Springfield, Illinois: Airport Or Not?

Springfield, Illinois, is served by the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, also known as Abe Lincoln Capital Airport or Springfield Abe Lincoln Capital Airport. The airport is located about four miles from the city centre and is accessible via Capital Airport Drive.

The airport's name is Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport

Springfield, Illinois, is served by the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, also known as Abe Lincoln Capital Airport or Springfield Abe Lincoln Capital Airport. The airport is located at 1160 Capital Airport Drive, just four miles from the city centre. It covers 2,300 acres of land at an elevation of 598 feet and is home to two runways. The longer of the two runways, 4/22, is 8,001 feet long and made of concrete, while the other, 13/31, is 7,400 feet long and made of asphalt.

The airport is named after Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, who began his political career in Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln famously practised law in the city and served in the Illinois state legislature from 1834 to 1842.

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is home to the 183rd Fighter Wing, an Illinois Air National Guard unit. It also houses the Capital Airport Air National Guard Station, a 91-acre facility on land leased from the Springfield Airport Authority.

The airport has been recognised for its efforts in embracing renewable energy sources. In 2022, it broke ground on a solar energy farm with the goal of powering over 90% of its needs with renewable energy. It also received funding to upgrade its facilities during the Covid-19 pandemic, including rehabilitating the north airport public parking lot and the north airport roadway.

It is 4 miles from Springfield's centre

Springfield, Illinois, is served by the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, also known as Abe Lincoln Capital Airport or Springfield Abe Lincoln Capital Airport. The airport is located just 4 miles from the city's centre.

The airport's address is 1160 Capital Airport Drive, Springfield, IL 62707. It covers 2,300 acres of land at an elevation of 598 feet. It has two runways: one concrete, and one asphalt. The airport is home to the Capital Airport Air National Guard Station, a 91-acre facility on land leased from the Springfield Airport Authority.

Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport has a varied history. Two units of the Illinois National Guard were stationed at the airport in 1946, and one remains there today. The airport is also home to the 183d Fighter Wing, an Illinois Air National Guard unit with a total strength of 1,321 military personnel. In 2018, the airport received a $7 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration's Airport Improvement Program to upgrade its passenger terminal and improve general aviation facilities, roadways, and parking lots.

The airport has continued to develop and improve its facilities. In 2021, it received $3 million in funding from the State of Illinois to upgrade its facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic downturn. This funding was used to rehabilitate the north airport public parking lot and the north airport roadway. The airport also began constructing a new crosswind runway to accommodate more traffic in varying wind conditions. Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport is also taking steps to prepare its facilities for electric-powered aircraft and has embraced renewable energy sources, breaking ground on a solar energy farm in 2022.

It has two runways

Springfield, Illinois is served by the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI). The airport is located 4 miles from the city centre. Covering an area of 2,300 acres, the airport has two runways. The first runway, 4/22, is 8,001 feet long and 150 feet wide, and is made of concrete. The second runway, 13/31, is 7,400 feet long and 150 feet wide, and is made of asphalt.

In 2021, the airport received $3 million in funding from the State of Illinois to upgrade its facilities. This included rehabilitating the north airport public parking lot and the north airport roadway, as well as constructing a new crosswind runway to accommodate more traffic in varying wind conditions. The airport also began preparations to accommodate electric-powered aircraft. In 2022, runway 18-36 was removed.

The airport is home to the Capital Airport Air National Guard Station, a 91-acre facility on land leased from the Springfield Airport Authority (SAA). It is also home to the 183d Fighter Wing (183 FW), an Illinois Air National Guard unit consisting of 321 full-time and 800 part-time military personnel, for a total strength of 1,321.

The airport offers a range of services and facilities, including an FBO with fuel, general maintenance, catering, hangars, courtesy cars, conference rooms, and a crew lounge.

It has a solar energy farm

Springfield, Illinois is served by the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport (SPI), which is located about four miles from the city centre. The airport has two runways and covers an area of 2,300 acres, with an elevation of 598 feet. In addition to its aviation infrastructure, the airport broke ground on a solar energy farm in 2022, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and renewable energy sources.

The solar energy farm is a significant initiative undertaken by the airport to increase its reliance on renewable energy sources. With this project, the airport aims to power over 90% of its operations using renewable energy. This ambitious goal reflects the airport's recognition of the importance of environmental responsibility and its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint.

The construction of the solar energy farm is a welcome development, especially considering the airport's history and previous challenges. In 2021, the airport received $3 million in funding from the State of Illinois to upgrade its facilities, including rehabilitating the north airport public parking lot and the north airport roadway. Additionally, the airport began constructing a new crosswind runway to accommodate more traffic in varying wind conditions.

The solar energy farm is a strategic addition to these upgrades, ensuring that the airport's operations become more sustainable in the long term. By investing in renewable energy infrastructure, the airport is not only reducing its environmental impact but also future-proofing its energy needs. This forward-thinking approach aligns with the growing global trend towards clean and sustainable energy solutions.

The Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport's solar energy farm sets a positive example for other airports and organisations in the region. By embracing renewable energy sources, the airport is taking a proactive step towards a greener future. This initiative not only benefits the airport's operations but also contributes to the wider community's sustainability goals, showcasing the importance of innovative solutions in addressing environmental challenges.

It is home to the 183d Fighter Wing

Springfield, Illinois is home to the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport, which serves the city of Springfield. The airport is located at 1160 Capital Airport Drive, Springfield, IL 62707.

The airport is also home to the 183rd Fighter Wing, a unit of the Illinois Air National Guard. The 183rd Fighter Wing has a long and distinguished history, having been designated the 183rd Tactical Fighter Group and allotted to the Air National Guard on 11 September 1962. Over the years, the unit has undergone several name changes and realignments. On 4 March 2017, the unit was redesignated as the 183rd Wing (183 WG).

The 183rd Wing is a non-flying unit tasked with supporting the Component Numbered Air Force (C-NAF) in both the Air and Space Operations Centers (AOC) and the Air Force Forces staff (AFFOR), A1 to A9. The mission of the 183rd Wing is to provide traditional military services and force sustainment support to assigned groups and tenant units. This includes civil engineering, personnel management, logistics, communications, medical services, security, and family support, among other host services.

The primary unit of the 183rd Wing is the 183rd Air Operations Group (183 AOG), which is capable of augmenting C-NAF staffs worldwide, providing valuable training opportunities for AOG personnel in various locations. The outstanding quality of work exhibited by the 183rd Fighter Wing has been recognised, and as a result, the BRAC commission recommended realigning their facilities and personnel skill sets into a Centralized Intermediate Repair Facility.

Frequently asked questions