Lima Allen County Airport

Lima Allen County Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerAllen County Regional Airport Authority
ServesLima, Ohio
Elevation AMSL975 ft (297 m)
Coordinates40°42′30″N 084°01′39″W / 40.70833°N 84.02750°W / 40.70833; -84.02750
Map
AOH is located in Ohio
AOH
AOH
Location within Ohio
AOH is located in the United States
AOH
AOH
Location within the United States
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
10/28 6,000 1,829 Asphalt
Statistics (2022)
Aircraft operations32,500
Based aircraft37
Source: Federal Aviation Administration[1]

Lima Allen County Airport (IATA: AOH, ICAO: KAOH, FAA LID: AOH) is a publicly owned, public use airport located six miles southeast of Lima in Allen County, Ohio, United States. It is owned by the Allen County Regional Airport Authority.[1]

History

Lima's original airport was located a few miles northwest of Lima near the village of Elida.[2][a] In November 1958, a bond issue to raise $725,000 to improve the airport with two new paved runways and a terminal building was passed.[5][b] The following day, airline service to the airport had to be paused due to high crosswinds – which was taken as justification for the improvements.[7] The county received a nearly $350,000 federal grant in November 1959 to support the project.[8] However, in May 1960, it selected a different 525-acre (212 ha) site to the east of the city, as it was significantly cheaper to purchase. As the 1958 bond issue specified the existing airport location a legal challenge was filed.[9][10] A judge ruled in favor of the county, but the intended savings failed to materialize.[11][12][c] A groundbreaking for the facility and its planned 5,150-by-150-foot (1,570 m × 46 m) runway was held in late June 1961.[15][16] After declining four bids to operate the airport, a U.S. Army Air Force veteran working as the assistant manager of a local Frisch's was hired as an airport manager in June 1962.[17][18] The airport was dedicated on 3 September 1962.[19]

Lake Central Airlines, which had started service with DC-3s at the old airport in 1954 and continued at the new airport, was maintained by a Civil Aeronautics Board decision in mid 1965.[20][21] After more than three years without a fixed-base operator, Reed Thompson began running the airport in January 1966.[22]

Northern Airlines planned to start flights from Lima in March 1969.[23] However, after less than a year of service, it was being threatened with eviction due to a failure to pay rent.[24] Shortly after being given a second extension on the deadline, it reorganized and replaced its president.[25][26] Apollo Aviation, part of the Allegheny Commuter network, began operations at the airport in March 1973.[27] Yet it too ended flights one year later. This marked the first time that the airport lacked scheduled passenger service, as Allegheny Airlines, which had acquired Lake Central, had retired the Convair 580s that were capable of using the runway.[28] The newly renamed Mid-Continent Airlines announced flights from the airport in June 1976.[29] It operated for only two weeks before going defunct.[30] The fixed-base operator went bankrupt in April 1977 and a new one took over in August.[31][32]

Following a request by the airport authority to the county commissioners, the facility was renamed Lima-Allen County Airport, effective at the start of 1983.[33][34] Later that year, a contract for the installation of an instrument landing system was awarded.[35] With construction of the ILS nearing completion, the beginning of work on a new three phase master plan was announced in September 1984.[36] Meanwhile, Trans Midwest Airlines began flights from the airport at the start of August 1983.[37] Nevertheless, it became the fourth airline to fail, when it ceased service 18 months later, citing an insufficient number of passengers.[38] In December 1986, Fischer Brothers Aviation was contemplating picking up where Midwest left off.[39]

The airport had been considering extending the runway since at least early 1991, but approval to lengthen it to 6,000 feet (1,800 m) did not come until August 2009.[40][41]

In 2022, the airport completed a number of projects to improve its facilities. It used COVID-19 funding from the federal government to upgrade its airport lighting system, including the installation of new runway edge lights, taxiway edge lights, runway end identifier lights, and PAPI lights for runway 10; the airport also installed new airport signage and replaced an electrical vault that runs electricity through the airport.[42] The airport also seal coated the runway and taxiway and rehabilitated the apron pavement surface.[43]

Facilities and aircraft

Facilities

The airport covers 696 acres (282 ha) at an elevation of 975 feet (297 m). Originally, the airport had two runways: 10/28 measures 6,000 by 150 feet (1,829 x 46 m) and is made of asphalt; 14/32, which is now closed, was 3,994 by 150 feet (1,217 x 46 m) and was made of asphalt and grass. Runway 14/32 was closed in the winter months. The grass runway was removed in 2013. Lack of use, the necessary maintenance, and scarce wind alignment were all determining factors involved with its decommissioning.[1]

The airport has a fixed-base operator that sells fuel and offers services such as general maintenance, catering, hangars, courtesy transportation, conference rooms, pilot supplies, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, and a 24-hour terminal.[44]

Aircraft

In the year ending August 11, 2022, the airport had 32,500 aircraft operations, average 89 per day: 80% general aviation, 18% air taxi, and 2% military. 37 aircraft were then based at this airport: 30 single-engine and 6 multi-engine airplanes as well as 1 jet.[1]

