Rickenbacker International Airport
Encyclopedia
Rickenbacker International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport
located 10 miles (16 km
) south of the central business district
of Columbus
, near the village of Lockbourne
in extreme southern Franklin County
, Ohio
, United States
. The southern end of the airport extends into northern Pickaway County
. The base was named for the famous early aviator and Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker
. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority
, which also operates Port Columbus International Airport
and Bolton Field
. Rickenbacker International is used primarily as a cargo airport for the city of Columbus and a growing number of passenger charter carriers are using the airport as well.
The United States Air Force
maintains a presence in the form of the Ohio Air National Guard
's 121st Air Refueling Wing
, the first Air National Guard
unit to fly KC-135 Stratotankers. Rickenbacker International is also the headquarters for the Ohio Military Reserve
, one of the state defense forces
of Ohio
.
Rickenbacker used to be run by the Rickenbacker Port Authority, until merging in 2003 with Port Columbus and Bolton field creating the Columbus Regional Airport Authority. As of July 2006, Rickenbacker is the world's 126th busiest cargo airport according to Air Cargo World. Rickenbacker ranks as one of the worlds top 20 fastest growing cargo airports in July 2006 with 112,888 tons, a 15.3% increase from the previous year. This is mainly due to the transfer of AirNet Systems
operations from Port Columbus International Airport
to Rickenbacker. This number is expected to increase with the introduction of the new intermodal facility that is under construction. As of now it has scheduled service from FedEx Express along with FedEx Feeder contractors, Mountain Air Cargo
and CSA Air
and UPS Airlines
along with contractors Air Cargo Carriers
. Multi-weekly 747 freighter service is operated by Evergreen International Airlines
, Atlas Air
, and Kalitta Air
. Another airline based at Rickenbacker is Snow Aviation. Rickenbacker International Airport was also the site for filming all aircraft exterior shots in the movie Air Force One
starring Harrison Ford
. In 2007, Rickenbacker hosted the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends air show, one of the largest-ever gatherings of operable classic warbirds, especially the P-51 Mustang.
Rickenbacker International Airport covers an area of 4342 acres (1,757 ha) which contains two runway
s:
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2005, the airport had 56,998 aircraft operations, an average of 156 per day: 41% air taxi
, 28% military, 23% general aviation
and 9% scheduled commercial. There are 72 aircraft based at this airport: 14% single engine, 6% multi-engine, 6% jet aircraft, 44% helicopter
s and 31% military aircraft.
In December, 2006 PlanetSpace
entered negotiations with the Ohio government to build a spaceport
at Rickenbacker.
AirNet Express
has its headquarters on the airport property.
). It was then named the Northeastern Training Center of the Army Air Corps, and provided basic pilot training and military support.
During the Cold War
the facility was known as Lockbourne Air Force Base and was assigned to the USAF Strategic Air Command
. Lockbourne AFB was redesignated Rickenbacker Air Force Base on 18 May 1974, by Department of the Air Force Special Order GA-11 of 6 March 1974, to honor Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker
, the leading American fighter pilot of World War I
.
The base was transferred from the Strategic Air Command to the Air National Guard
and redesignated Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base on 1 April 1980.
The base was recommended for closure by the 1991 Commission, but as a result of a proposal by the State of Ohio, the 1993 Commission recommended that Rickenbacker ANGB be realigned rather than closed. The Commission decided to retain the 121st Air Refueling Wing and the 160th Air Refueling Group in a military cantonment area at Rickenbacker ANGB instead of realigning to Wright-Patterson AFB. The Air National Guard would continue to operate as tenants of the Rickenbacker Port Authority (RPA) on the RPA's airport and the military facilities were realigned as Rickenbacker Air National Guard Station on 30 September 1994 by the 1991 Congressional Base Closure and Realignment Commission.
In August 2001 a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction for a new, consolidated Navy and Marine Corps Air Reserve Center at Rickenbacker International Airport. The $10 million center, scheduled for completion in early 2003, will be located at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Club Street adjacent to the Air National Guard facility at Rickenbacker. Being developed by the Navy Reserve, the project will consolidate the Naval Air Reserve Center at Rickenbacker with the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center currently located on Yearling Road in Columbus. When completed, the nearly 1,000 Navy and Marine Corps reservists currently located at the two existing reserve centers will shift their activities to this new facility. Once the new center opens, the site of the existing Naval Air Reserve Center at Rickenbacker will be redeveloped by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which operates the 5000 acres (2,023 ha) airport.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located 10 miles (16 km
Kilometre
The kilometre is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one thousand metres and is therefore exactly equal to the distance travelled by light in free space in of a second...
) south of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, near the village of Lockbourne
Lockbourne, Ohio
Lockbourne is a village in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 280 at the 2000 census. Lockbourne is nearby Rickenbacker International Airport, and had provided its original name of Lockbourne Air Force Base.-Geography:...
in extreme southern Franklin County
Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. In 2010 the population was 1,163,414, making it the second largest county in Ohio and the 34th largest county in population in the United States. Franklin County is also the largest in the eight-county Columbus, Ohio...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The southern end of the airport extends into northern Pickaway County
Pickaway County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 52,727 people, 17,599 households, and 13,287 families residing in the county. The population density was 105 people per square mile . There were 18,596 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
. The base was named for the famous early aviator and Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker
Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.-Early...
. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority
Columbus Regional Airport Authority
Columbus Regional Airport Authority oversees the operations of Port Columbus International Airport, Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field airports in the Columbus, Ohio, area.-History:...
, which also operates Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport , commonly shortened to Port Columbus, is a Class C international airport located east of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees operations at Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field...
and Bolton Field
Bolton Field
Bolton Field is a public airport located eight miles southwest of the central business district of Columbus, a city in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. It is a towered, class D, corporate and general aviation airport operated under the auspices of the Columbus Regional Airport...
. Rickenbacker International is used primarily as a cargo airport for the city of Columbus and a growing number of passenger charter carriers are using the airport as well.
The United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
maintains a presence in the form of the Ohio Air National Guard
Ohio Air National Guard
The Ohio Air National Guard is a part of the United States National Guard and an Air Reserve Component of the United States Air Force. It is composed of approximately 5,000 airmen and officers assigned to four flying wings and eight non-flying support units. OHANG units are based in Columbus,...
's 121st Air Refueling Wing
121st Air Refueling Wing
The United States Air Force's 121st Air Refueling Wing is an aerial refueling organization assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard and located at Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio.-Mission:...
, the first Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
unit to fly KC-135 Stratotankers. Rickenbacker International is also the headquarters for the Ohio Military Reserve
Ohio Military Reserve
The Ohio Military Reserve is a military force which supports the State of Ohio along with the Ohio Army National Guard and Ohio Air National Guard in times of natural disaster and state and national emergencies....
, one of the state defense forces
State Defense Forces
State defense forces in the United States are military units that operate under the sole authority of a state government; they are partially regulated by the National Guard Bureau but they are not a part of the Army National Guard of the United States...
of Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
.
Operations
AirNet Express
AirNet is an American Part 135 cargo airline based in Franklin County, Ohio, USA, near Columbus. It specializes in delivery of documents and small packages. Banks were once their main client, transporting checks for over 300 of the country's largest banks. With the passing of the Check 21 Act, and...
operations from Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport
Port Columbus International Airport , commonly shortened to Port Columbus, is a Class C international airport located east of downtown Columbus, Ohio, USA. It is managed by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which also oversees operations at Rickenbacker International Airport and Bolton Field...
to Rickenbacker. This number is expected to increase with the introduction of the new intermodal facility that is under construction. As of now it has scheduled service from FedEx Express along with FedEx Feeder contractors, Mountain Air Cargo
Mountain Air Cargo
Mountain Air Cargo is an American cargo airline based in Denver, North Carolina, USA. It is a major contract carrier for FedEx Express, operating in the eastern USA and the Caribbean. Previous operations in South America have been discontinued by FedEx who now operate jet aircraft in that area. Its...
and CSA Air
CSA Air
CSA Air is a cargo airline based in Kingsford, Michigan, USA. It operates express cargo services in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota and Canada, operating 52 flights a day. Its main base is Ford Airport, Iron Mountain, Michigan....
and UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines
UPS Airlines is an American cargo airline owned by United Parcel Service Inc. . The company is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. Its home airport is located at Louisville International Airport...
along with contractors Air Cargo Carriers
Air Cargo Carriers
Air Cargo Carriers is a cargo airline based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It was established in 1986 and operates contract feeder cargo services for UPS and DHL. Air Cargo Carriers, Inc. is the largest civilian operator of Shorts aircraft in the world. Its main base of operations is General...
. Multi-weekly 747 freighter service is operated by Evergreen International Airlines
Evergreen International Airlines
Evergreen International Airlines is a cargo airline based in McMinnville, Oregon, USA. It operates contract freight services, offering charters and scheduled flights, as well as wet lease services. It operates services for the U.S. military and the United States Postal Service, as well as ad hoc...
, Atlas Air
Atlas Air
Atlas Air, Inc. is an American cargo airline based in Purchase, Harrison, New York. It operates scheduled freight flights on a wet lease basis for some of the world's leading airlines, flying to 101 cities in 46 countries. Its crew bases include: Miami International Airport, New York's John F...
, and Kalitta Air
Kalitta Air
Kalitta Air is an American cargo airline headquartered in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan, United States. It operates international scheduled and ad-hoc cargo charter services. Its main base is Willow Run Airport near Ypsilanti.-History:...
. Another airline based at Rickenbacker is Snow Aviation. Rickenbacker International Airport was also the site for filming all aircraft exterior shots in the movie Air Force One
Air Force One
Air Force One is the official air traffic control call sign of any United States Air Force aircraft carrying the President of the United States. In common parlance the term refers to those Air Force aircraft whose primary mission is to transport the president; however, any U.S. Air Force aircraft...
starring Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in...
