Cambridge Municipal Airport (Ohio)

The airport replaced an earlier field north of the city.^{[5][failed verification]}

Efforts to secure land for a new airport began as early as late October 1966.^[6]

The airport received a grant to resurface the runway in July 1985.^[7]

In 2002, the airport received a federal grant for runway improvements and perimeter fencing.^[8]

In 2013, a gas and oil development near the airport exploded, necessitating repairs at the airport. Updates include the replacement of two obstruction light poles and compliance issues essential for a runway extension. The rotating beacon was also replaced.^[9]

In 2020, the airport received a federal grant to purchase 2.77 acres (1.12 ha) of land in the flight path of the runway and conduct an obstruction study.^[10]

In 2022, the airport received $1.3 million from the Federal Aviation Administration to rebuild its ramp and rehabilitate a taxilane.^[11] The money funded the airport's first major renovation in 20 years and was aimed to prevent aircraft damage caused by excavation and fuel tank removals.^[12]

The airport covers 75 acres (30 ha) at an elevation of 799 feet (244 m). Its single runway, 4/22, is 4,298 by 75 feet (1,310 x 23 m) asphalt.^[1][2]

For the 12-month period ending June 3, 2022 the airport had 1,352 aircraft operations, average 26 per week: 62% general aviation, 35% air taxi, and 3% military. For the same time period, 14 aircraft were based at the airport: 11 single-aisle airplanes, 2 ultralights, and 1 helicopter.^[2][13] These are down from 6,040 and 22 based aircraft in 2010.^[1]

The airport has a fixed-base operator that sells fuel, both avgas and jet fuel, and offers amenities such as aircraft hangars, courtesy cars, internet, conference rooms, a crew lounge, snooze rooms, and more.^[14]

An airplane is mounted on a pedestal in front of the airport as a memorial to Major James "Bill" Reed, a local pilot who was killed in the Vietnam War.^[15]

• On May 1, 2004, an experimental VM-1 Esqual was substantially damaged during an attempted takeoff from Cambridge Municipal Airport. The pilot reported that when he set the throttle to takeoff power, the airplane "started pulling abruptly to the left." The pilot applied "strong right rudder" in an effort to counteract the turning, but the aircraft did not respond. The airplane then veered off of runway, struck runway lights, and went into a creek. A post-accident investigation found that the aircraft's left wheel brake was dragging due to a lack of clearance between the brake pad and the brake rotor. The lack of clearance was attributable to the design of the brakes and their adaptation from a motorcycle to an airplane. The probable cause of the accident was found to be the pilot's failure to maintain directional control, with the aircraft's inadequate brake system as a contributing factor.^[16]
• On January 5, 2011, a Pegasus 503 Sport aircraft was returning from a local solo flight when the aircraft impacted trees and terrain about 200 feet short of the runway. The student solo pilot reported that the approach was normal, but his power input did not successfully recover altitude. The pilot said that the aircraft may have encountered a downdraft on short final. The probable cause of the accident was found to be the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees and terrain during the landing approach.^[17][18]
• On April 11, 2015, an Aeronca 7AC Champion was damaged during taxi at the Cambridge Municipal Airport. The pilot reported that he had landed and was beginning to taxi when a gust of wind lifted the left wing. He added engine power and attempted to correct; however, he was unable to maintain control. The airplane subsequently departed the runway pavement, encountered a ditch, and overturned. The probable cause of the accident was found to be the pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while encountering a wind gust after landing.^[19]