Janesville, Wisconsin: Airport Accessibility And Travel Options

The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport (IATA: JVL, ICAO: KJVL, FAA LID: JVL) is a public airport located southwest of Janesville and north of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin, United States. Formerly known as Rock County Airport, it is owned and operated by the Rock County government. The airport offers flight lessons, aircraft rental, aircraft charter, and more.

Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport

Yes, Janesville, Wisconsin, is served by the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport. The airport is located southwest of Janesville and north of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin. It is owned and operated by the Rock County government.

The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport was formerly known as the Rock County Airport. It covers an area of 1,343 acres at an elevation of 808 feet above mean sea level. The airport has no scheduled commercial passenger service, but it is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2025–2029 and is categorized as a national general aviation facility.

The airport has a Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) that offers various services, including fuel, hangar parking, catering, courtesy cars, a conference room, and a crew lounge. It also has a wide range of businesses operating from the airport, such as aircraft maintenance shops, flight schools, aircraft rental services, golf clubs, and restaurants.

The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport was once home to the annual Southern Wisconsin AirFest, which featured North American jet teams like the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds. The airport has a rich history, with several Rock County farms providing land for contract glider pilot training to the United States Army Air Forces in 1942.

No scheduled commercial passenger service

The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, formerly known as Rock County Airport, is located southwest of Janesville and north of Beloit in Rock County, Wisconsin. The airport is owned and operated by the Rock County government. While it does not have any scheduled commercial passenger service, it does offer a range of other aviation services and facilities.

The airport has a long history in aviation, dating back to 1942 when several Rock County farms provided land for contract glider pilot training for the United States Army Air Forces. The training was conducted by the Morey Airplane Company and included approaches with the engine off, landing at a mark, night landing, and strange field landing. While the glider pilot training did not take place at the current airport location, the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport has seen scheduled airline passenger service in the past. Wisconsin Central Airlines, later known as North Central and then Republic, began service on May 14, 1950. In 1979, the airport offered service to Chicago-O'Hare on Republic Airlines and Midstate Airlines. However, Republic's service ended in October 1981, and Midstate's service ended just eight months after it began, on December 31, 1979. Mid-Continent Airlines, later American Central Airlines, filled the gap, starting service on October 1, 1981, and ending on July 25, 1985.

Today, the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport covers 1,343 acres of land and has an elevation of 808 feet above mean sea level. It features three runways, the longest of which is 7,302 feet in length. The airport caters primarily to general aviation, with 90% of its aircraft operations falling into this category as of 2021. It is also home to various businesses, including flight schools, aircraft rental services, aircraft maintenance shops, and dining options.

While there may not be scheduled commercial passenger service at the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville, it is still a hub of aviation activity, offering a range of services to pilots, aircraft enthusiasts, and local businesses. The airport's history, dating back to World War II, and its inclusion in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2025-2029, further emphasize its importance to the region's aviation landscape.

Aircraft operations and businesses

The Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville is home to a variety of aircraft operations and businesses. Formerly known as the Janesville Jet Center, the airport is now called Revv Janesville and is owned by the Steven King family.

Revv Aviation is one of the businesses based at the airport, offering flight lessons, aircraft rental, and aircraft charter services. The airport also houses Blackhawk Aircraft Maintenance, which specializes in classic and modern aircraft maintenance. For those interested in learning to fly, Elevation Air provides flight lessons and aircraft rental, along with being a Cessna pilot center. Helicopter enthusiasts are also catered to by Helicopter Specialties, an FAA-certified helicopter maintenance and repair station.

In addition to these aviation-focused businesses, the airport is also home to Bessie's Diner, where patrons can enjoy a meal while watching the airplanes. The Glen Erin Golf Club offers a relaxing 18-hole course, a driving range, dining options, and a new 400-person ballroom. For those looking to buy or sell aircraft, Meisner Aircraft Jet Sales & Acquisition provides an opportunity to trade, buy, and sell various aircraft.

With its variety of aircraft operations and businesses, the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport in Janesville caters to a wide range of aviation needs and provides a hub for the local community to gather, dine, and enjoy the thrill of flight.

Aviation history

Janesville, Wisconsin, has an airport, the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport, which is located on Airport Road. The airport was formerly known as the Janesville Jet Center and is now home to Revv Aviation, which offers flight lessons, aircraft rental, and aircraft charter services.

The city's first airport was the Janesville City Airport, which was located on the northern fringe of the town, just west of Highway 26. The earliest known photo of this airport is from around 1929, and it is believed that the field had been in use for at least two years before that. The airport's official opening, or that of its hangar, was likely on August 9, 1931, when Wiley Post and Harold Gatty flew in, just weeks after their famous flight around the world. In 1932, airport boundary lights were introduced, and there was likely only one building at the airport at the time. Unfortunately, this building was destroyed by a fire in 1933, and all the planes in the hangar were lost. Air mail service to the airport began in 1931 through Northwest Airlines.

Another airport in the area, Air City Airport in Sturtevant, was established by Ed Hedeen, who ran Wisconsin's largest flying school there. Hedeen managed the airport until at least 1937.

Today, the Southern Wisconsin Regional Airport is home to a variety of businesses, including aircraft maintenance shops, flight schools, aircraft rental services, golf clubs, and restaurants.

Local attractions

Janesville, Wisconsin, is known as "Wisconsin's Park Place" for good reason. The city boasts hundreds of acres of parks and trails, award-winning botanical gardens, and 13 historic districts. There's plenty to do outdoors, from hiking and fishing to watching the world's best water-ski show team.

For those interested in history, Janesville has a quaint downtown area with 13 historic districts to explore. You can also take a tour of Downtown Janesville's first microbrewery, which opened its doors in 2017, and learn about the history of the city.

If you're looking for a fun side trip, the MacFarlane Pheasant Farm is a great option. Visitors can enjoy delicious pheasant dishes, take a tour of the farm, and purchase frozen pheasant products and recipes to take home.

Janesville also offers a variety of shopping and dining options. Visitors can savour local craft beer and wine and choose from dozens of restaurants. There's also live theatre to enjoy and peaceful trails for those who want to relax and immerse themselves in nature.

With so much to offer, Janesville, Wisconsin, is a great destination for those seeking outdoor adventures, historical insights, and local attractions.

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