Ruth Haines
The Auburn University Regional Airport, formerly known as the Auburn–Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport, is a public airport that offers no commercial services. It is located 4 km east of Auburn, Alabama, and is owned by Auburn University. The airport was first constructed in 1930 as a private airfield and has since gone through several improvements and changes in function. Today, the airport provides top-tier services and easy access to Auburn, Opelika, and the surrounding East Alabama region. The airport's full-service fixed-base operator (FBO) offers Phillips 66 fuels and premium amenities. The FBO is staffed from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends, with additional charges for after-hours assistance. In terms of aircraft maintenance, the airport's mechanics can service most single-engine, twin-engine, and turboprop aircraft, but only provide minor powerplant and airframe services. While the airport's specific capacity for aircraft size is not publicly available, its focus on general aviation and lack of commercial services suggest that it caters to smaller planes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | Auburn University Regional Airport |
| Airport Type | Public Use Airport |
| Airport Owner | Auburn University |
| Commercial Service | No |
| Closest Commercial Airports | Columbus Airport, Montgomery Regional Airport, Birmingham–Shuttlesworth International Airport, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport |
| Distance to Closest Commercial Airports | 40 miles (Columbus), 60 miles (Montgomery), 115 miles (Birmingham), 100 miles (Atlanta) |
| FBO Services | WSI Weather, Courtesy Cars, Aircraft Maintenance, Oxygen, Nitrogen, GPU Availability, Vending, Cable TV, Computer Workstations, Wired and Wireless Internet, LAV Service |
| Aircraft Serviced | Single Engine, Twin Engine, Turbo-Prop |
| Maintenance Availability | 7 AM to 4 PM local time |
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What You'll Learn
Auburn University Regional Airport history
The Auburn University Regional Airport, formerly known as the Auburn–Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport, is a public-use airport located in Auburn, Alabama. The airport is owned by Auburn University and was first constructed in 1930 as a private airfield to serve the sister cities of Auburn and Opelika in Lee County, Alabama. It also served the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API), later renamed Auburn University.
Over the next decade, the airport evolved from a private airfield to a stop along the mail route for the Civil Aeronautics Administration and eventually became a training ground for the U.S. Military. During its time as a Navy/CAA war training school, the Auburn School of Aviation was developed. In 1941, construction began on a frame classroom building, a concrete block hangar for housing training planes for Naval Aviation Cadets, and an administration building, which was completed in 1950. A new terminal was also constructed in 1950 with local, state, and federal funds, featuring enclosed and open flight decks, a restaurant, flight-ready rooms, classrooms, and operations offices.
In 2006, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the installation of a glideslope antenna and approach lighting system for runway 36, with improvements completed by the end of 2007. In 2008, site preparation began for four hangars, a new ramp area, and a new terminal, which was dedicated in September 2010. These enhancements aimed to better accommodate the large crowds flying into Auburn for college football games.
Today, the Auburn University Regional Airport continues to serve the Auburn community by providing year-round, safe, and efficient air transportation for Auburn University faculty, staff, and official guests. The airport offers top-tier services and easy access to Auburn, Opelika, and the surrounding East Alabama region. While there is no commercial service in or out of Auburn, the airport's full-service fixed-base operator provides quality fuels and premium amenities for pilots, passengers, and aviation enthusiasts alike.
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Airport facilities and services
The Auburn University Regional Airport is a public airport that offers no commercial services. It is owned by Auburn University and is located two nautical miles (4 km) east of Auburn's central business district. The airport covers 423 acres of land at an elevation of 777 feet above sea level.
The airport has two runways with asphalt surfaces: Runway 18/36, which is 5,264 feet long and 100 feet wide, and Runway 11/29, which is 4,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. Runway 18/36 was extended in 2002 from its previous length of 3,933 feet to its current length, and it is also equipped with a glideslope antenna and approach lighting system (MALSF).
The Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) at the airport is open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends, providing fuel services and access to various amenities. These amenities include WSI weather, courtesy cars, aircraft maintenance, oxygen, nitrogen, GPU availability, vending machines, cable TV, computer workstations, and wired and wireless internet. The airport's mechanics are capable of servicing most single-engine, twin-engine, and turboprop aircraft, with limited powerplant and airframe services.
In terms of infrastructure, the airport has undergone several improvements over the years, including the construction of a new Temporary Air Traffic Control Tower in August 2024, transforming it from a non-towered airport to a controlled field during operating hours. Additionally, there are plans for crack repairs, pavement rehabilitation, and repainting of the runways, as well as the construction of new hangars, a ramp area, and a terminal to accommodate large crowds for Auburn University's football games.
