact on the private aviation sector remains significant, with over 2,000 aircraft still in operation today.
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Willard Airport is a well-known airport in Champaign
Willard Airport, officially known as the University of Illinois Willard Airport, is a well-known airport in Champaign, Illinois. The airport is located in Savoy, about five miles south of downtown Champaign and is easily accessible from U.S. Route 45. With three runways and five gates in its terminal, Willard Airport covers 1,799 acres of land.
Willard Airport has a significant economic impact on the region, contributing $74,325,994 annually to the local economy and supporting the creation of 112.8 jobs. The airport also generates substantial tax revenues, with $10.2 million in annual tax receipts and $2.3 million in local taxes.
The airport has a diverse range of aircraft operations, including general aviation, air taxi, military, and commercial flights. In the 12 months ending December 31, 2021, the airport averaged 127 aircraft operations per day, with 70% consisting of general aviation. Willard Airport also offers convenient non-stop services to major hubs such as Chicago O'Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth.
In addition to its economic significance, Willard Airport has a notable history. It was once home to the University of Illinois Institute of Aviation, a research and pilot training facility, until 2014. The airport gained notoriety in 1998 when Air Force One became stuck in the mud during President Bill Clinton's visit.
Willard Airport has also demonstrated its capability to handle unexpected events, such as the safe landing of a Learjet after an engine failure in 2019. The airport's ability to accommodate Learjets and its focus on convenience and connectivity contribute to its reputation in Champaign and the surrounding areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can. Willard Airport in Savoy has accommodated Learjets in the past.
The earliest departure is a flight to Manila (AA4073) at 05:00.
The latest departure is a flight to Chiang Mai (AA3468) at 16:05.
There are approximately 0 flights per day.
Willard Airport does not serve domestic or international flights. However, it is located near several other airports, including Decatur Airport (57km away) and Vermilion Regional Airport (59km away).
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