Willard Municipal Airport
Willard Airport | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Public | ||||||||||
| Owner | City of Willard | ||||||||||
| Location | Willard, Ohio | ||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (-5) | ||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (-4) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 967 ft (295 m) | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 41°02′19″N 082°43′28″W / 41.03861°N 82.72444°W | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  8G1 Location of airport in Ohio  8G1 8G1 (the United States) | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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| Statistics (2021) | |||||||||||
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| Sources: Federal Aviation Administration[1], AirNav[2], SkyVector[3] | |||||||||||
Willard Airport (FAA LID: 8G1) is a public use airport located 1 nautical mile south of Willard, Ohio.[1]
History
The airport, owned by Lee Wilcox and Kenneth Heiser began operations in August 1944 with a class of 50 student pilots.[4] Runway lighting was added in November 1947.[5] Construction of a prefabricated hangar was announced in August 1948.[6] A flying cub was established at the airport in June 1951.[7]
The airport was purchased by Art Heck, the owner of a local dry cleaners, in 1958.[8]
The city council stated Willard did not want to financially support a proposed Huron County Airport in 1965 due to the existence of the airport. However, at the same time, the airport owner offered to donate the land to the county if the county airport would be located there.[9]
The airport was struck by a tornado on 10 May 1973, destroying a hangar and damaging several aircraft.[10]
Eventually, R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company stated that it would expand its factory in the city if improvements were made to the airport. Heck donated the airport to the city which then applied for and received a grant from the state to lengthen the runway to 4,025 feet (1,227 m) in January 1978. The extension was dedicated on 31 October 1980.[11][8] However, a subsequent request for a federal grant for preparatory work to expand the airport was turned down March 1984 due to a lack of funds.[12] When the city applied for the grant the following year, the federal government again refused to provide funding, although this time it was due to a requirement for the airport to be relocated.[13][14]
Facilities and aircraft
Facilities
Willard Airport has one runway, designated 10/28 with an asphalt surface measuring 4,028 by 65 feet (1,228 x 20 m).[1]
The airport does not have a fixed-base operator. Parking includes tie-downs for visiting aircraft. Fuel service offers 100LL.[1]
Aircraft
Based on the 12-month period ending 28 July 2021, the airport had 515 aircraft operations, an average of 43 per month. This includes 97% general aviation, and 3% military.[2][3]
For the same time period, no aircraft were based on the field.[2]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 "FAA Airport Form 5010 for 8G1" (PDF). FAA. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 14 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Willard Airport". SkyVector. Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Group Enrolls". Mansfield News-Journal. 9 August 1944. p. 7. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Night Lights Installed at Airport in Willard". Mansfield News-Journal. 4 November 1947. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Willard Airport Expands". Mansfield News-Journal. 5 August 1948. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Flying Club Organized at Willard". Mansfield News-Journal. 4 June 1951. p. 6. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- 1 2 "Area Airport Managers List Prospects for Bright Future". News Journal. 18 October 1981. p. 11-A. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Willard Undecided: Who Wants What?". Sandusky Register. 21 September 1965. p. 8. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Willard Airport is Grounded by Tornado". Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum. 12 May 1973. p. 3. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Simon, Ron (1 November 1980). "Rhodes Flies in to Help Boost Willard Airport". News Journal. p. 3. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Willard's Bid for Airport Expansion Rejected". News Journal. 7 March 1984. p. 9-A. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "FAA Wants Willard to Move Airport, Councilman Reports". News Journal. 17 September 1985. p. 10-A. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Carr, Julie (25 May 1986). "Small Airports Gateways that Wait". News Journal. pp. 1-A, 10-A. Retrieved 24 May 2026.