Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Airport in Downtown Cleveland, United States |
{{Short description|Airport in Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States}} |
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{{For|the airport that serves New Orleans|Lakefront Airport}} |
{{For|the airport that serves New Orleans|Lakefront Airport}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2024}} |
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{{Infobox airport |
{{Infobox airport |
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| name = Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport |
| name = Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport |
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| owner = City of Cleveland |
| owner = City of Cleveland |
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| operator = Department of Port Control |
| operator = Department of Port Control |
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| city-served = [[Cleveland]] |
| city-served = [[Greater Cleveland]] |
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| location = [[Downtown Cleveland]], Ohio, U.S. |
| location = [[Downtown Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], [[United States|U.S.]] |
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| elevation-f = 583 |
| elevation-f = 583 |
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| elevation-m = 178 |
| elevation-m = 178 |
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| website = {{URL|burkeairport.com}} |
| website = {{URL|www.burkeairport.com}} |
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| mapframe = yes |
| mapframe = yes |
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| r1-number = 6L/24R |
| r1-number = 6L/24R |
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| r1-length-f = 6,198 |
| r1-length-f = 6,198 |
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| r1-length-m = 1,889 |
| r1-length-m = 1,889 |
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| r1-surface = Asphalt |
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt concrete|Asphalt]] |
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| r2-number = 6R/24L |
| r2-number = 6R/24L |
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| r2-length-f = 5,197 |
| r2-length-f = 5,197 |
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| stat2-header = Based aircraft |
| stat2-header = Based aircraft |
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| stat2-data = 31 |
| stat2-data = 31 |
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| footnotes = Sources: [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]<ref name=FAA>{{FAA-airport|ID=BKL|use=PU|own=PU|site=17757.*A}}, effective 2007 |
| footnotes = Sources: [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]<ref name=FAA>{{FAA-airport|ID=BKL|use=PU|own=PU|site=17757.*A}}, effective July 5, 2007</ref> & airport website<ref name=Airport>[http://www.clevelandairport.com/site/470/default.aspx Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051210050510/http://www.clevelandairport.com/site/470/default.aspx |date=December 10, 2005 }} (official site)</ref> |
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| timezone = [[ |
| timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]] |
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| utc = |
| utc = [[UTC−05:00]] |
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| summer = |
| summer = EDT |
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| utcs = |
| utcs = [[UTC−04:00]] |
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}} |
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'''Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport''' {{ |
'''Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport''' {{airport codes|BKL|KBKL|BKL}} is a city-owned [[airport]] on the shore of [[Lake Erie]], in the northeast part of [[downtown Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], [[United States]].<ref name=FAA /> It is classified as a [[general aviation]] airport and is an FAA designated reliever to [[Cleveland Hopkins International Airport]] (CLE), which is [[Greater Cleveland]]'s primary airport. In 2018, based on FAA data, Burke Lakefront was the seventh busiest airport in the state of Ohio. It is named after former Cleveland mayor and U.S. senator [[Thomas A. Burke]]. |
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Cleveland Burke Lakefront is one of three airports serving the Cleveland area. The other two are [[Cleveland Hopkins International Airport]] and [[Akron–Canton Airport |
Cleveland Burke Lakefront is one of three airports serving the Cleveland area. The other two are [[Cleveland Hopkins International Airport]] and [[Akron–Canton Airport]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Visiting Cleveland|url=https://www.centerforcleveland.org/visiting-cleveland|access-date=January 3, 2021|website=The Center for Cleveland|language=en-US}}</ref> The airport is owned by the [[Cleveland|city of Cleveland]], which also operates Hopkins. The airport is operated by the city’s Department of Port Control. |
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The airport's total operations have decreased over the past two decades from 100,321 in 2000 to 40,185 in 2019. Between 2018 and 2019, operations at Burke increased by 16.5% from the 34,497 operations in 2018. Additionally, the airport is frequently used by professional sports team charter flights due to its proximity to [[FirstEnergy Stadium]], [[Progressive Field]], and [[Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse]]. The airport also serves as the operational hub for Cleveland Clinic's fleet of [[Air medical services|air ambulances]]. |
