The Mystery Of Ohio State University's Airport

why does osu have an airport

The Ohio State University Airport (OSU) is a public airport owned and operated by Ohio State University. OSU Airport began in 1943 as a flight training facility for pilots and has been used for various purposes since then, including research, sports team transportation, and general aviation services. With three runways, a helipad, and a range of amenities, the airport has seen significant investment in recent years, including a new terminal building and additional hangars. The airport is also home to several university departments and organisations, including the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Gas Turbine Laboratory.

Characteristics Values
Year of establishment 1917
Owner Ohio State University
Location Franklin County, Ohio, United States
Distance from downtown Columbus 6 miles (10 km)
Main Entrance Located on Case Road
Access Easily accessible from OH-315 and Interstate 270
Purpose Serves the university and offers general aviation services for the public
Number of runways 3
Number of helipads 1
Number of annual aircraft operations 77,745 (based on the 12-month period ending December 31, 2021)
Average daily aircraft operations 213
Number of takeoffs and landings in 2020 Most of all Ohio airports
Number of hangars Dozens

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The Ohio State University Airport was originally a flight training facility

The Ohio State University Airport, also known as OSU Don Scott Airport, was originally a flight training facility for military and civilian pilots. It was established in 1943 and operated by the OSU School of Aviation. The airport has a rich history, dating back to World War II when it played a crucial role in training pilots.

During World War I, The Ohio State University opened its first airport in 1917 to train cadets in aircraft building and flying for the war effort. The current airport, which began as a flight training facility, was part of a larger initiative by the War Department to establish Schools of Military Aeronautics at six universities, including Ohio State. This initiative underscores the important role that universities played in contributing to the military's aviation capabilities during times of conflict.

The OSU Airport is located six miles (10 km) northwest of downtown Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio. It is owned and operated by Ohio State University and serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it caters to the university's needs, and secondly, it offers general aviation services to the public. The airport is easily accessible from major roads and highways, making it a convenient option for travellers.

The airport has undergone significant developments over the years. In 2018, a new $15 million terminal building was unveiled, and numerous new hangars were constructed to accommodate more aircraft. The airport's master plan includes expanding the main runway to 6,000 feet to enhance the capabilities of corporate aviation departments.

The OSU Airport is also home to several important facilities, including the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Gas Turbine Laboratory, as well as facilities operated by the College of Agriculture. Additionally, it serves as the base for the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Aviation Section and the Ohio Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation. With its busy schedule, the airport logged the most takeoffs and landings of all Ohio airports in 2020, showcasing its vital role in aviation in the state.

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OSU Airport is also a research location, home to the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering

The Ohio State University Airport (OSU) is a public airport that is owned and operated by Ohio State University. The airport, which is located 10 km northwest of downtown Columbus, has a rich history that dates back to 1917 when it was established as a training facility for World War 1 cadets. Today, the airport continues to be a vital resource for the university and the surrounding community, offering general aviation services to the public.

The OSU Airport is also a research location and is home to the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering and Aviation Gas Turbine Laboratory. The airport has a long history of aviation research, dating back to the 1940s when it was used for testing crop-dusting aircraft. Today, the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering is at the forefront of aerospace research and innovation, conducting various projects and studies. The department also offers funding for research projects and student scholarships, as well as economic and public policy studies in technical projects.

The OSU Airport is also home to several other facilities and organisations, including the Ohio State University Center for Aviation Studies, which was founded in partnership with NetJets. The Center provides funding for research projects, student scholarships, and fellowships, as well as conducting economic and public policy studies. The airport also houses fourteen corporate flight departments and four flying clubs, providing a hub for aviation enthusiasts and professionals alike.

The airport's main runway was rehabilitated in 2020 to ensure safe operations, and there are plans to expand it further to accommodate corporate aviation departments' needs for non-stop flights. The airport also has a helipad for helicopter operations and a fixed-base operator that offers avgas and Jet A fuel, as well as various amenities such as general maintenance, catering, and a crew lounge.

The OSU Airport is an essential part of the university's infrastructure, providing a learning lab for students and easy access to charter and business flights. It plays a critical role in transportation, as seen during the pandemic when it enabled essential travel and the transport of medical specimens. The airport is also a base for the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Aviation Section and the Ohio Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation.

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The airport is publicly accessible and offers general aviation services

The Ohio State University Airport (OSU) is a public airport located six miles (10 km) northwest of downtown Columbus, in Franklin County, Ohio. It is owned and operated by Ohio State University and is accessible from OH-315 and Interstate 270, with its main entrance on Case Road.