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Runway and infrastructure improvements
The Auburn University Regional Airport is a public airport located two nautical miles (4 km) east of Auburn's central business district. The airport is owned by Auburn University and does not offer any commercial services.
The airport has received funding for various improvement projects over the years. In 2006, the Federal Aviation Administration approved the installation of a glideslope antenna and an approach lighting system (MALSF) for runway 36. These improvements were completed in 2007.
In 2008, site preparation work began for four new hangars, a new ramp area, and a new terminal. These improvements aimed to enhance the airport's capacity to serve large crowds, particularly those flying in for college football games at Auburn University.
In July 2018, the old FBO (Flight Education Building) was demolished, and the new Delta Air Lines Aviation Education Building was opened. Additionally, WWII-era hangar and maintenance facilities were demolished, and taxiway A was shifted to meet FAA design standards.
In August 2024, a new Temporary Air Traffic Control Tower was constructed, transitioning the airport to a controlled field during operating hours.
The airport has also received federal funding in the form of grants to improve its infrastructure. In 2024, it was announced that Auburn Municipal Airport would receive over $272,000 in federal funding for various improvement projects. This included funding for runway rehabilitation, pavement sealing, and the installation of navigational technology and a visual guidance system.
The airport has also secured funding for other enhancements, such as improving the safety area, installing an electrical emergency generator, and upgrading portions of the HVAC, mechanical, and electrical systems. These improvements are expected to enhance the airport's safety, efficiency, and accessibility, ultimately boosting the local economy.
With these improvements, the Auburn University Regional Airport aims to provide better services and accommodate larger aircraft, catering to the needs of pilots, passengers, and aviation enthusiasts in the region.
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Types of aircraft serviced
The Auburn University Regional Airport is a public airport that offers no commercial services. It is a general aviation facility that provides top-tier services and easy access to Auburn, Opelika, and the surrounding East Alabama region.
The airport's full-service fixed-base operator (FBO) offers Phillips 66 fuels and premium amenities. The FBO is staffed from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends, with fuel services available during these times. After-hours assistance is available for an additional charge.
The airport's maintenance team consists of four mechanics, three of whom hold Inspection Authorization Licenses (IA). They are capable of servicing most single-engine, twin-engine, and turboprop aircraft, as well as providing minor powerplant and airframe services.
The airport has a history dating back to 1930 when it was first constructed as a private airfield serving Auburn and Opelika in Lee County, Alabama. Over the years, it evolved from a private airfield to a stop along the mail route for the Civil Aeronautics Administration and eventually became a training ground for the U.S. Military. Improvements have been made over the decades, including the construction of a new terminal and administration building in 1950, and more recently, the installation of a glideslope antenna and approach lighting system in 2007.
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Location and ownership
The Auburn University Regional Airport, formerly known as the Auburn–Opelika Robert G. Pitts Airport, is located in Auburn, a city in Lee County, Alabama, United States. It is situated two nautical miles (4 km) east of the central business district of Auburn. The airport is owned by Auburn University, which is also located in the city.
The airport was first constructed in 1930 as a private airfield serving the sister cities of Auburn and Opelika. It was also intended to serve the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (API), which was later renamed Auburn University. Over time, the airport transitioned from a private airfield to a stop along the mail route for the Civil Aeronautics Administration and eventually became a training ground for the U.S. Military. During its time as a Navy/CAA war training school, the Auburn School of Aviation was developed.
Auburn University Regional Airport covers an area of 423 acres (171 hectares) and has two runways with asphalt surfaces. The airport offers no commercial services, but it provides top-tier services for pilots, passengers, and aviation enthusiasts. It is easily accessible from Auburn, Opelika, and the surrounding East Alabama region. The airport is also just minutes away from Auburn University, making it convenient for those travelling to the university or the surrounding area.
The Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) at the airport is typically staffed from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays and 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekends, with fuel services available during these times. Maintenance services are available during normal working hours, from 7 AM to 4 PM. The airport's mechanics are capable of servicing most single-engine, twin-engine, and turbo-prop aircraft, although they only provide minor powerplant and airframe services.
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Frequently asked questions
The Auburn University Regional Airport is located 4 km east of the central business district of Auburn in Alabama. It was first constructed in 1930 as a private airfield and has since gone through many improvements and changes.
The airport's FBO has mechanics who can service most single-engine, twin-engine, and turboprop aircraft.
No, the airport does not offer any commercial services. The closest commercial airports are Columbus Airport, Montgomery Regional Airport, Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