The airport's total operations have decreased over the past two decades from 100,321 in 2000 to 40,185 in 2019. Between 2018 and 2019, operations at Burke increased by 16.5% from the 34,497 operations in 2018. Additionally, the airport is frequently used by professional sports team charter flights due to its proximity to [[FirstEnergy Stadium]], [[Progressive Field]], and [[Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse]]. The airport also serves as the operational hub for Cleveland Clinic's fleet of [[Air medical services|air ambulances]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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The airport is located on what was once a dumping ground for the city's refuse.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Oergel |first=Ryan |title=Burke Lakefront Airport - The Landfill Airport |url=https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/889 |access-date= |
The airport is located on what was once a dumping ground for the city's refuse.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Oergel |first=Ryan |title=Burke Lakefront Airport - The Landfill Airport |url=https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/889 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=Cleveland Historical |language=en-US}}</ref> Eventual plans for the airport were based on a 1923 [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] manual on how to construct an airport.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Oergel |first=Ryan |title=Burke Lakefront Airport - The Landfill Airport |url=https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/889 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Cleveland Historical |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Originally envisioned in 1927 as a part of a plan for Cleveland's lakefront, a lakefront airport to include "landing places for land and amphibious planes" was included as part of Cleveland's "Official Lakefront Development Plan" in 1946 announced by then City Manager [[William R. Hopkins]] (namesake of Cleveland's other, primary airport).<ref name=":0" /> |
Originally envisioned in 1927 as a part of a plan for Cleveland's lakefront, a lakefront airport to include "landing places for land and amphibious planes" was included as part of Cleveland's "Official Lakefront Development Plan" in 1946 announced by then City Manager [[William R. Hopkins]] (namesake of Cleveland's other, primary airport).<ref name=":0" /> |
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Construction on a dike retaining wall in Lake Erie began in the early 1940s, and by the second half of the decade, the land was strong enough to support a temporary runway.<ref name=":1" /> |
Construction on a dike retaining wall in Lake Erie began in the early 1940s, and by the second half of the decade, the land was strong enough to support a temporary runway.<ref name=":1" /> |
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Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (named for then Cleveland mayor [[Thomas A. Burke]]) opened in 1947<ref>{{cite news |last1=Glaser |first1=Susan |title=Should Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport be closed? Local leaders are starting to discuss the possibility |url=https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2022/03/should-clevelands-burke-lakefront-airport-be-closed-local-leaders-are-starting-to-discuss-the-possibility.html |access-date= |
Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (named for then Cleveland mayor [[Thomas A. Burke]]) opened in 1947<ref>{{cite news |last1=Glaser |first1=Susan |title=Should Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport be closed? Local leaders are starting to discuss the possibility |url=https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2022/03/should-clevelands-burke-lakefront-airport-be-closed-local-leaders-are-starting-to-discuss-the-possibility.html |access-date=March 24, 2022 |work=cleveland |date=March 23, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> as the United States' first downtown airport and as its first municipally owned-and-operated airport. Designed to serve as a supplemental airfield for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, it originally featured a 2,000-foot dirt temporary runway and a small operations facility and hangar. The airport was first maintained by the [[United States Army Corps of Engineers|Army Corps of Engineers]], which, over time, began deposition 700,000 cubic yards on all sides of this runway to prepare for a permanent presence.<ref name=":0" /> |
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The airport's draw centered on its proximity to downtown Cleveland, making it easier for tourists and other travelers to access the city.<ref name=":1" /> |
The airport's draw centered on its proximity to downtown Cleveland, making it easier for tourists and other travelers to access the city.<ref name=":1" /> |
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==Airlines and destinations== |
==Airlines and destinations== |
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From 2015 to 2021, Ultimate Air served the airport with non-stop service to Cincinnati Lunken. Their operations ended as a result of declining ridership related to COVID-19. However, their return to BKL remains a possibility <ref>{{Cite web|title=Ultimate Air Shuttle pulling out of Burke Lakefront, ending Cleveland-to-Cincinnati flights – for now|date= |
