Although home to a world-famous pilot shop and the University of Cincinnati’s aviation school, many students and teachers at Loveland High School are unaware that Clermont County has an airport. Even among those who have heard of it, very few have visited the airport which commenced operations in the late 1960s.
Located several miles away from downtown Batavia, Clermont County Airport (also known as Sporty’s Airport, after the aviation apparel company based there) features a single, 3,500-foot runway, a plethora of both hangar space and outdoor aircraft parking, and a large building containing everything from college classrooms to a massive warehouse. The warehouse belongs to Sporty’s, a name infamous in the general aviation realm with aviation products and novelties.
According to the company, Sporty’s was founded in Cincinnati in 1961 and moved to Clermont County Airport in 1971 to increase its footprint. Sporty’s Pilot Shop is well-known globally for its early innovation in radio technology and its more contemporary extensive product catalogs, which are mailed regularly. In 1972, the company acquired a strikingly red Aztec, a two-engine plane manufactured by Piper. This aircraft still flies regularly and can be seen parked at Clermont County Airport more often than not.
Sporty’s also offers flight training at Clermont County Airport, which they display prominently in pictures of former students working for commercial airlines such as Delta, United, and Envoy Air. Similarly located in Batavia, the University of Cincinnati Clermont campus has a branch at Clermont County Airport that offers aviation technology courses. Also home to a branch of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), aviation enthusiasts have no shortage of groups and clubs.
Clermont County Airport has three good locations in terms of planespotting (quite literally, watching planes). The first is a dedicated planespotting location accessible off of Taylor Road complete with several benches and playground equipment for younger kids, offering a great view of the runway 04 threshold. The second is located inside the main building, which provides a great view of nearly the entire runway, although it is further away from the runway than the other two spots. The third spot is found near a number of benches located next to the main parking lot, which is very close to the ramp (aircraft parking area).
Clermont County Airport does not have a landing fee, making it rather affordable to operate from. James Young (10) tells me that his neighbor invited him to the airport and he had a great experience flying on their Piper Cub, a light aircraft that is intended to operate at essentially any airport. James says that the airport was cool and that he’d definitely recommend going there. Dean Hamilton (10) says that he has never been to Clermont County Airport, but that he wants to visit at some point.
Between planespotting, learning to fly, and talking to pilots from all over the country, Clermont County Airport is an excellent destination for Loveland residents to experience the history, complexities, and wide world of aviation.
Comments