Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport

History

South Carolina's first commercial airport was opened in 1927. Famed aviator Charles Lindbergh participated in the grand opening of the airport only months following his historic flight across the Atlantic. Passenger air service commenced that same year but ended in 1962 with the opening of the Greenville-Spartanburg Jetport, later renamed Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. In April 1957 Eastern scheduled six weekday departures, Southern had four and Delta had three.

During World War II the airport was a training facility for the United States Army Air Corp and a refueling stop for naval aviators.

An FAA operated air traffic control tower was operational at the airport but closed in 1981 during the PATCO controllers strike.

Runways and other facilities

The airport once had three intersecting runways with a parallel taxiway system that connected them to the aircraft parking apron. Runway 4/22 was 5,203 feet (1,586 m) long by 150 feet (46 m) wide, Runway 17/35 was 4,226 feet (1,288 m) long by 150 feet (46 m) wide, and runway 11/29 was 4,403 feet (1,342 m) long by 150 feet (46 m) wide. Today only runway 4/22 remains but was redesignated as runway 5/23 several years ago. Prevailing winds in the area generally favor the use of this runway. Only remnants of the other runways are visible today.

An instrument landing system (ILS) is available for use on runway 5. WAAS approaches are available to runway 5 and runway 23. Runway 5 also has high intensity runway edge lighting (HIRL), visual approach slope indicator lights (VASI), and a medium intensity approach lighting system (MALSR). Other navigational aids nearby are the Spartanburg Vortac (VOR) (7.2 miles northeast) and the Fairmont Non-directional beacon (NDB) (1.6 miles west).

The airport's 1936 terminal building, extensively removated and expanded in 2011, houses a fixed-base operator (FBO) operated by the City of Spartanburg. The airport also houses two flight schools, Pivotal Aviation and Aero II. Adjacent to the terminal building are several aircraft hangars.

The airport is home to the Spartanburg Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol and to the Spartanburg Pilot's Association

Expansion plans

A 25-million dollar extension of runway 5/23 began in late 2016. The extension project will add safety areas to both runway ends. The project also includes resurfacing the existing runway and upgrading airport navigation and lighting systems.

Other projects planned include construction of an aviation-themed playground at the airport. The playground will include a viewing platform and a pavilion with restrooms.

Economic Impact

The Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport contributes $15.4 million to the local economy. It is the 3rd busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina with almost 69,000 operations yearly. The airport creates 190 aviation-related jobs in the area, with a payroll of more than $5.2 million.