The airport has a rich history, dating back to 1917 when it was established as a training facility for World War 1 cadets to build and fly aircraft. It became a public-use airport in 1959 and has been offering general aviation services to the public ever since. OSU Airport is also home to the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Gas Turbine Laboratory, as well as several facilities operated by the OSU College of Agriculture. With three runways, a helipad, and a variety of amenities, the airport provides easy access to charter and business flights, serving as a convenient gateway for travellers, students, and aviation enthusiasts alike.

The airport's general aviation services include a fixed-base operator that supplies avgas and Jet A fuel. Additionally, it offers amenities such as general maintenance, catering, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, showers, and a courtesy car. The airport also features a new terminal building, unveiled in 2018, and numerous hangars for housing airplanes. The master plan includes further expansion of the main runway to 6,000 feet, enabling corporate aviation departments to fly further non-stop from the airport.

OSU Airport is a Part 139 Certificated Airport, serving as a reliever for the nearby John Glenn Columbus International Airport. It plays a crucial role in Ohio, having plugged a critical transportation gap during the pandemic, enabling essential travel and the transport of medical specimens. The airport is also strategically located for Central Ohio companies, providing easy access to the East Coast. It is one of only three airports owned by a Tier One research institution and is largely exempt from property taxes.

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OSU Airport is one of 30 university-owned airports in the US

The Ohio State University Airport (OSU) is one of 30 university-owned airports in the United States. OSU Airport is located six miles (10 km) northwest of downtown Columbus, in Franklin County, Ohio. The airport is owned and operated by Ohio State University, and it is also known as the OSU Don Scott Airport, named after an OSU alumnus, Donald E. Scott, who died during his pilot training in the Second World War.

The history of OSU Airport can be traced back to 1917 when the War Department established Schools of Military Aeronautics at six universities, including Ohio State. The current OSU Airport began in 1943 as a flight training facility for military and civilian pilots, operated by the OSU School of Aviation. The airport has been used for various purposes over the years, including crop dusting aircraft research in the 1940s, and as a transport hub for university sports teams, faculty, and administration in the 1970s.

OSU Airport has three runways and a helipad for helicopter operations. It serves as a general aviation reliever for the nearby John Glenn Columbus International Airport and is home to several facilities, including the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Gas Turbine Laboratory, the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Aviation Section, and the Ohio Department of Transportation's Office of Aviation. The airport offers various amenities, such as general maintenance, catering, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, and showers.

The OSU Airport plays a vital role in the community, providing easy access to charter and business flights and enabling essential travel during the pandemic. It is also a hub for aviation enthusiasts, with student pilots, leisure and business travellers, and plane enthusiasts passing through each year. The airport is largely exempt from paying property taxes.

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The airport has three runways and a helipad

The Ohio State University Airport (OSU) has a rich history dating back to 1917 when it was established as a training facility for World War 1 pilots. Today, the airport continues to serve the university and the public, offering a range of aviation services. Notably, the airport boasts three runways and a helipad, catering to various aircraft and operations.

The first of the three runways, designated 9R/27L, serves as the airport's main runway. With a length of 5,004 feet and a width of 100 feet, it is paved with asphalt. This runway underwent rehabilitation in 2020 to ensure safe operations, and there are plans to expand it to 6,000 feet to accommodate longer flights for corporate aviation departments.

The second runway, 9L/27R, runs parallel to the main runway. It is slightly shorter, measuring 2,994 feet in length, with the same width of 100 feet, and is also asphalt-paved. The third runway, designated 5/23, is the shortest of the three, with a length of 3,562 feet and a width of 100 feet, paved with asphalt as well.

In addition to the runways, the airport also features a designated helipad for helicopter operations. The helipad, marked as H1, measures 40 feet by 40 feet and is paved with asphalt. This helipad enhances the airport's versatility, allowing for helicopter landings and takeoffs separate from the fixed-wing aircraft using the runways.

The combination of three runways and a helipad at OSU Airport provides flexibility and supports the diverse range of operations the airport facilitates. Whether it's for leisure, business, or aviation training, the airport's infrastructure enables efficient aircraft movement and supports the region's aviation needs.

Frequently asked questions

The Ohio State University Airport (OSU) was established in 1917 when the War Department set up Schools of Military Aeronautics at six universities, including Ohio State. It was used as a flight training facility for military and civilian pilots.

OSU Airport is a public airport that serves the university while offering general aviation services for the public. It is also home to the OSU Department of Aerospace Engineering & Aviation Gas Turbine Laboratory, several facilities operated by the OSU College of Agriculture, and fourteen corporate flight departments.

OSU Airport is one of only three airports owned by a Tier One research institution. It is also known for being the base for the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Aviation Section and for logging the most takeoffs and landings of all Ohio airports in 2020.

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