. In 2007, Rickenbacker hosted the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends air show, one of the largest-ever gatherings of operable classic warbirds, especially the P-51 Mustang.
Facilities and aircraft
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
s:
- Runway 5R/23L: 12,102 x 200 ft (3,689 x 61 m), Surface: Asphalt/Concrete
- Runway 5L/23R: 11,937 x 150 ft (3,638 x 46 m), Surface: Asphalt
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2005, the airport had 56,998 aircraft operations, an average of 156 per day: 41% air taxi
Air taxi
An air taxi is an air charter passenger or cargo aircraft which operates on an on-demand basis.-Regulation:In the United States, air taxi and air charter operations are governed by Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations , unlike the larger scheduled air carriers which are governed by more...
, 28% military, 23% general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
and 9% scheduled commercial. There are 72 aircraft based at this airport: 14% single engine, 6% multi-engine, 6% jet aircraft, 44% helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
s and 31% military aircraft.
In December, 2006 PlanetSpace
PlanetSpace
PlanetSpace is a privately funded Chicago-based rocket and space travel project founded by Geoff Sheerin, CEO of the Canadian Arrow corporation and Dr...
entered negotiations with the Ohio government to build a spaceport
Spaceport
A spaceport or cosmodrome is a site for launching spacecraft, by analogy with seaport for ships or airport for aircraft. The word spaceport, and even more so cosmodrome, has traditionally been used for sites capable of launching spacecraft into orbit around Earth or on interplanetary trajectories...
at Rickenbacker.
AirNet Express
AirNet Express
AirNet is an American Part 135 cargo airline based in Franklin County, Ohio, USA, near Columbus. It specializes in delivery of documents and small packages. Banks were once their main client, transporting checks for over 300 of the country's largest banks. With the passing of the Check 21 Act, and...
has its headquarters on the airport property.
Passenger airlines and destinations
Cargo airline service
History
The facility was originally opened in June 1942 as Lockbourne Army Airfield (named after the nearby village of LockbourneLockbourne, Ohio
Lockbourne is a village in Franklin County, Ohio, United States. The population was 280 at the 2000 census. Lockbourne is nearby Rickenbacker International Airport, and had provided its original name of Lockbourne Air Force Base.-Geography:...
). It was then named the Northeastern Training Center of the Army Air Corps, and provided basic pilot training and military support.
During the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
the facility was known as Lockbourne Air Force Base and was assigned to the USAF Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
. Lockbourne AFB was redesignated Rickenbacker Air Force Base on 18 May 1974, by Department of the Air Force Special Order GA-11 of 6 March 1974, to honor Columbus native Eddie Rickenbacker
Eddie Rickenbacker
Edward Vernon Rickenbacker was an American fighter ace in World War I and Medal of Honor recipient. He was also a race car driver and automotive designer, a government consultant in military matters and a pioneer in air transportation, particularly as the longtime head of Eastern Air Lines.-Early...
, the leading American fighter pilot of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
The base was transferred from the Strategic Air Command to the Air National Guard
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard , often referred to as the Air Guard, is the air force militia organized by each of the fifty U.S. states, the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia of the United States. Established under Title 10 and...
and redesignated Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base on 1 April 1980.
The base was recommended for closure by the 1991 Commission, but as a result of a proposal by the State of Ohio, the 1993 Commission recommended that Rickenbacker ANGB be realigned rather than closed. The Commission decided to retain the 121st Air Refueling Wing and the 160th Air Refueling Group in a military cantonment area at Rickenbacker ANGB instead of realigning to Wright-Patterson AFB. The Air National Guard would continue to operate as tenants of the Rickenbacker Port Authority (RPA) on the RPA's airport and the military facilities were realigned as Rickenbacker Air National Guard Station on 30 September 1994 by the 1991 Congressional Base Closure and Realignment Commission.
In August 2001 a groundbreaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction for a new, consolidated Navy and Marine Corps Air Reserve Center at Rickenbacker International Airport. The $10 million center, scheduled for completion in early 2003, will be located at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and Club Street adjacent to the Air National Guard facility at Rickenbacker. Being developed by the Navy Reserve, the project will consolidate the Naval Air Reserve Center at Rickenbacker with the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center currently located on Yearling Road in Columbus. When completed, the nearly 1,000 Navy and Marine Corps reservists currently located at the two existing reserve centers will shift their activities to this new facility. Once the new center opens, the site of the existing Naval Air Reserve Center at Rickenbacker will be redeveloped by the Columbus Regional Airport Authority, which operates the 5000 acres (2,023 ha) airport.
See also
- Central Air Defense ForceCentral Air Defense ForceThe Central Air Defense Force is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Air Defense Command being stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Missouri. It was deactivated on July 1, 1960.-History:...
(Air Defense Command) - 121st Air Refueling Wing121st Air Refueling WingThe United States Air Force's 121st Air Refueling Wing is an aerial refueling organization assigned to the Ohio Air National Guard and located at Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio.-Mission:...