Columbia Owens Downtown Airport
Encyclopedia
Jim Hamilton - L.B. Owens Airport is a county-owned public-use airport
located two nautical miles (3.7 km) south of the central business district
of Columbia
, in Richland County
, South Carolina
, United States
. In 2008, the airport was renamed in honor of former airport manager Jim Hamilton. It was formerly known as Columbia Owens Downtown Airport.
prior to World War II
. It was named for Columbia Mayor Lawrence B. Owens, who was one of the most ardent supporters of a municipal airport. On April 24, 1930, the new municipal airport was dedicated. In celebration, an airshow with more than 15,000 people attending saw notable aviators like the President of the Curtiss Flying Service, Casey Jones, Bill Winston (the flying instructor of Charles Lindbergh
), and Elliot White Springs.
Eastern Air Transport began passenger and airmail service to Owens Field in 1932. Delta Air Lines
began its first scheduled services out of Columbia's new airport in 1934. Just prior to World War II
, some Air Corps light observation squadrons flew observation flights from Owens Field, until Columbia Army Air Base
opened in 1941. During the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
landed at Owens Field during a visit to Columbia.
Owens Field remained the commercial airport for Columbia until airline service was relocated to the larger Columbia Metropolitan Airport
near Cayce
in 1947. Since then Owens Downtown Airport has served the general aviation
community of Columbia and the midlands.
of 194 feet (59 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway
designated 13/31 with an asphalt
surface measuring 5,011 by 75 feet (1,527 x 23 m).
For the 12-month period ending November 19, 2009, the airport had 56,000 aircraft operations, an average of 153 per day: 92% general aviation
, 6% air taxi
, and 2% military
. At that time there were 126 aircraft based at this airport: 81% single-engine
, 15% multi-engine, 1% jet
and 3% helicopter
.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
located two nautical miles (3.7 km) south of the central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
of Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, in Richland County
Richland County, South Carolina
Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In 2008, the airport was renamed in honor of former airport manager Jim Hamilton. It was formerly known as Columbia Owens Downtown Airport.
History
Owens Field was the main municipal airport serving Columbia, South CarolinaColumbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was named for Columbia Mayor Lawrence B. Owens, who was one of the most ardent supporters of a municipal airport. On April 24, 1930, the new municipal airport was dedicated. In celebration, an airshow with more than 15,000 people attending saw notable aviators like the President of the Curtiss Flying Service, Casey Jones, Bill Winston (the flying instructor of Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
), and Elliot White Springs.
Eastern Air Transport began passenger and airmail service to Owens Field in 1932. Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines, Inc. is a major airline based in the United States and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The airline operates an extensive domestic and international network serving all continents except Antarctica. Delta and its subsidiaries operate over 4,000 flights every day...
began its first scheduled services out of Columbia's new airport in 1934. Just prior to World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, some Air Corps light observation squadrons flew observation flights from Owens Field, until Columbia Army Air Base
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport for Columbia, South Carolina. The airport lies five miles southwest of Columbia's central business district, in Lexington County.-Airlines and destinations:...
opened in 1941. During the war, President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
landed at Owens Field during a visit to Columbia.
Owens Field remained the commercial airport for Columbia until airline service was relocated to the larger Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Columbia Metropolitan Airport
Columbia Metropolitan Airport is the main airport for Columbia, South Carolina. The airport lies five miles southwest of Columbia's central business district, in Lexington County.-Airlines and destinations:...
near Cayce
Cayce, South Carolina
Cayce is a city in Lexington and Richland counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, along the Congaree River. The population was 12,150 at the 2000 census...
in 1947. Since then Owens Downtown Airport has served the general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
community of Columbia and the midlands.
Facilities and aircraft
Jim Hamilton - L.B. Owens Airport covers an area of 182 acres (73.7 ha) at an elevationElevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
of 194 feet (59 m) above mean sea level. It has one runway
Runway
According to ICAO a runway is a "defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and take-off of aircraft." Runways may be a man-made surface or a natural surface .- Orientation and dimensions :Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally one tenth...
designated 13/31 with an asphalt
Asphalt
Asphalt or , also known as bitumen, is a sticky, black and highly viscous liquid or semi-solid that is present in most crude petroleums and in some natural deposits, it is a substance classed as a pitch...
surface measuring 5,011 by 75 feet (1,527 x 23 m).
For the 12-month period ending November 19, 2009, the airport had 56,000 aircraft operations, an average of 153 per day: 92% general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
, 6% air taxi
Air taxi
An air taxi is an air charter passenger or cargo aircraft which operates on an on-demand basis.-Regulation:In the United States, air taxi and air charter operations are governed by Part 135 of the Federal Aviation Regulations , unlike the larger scheduled air carriers which are governed by more...
, and 2% military
Military aviation
Military aviation is the use of aircraft and other flying machines for the purposes of conducting or enabling warfare, including national airlift capacity to provide logistical supply to forces stationed in a theater or along a front. Air power includes the national means of conducting such...
. At that time there were 126 aircraft based at this airport: 81% single-engine
Aircraft engine
An aircraft engine is the component of the propulsion system for an aircraft that generates mechanical power. Aircraft engines are almost always either lightweight piston engines or gas turbines...
, 15% multi-engine, 1% jet
Jet aircraft
A jet aircraft is an aircraft propelled by jet engines. Jet aircraft generally fly much faster than propeller-powered aircraft and at higher altitudes – as high as . At these altitudes, jet engines achieve maximum efficiency over long distances. The engines in propeller-powered aircraft...
and 3% helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
.
External links
- Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport (CUB) information from SC Division of Aeronautics
- Eagle Aviation, the fixed base operatorFixed base operatorA Fixed-base operator or commonly abbreviated FBO is a term developed in the United States after the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926...
(FBO) - Aerial photo from USGS The National Map