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ The original site attempted to compete with the new location, but had closed by 1980. The local television station WLMA would eventually establish a studio in a 6,400-square-foot (590 m2) hangar there.[3][4][2]
  2. ↑ It was noted at the time that it was the sole levy of its type to be approved.[6]
  3. ↑ While the plaintiff was considering whether to file for a retrial, it was alleged the lessor had been charging landing fees in violation of the deed to the land.[13][14]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 "FAA Airport Form 5010 for AOH" (PDF). FAA. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective November 30, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "History of WTLW TV". WTLW 44. Archived from the original on 4 May 2009. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Airport Activity Outlined for July". Lima Citizen. 4 July 1962. p. 2. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  4. ↑ Freeman, Paul (24 January 2026). "Northwestern Ohio". Abandoned & Little-Known Airfields. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
  5. ↑ "Airport Issue OK'd". Lima News. 5 November 1958. p. 1. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Allen Airport Only One Okayed". Lima News. 6 November 1958. p. 13. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Crosswind Signals Airport Bond Need". Lima Citizen. 6 November 1958. p. 29. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  8. ↑ "$348,350 Grand OKd for New Allen County Airport". Lima Citizen. 12 November 1959. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  9. ↑ "New Site Selected for Allen County Airport". Lima News. 27 May 1960. pp. 1, 4. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  10. ↑ "Court to Rule on Transfer of Allen County Airport Site". The Blade. 7 June 1960. p. 17. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  11. ↑ "Airport Site Shift Ruled OK". Lima Citizen. 15 July 1960. p. 3. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  12. ↑ "Controversy Over". Lima News. 2 September 1962. p. B-2. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  13. ↑ "No Action Taken on Landing Charge". Lima News. 22 July 1960. p. 11. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  14. ↑ "New Trial on Airport?". Lima News. 25 July 1960. p. 11. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  15. ↑ "Airport Plans OK'd". Lima Citizen. 29 March 1961. p. 1. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  16. ↑ "Airport Ground Broken". Lima News. 30 June 1961. p. 13. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  17. ↑ "Airport Manager Appointed". Lima Citizen. 26 June 1962. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  18. ↑ "Controversy Over". Lima News. 2 September 1962. p. B-2. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  19. ↑ Fitzgerald, Jack (4 September 1962). "'Port Opening Draws 25,000". Lima News. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  20. ↑ "Lima's Air Service Starts". Lima News. 1 March 1954. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  21. ↑ "CAB Rules Lima Retains Daily North-South Flights". Lima News. 1 July 1965. p. 17. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  22. ↑ "Thompson Gets Airport Papers". Lima News. 13 January 1966. p. 19. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  23. ↑ "Commuter Services Starting to Dayton". Lima News. 1 March 1969. p. 4. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  24. ↑ "'Pay Up or Fly Out,' County Tells Airline". Lima News. 11 February 1970. p. B-1. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  25. ↑ "Deadline Extension Approved". Lima News. 17 February 1970. p. 11. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  26. ↑ "Airline Reveals Reorganization, New President". Lima News. 24 February 1970. p. 11. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  27. ↑ Watkins, Tom (1 March 1973). "Commuter Service Begins". Lima News. p. 28. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  28. ↑ Varland, Ron (28 February 1974). "Allegheny Cancels Local Service". Lima News. pp. A1, A4. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  29. ↑ "Airline Opens Lima Terminal with New Name, Flight Plans". Lima News. 16 June 1976. p. B1. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  30. ↑ Varland, Ron (26 July 1976). "City Based Commuter Line Folds". Lima News. pp. A1, A4. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  31. ↑ Biel, Tony (18 April 1977). "Lima Aviation Bankrupt; Airport Buildings Padlocked". Lima News. p. 13. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  32. ↑ Biel, Tony (5 August 1977). "County Airport Begins New Chapter in Troubled History". Lima News. p. 15. Retrieved 18 July 2026.
  33. ↑ Smith, Russ (5 October 1982). "County Airport Authority Seeking Land to Extend Runway". Lima News. p. B1. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  34. ↑ "Airport Authority to Reorganize". Lima News. 30 December 1982. p. B1. Retrieved 12 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Janczewski, Paul (15 November 1983). "Contract Awarded for Landing System". Lima News. p. B1. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  36. ↑ Janczewski, Paul (19 September 1984). "Master Plan Update Called Step Forward for County Airport". Lima News. p. B1. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  37. ↑ Baxter, Marilyn (7 August 1983). "Airline in Lima Well Received During 1st Week". Lima News. p. E1. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  38. ↑ Cadwallader, Bruce; Halvorson, Todd (1 February 1985). "Shortage of Riders Cited in Airline Pullout". Lima News. p. B1. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  39. ↑ Leitz, Mike (5 December 1986). "Lima Air Passenger Service Gets Favorable Response". Lima News. p. A1. Retrieved 17 July 2026.
  40. ↑ Pina, Phillip C. (20 March 1991). "Runway Extension Top Airport Priority". Lima News. p. C3. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  41. ↑ Blake, Bob (6 August 2009). "Cleared for Takeoff". Lima News. pp. A1, A7. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  42. ↑ Grundy, Precious (29 November 2022). "Lima Airport Climbs to New Heights". LimaOhio.com. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  43. ↑ Myers Cook, Stacey (22 June 2021). "Lima Allen County Airport Authority Board Applying for Grant Dollars for Improvements". Your Hometown Stations. Retrieved 15 July 2026.
  44. ↑ "Allen County Reginal Airport Authority FBO Info & Fuel Prices at Lima Allen County (KAOH)". FlightAware. Retrieved 2024-01-16.
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