History
The airport was founded in July 1929 by a member of the Hogan family. The airport closed briefly in 1932 because the family could not afford to operate it during the Great Depression. Damage was done to the airport that year when a tornado moved through, damaging the only hangar the airport had. [2] Soon after the airport was closed, the entire family built up the money to buy the land the airport was on and reopen it. They also opened a restaurant at the airport. [3]
The Civil Pilot Training Act of 1939 helped the airport to expand. The Hogans also trained pilots in partnership with Miami University, and the War Department leased the airport for pilot training under the Civil Aviation Authority. Over 300 pilots were trained at the airport during World War II, including for the Civil Air Patrol. [3]
The Hogan family operated charter services at the airport during and after World War II. Flights most often operated between nearby cities in Ohio such as Cincinnati and Dayton. [2]
A group of employees from General Electric Aircraft Engines founded the Jet Flyers' Club at the airport in the early 1950s. [4]
The airport saw a number of improvements throughout the 1960s and 1970s. The runway was paved and lengthened twice, new hangars were constructed, a lighting system was added, and new radio navigation equipment was installed. [2] [3]
It was purchased by Hamilton, Fairfield and Butler Counties in 1984. [5] The runway was widened and lengthened in 1998. [6]
Prior to 2000, it was known as Hamilton-Fairfield Airport. [7]
After being fired in 2017, the former airport manager sued the airport and Butler County, alleging he was fired after questioning how airport terminal construction was paid for and warehouse space rented by the Butler County Sheriff's Office at the airport, claiming both issues may have details in violation with FAA regulation. Most importantly, he claimed the airport was storing non-aviation equipment rent-free and that Butler County was applying "indirect expenses" like liability insurance to the airport budget. [8]
A historical marker was built at the airport in 2018. [3]
In 2021, the airport received a $2 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to continue runway rehabilitation efforts. The project was part of the airport's 10-year capital improvement plan, which itself cost nearly $4 million. [9]
Facilities
The airport covers 650 acres (2.6 km2). Its asphalt runway, designated as runway 11/29, measures 5,500 by 100 feet (1,676 m × 30 m).
For the 12-month period ending September 22, 2022, the airport had 55,228 aircraft operations, average 152 per day: 80% general aviation and 20% air taxi. 116 aircraft were then based at the airport at the time: 101 single-engine, 10 multi-engine airplanes, 2 jets, 2 helicopters, and 1 glider. [1] [11]
The airport has a fixed-base operator that offers fuel – both avgas and jet fuel – and services such as general maintenance, catering, courtesy transportation, rental cars, conference rooms, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, showers, and more. [12]
The airport is home to Butler Tech's Aviation Exploration pathway, which educates approximately fifty high school juniors and seniors each year in avionics and aviation maintenance. [13]
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