From 2015 to 2021, Ultimate Air served the airport with non-stop service to Cincinnati Lunken. Their operations ended as a result of declining ridership related to COVID-19. However, their return to BKL remains a possibility <ref>{{Cite web|title=Ultimate Air Shuttle pulling out of Burke Lakefront, ending Cleveland-to-Cincinnati flights – for now|date=December 7, 2021 |url=https://www.cleveland.com/business/2021/12/ultimate-air-shuttle-pulling-out-of-burke-lakefront-ending-cleveland-to-cincinnati-flights-for-now.html|language=en-US}}</ref> In previous years, the airline Destination One briefly provided scheduled [[Charter airline|charter]] service between BKL and airports near the downtowns of [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Cincinnati, Ohio|Cincinnati]], Milwaukee, and [[Hilton Head Airport|Hilton Head, SC]]. However, this service was short-lived. [[Wright Air Lines]] was based at BKL in the 1970s and 1980s, before declaring bankruptcy. From 1957 to 1970 TAG Airlines operated flying mainly to Detroit City Airport, but shut down following a fatal crash. In 1979, [[Midway Airlines (1976–1991)|Midway Airlines]] operated service from BKL to MDW in Chicago, before moving their operations to Hopkins. Another airline that served BKL was Cleveland's Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF) based [[Galaxy Airlines (United States)|Galaxy Airlines]] in 1969 using DC-3 aircraft. Galaxy had a total of 6 daily departures from BKL using a routing of CGF-BKL-CMH (Columbus)-LUK (Cincinnati Lunken Airport). The other routing was CGF-BKL-DAY (Dayton) with flights returning on the same routing. The flights between CGF & BKL were 10 minutes long gate to gate.<ref>Galaxy Airlines timetable dated January 1, 1969</ref> |
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===Cargo=== |
===Cargo=== |
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{{Airport destination list |
{{Airport destination list |
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| [[AirNet Express]] | [[Rickenbacker International Airport|Columbus–Rickenbacker]] |
| [[AirNet Express]] | [[Rickenbacker International Airport|Columbus–Rickenbacker]] |
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| [[Central Air Southwest]]| [[Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport|Dayton]], [[Butler County Regional Airport|Hamilton]], [[Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport|Kalamazoo]], [[Willow Run Airport|Ypsilanti]] |
| [[Central Air Southwest]]| [[Dayton-Wright Brothers Airport|Dayton]], [[Butler County Regional Airport|Hamilton (OH)]], [[Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport|Kalamazoo]], [[Willow Run Airport|Ypsilanti]] |
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==Events== |
==Events== |
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The airport was the site of the annual [[Grand Prix of Cleveland]], last held in 2007, |
The airport was the site of the annual [[Grand Prix of Cleveland]], last held in 2007, an [[IndyCar]] race which required the airport to be briefly shut down. Burke Lakefront Airport was the only airport in the country to host such a major [[auto racing|car race]] which required careful maintenance of the runways in order to keep them safe for cars at high speeds. |
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Every [[Labor Day]] weekend, the airport hosts the annual [[Cleveland National Air Show]] attended by 60,000 to 100,000 visitors.<ref name="Cleveland National Airshow">{{cite web|title=Marketing::Cleveland National Air Show|url=http://www.clevelandairshow.com/marketing/marketing.html|access-date= |
Every [[Labor Day]] weekend, the airport hosts the annual [[Cleveland National Air Show]] attended by 60,000 to 100,000 visitors.<ref name="Cleveland National Airshow">{{cite web|title=Marketing::Cleveland National Air Show|url=http://www.clevelandairshow.com/marketing/marketing.html|access-date= December 19, 2012|date= January 13, 2013}}</ref> |
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On the evening of Thursday, October 25, 2012, president [[Barack Obama]] held a rally on the ramp in front of [[Air Force One]] for the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]]. He was greeted by a crowd of over 12,000, according to various Cleveland news outlets.<ref name="Obama lands">{{cite web|last=Coleman|first=Kathy|title=President Obama's airplane lands at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio|url=http://www.zimbio.com/Barack+Obama/articles/W0pLCANBKSU/President+Obama+airplane+lands+Burke+Lakefront|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 27, 2012}}</ref><ref name="President's remarks">{{cite web|last=Wendel|first=Kim|title=President's remarks at Burke Lakefront|url=http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/266640/45/Cleveland-Presidents-remarks-at-Burke-Lakefront-Airport|publisher=[[WKYC]]|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 25, 2012}}</ref> |
On the evening of Thursday, October 25, 2012, president [[Barack Obama]] held a rally on the ramp in front of [[Air Force One]] for the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]]. He was greeted by a crowd of over 12,000, according to various Cleveland news outlets.<ref name="Obama lands">{{cite web|last=Coleman|first=Kathy|title=President Obama's airplane lands at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio|url=http://www.zimbio.com/Barack+Obama/articles/W0pLCANBKSU/President+Obama+airplane+lands+Burke+Lakefront|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 27, 2012}}</ref><ref name="President's remarks">{{cite web|last=Wendel|first=Kim|title=President's remarks at Burke Lakefront|url=http://www.wkyc.com/news/article/266640/45/Cleveland-Presidents-remarks-at-Burke-Lakefront-Airport|publisher=[[WKYC]]|access-date=October 30, 2012|date=October 25, 2012}}</ref> |
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There are three [[Flight School|flight schools]] located on the grounds of Burke Lakefront. These schools are, T & G Flying Club, Inc.;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tandgflying.com/|title=Cleveland's Finest in Flight|website=T&G Flying Club}}</ref> Zone Aviation;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoneaviation.com/|title=Flight Training & Aircraft Charters in Ohio - Zone Aviation|website=zoneaviation.com}}</ref> and Precision Helicopters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.precisionhelicopter.com/|title=Precision Helicopters - Rental and Training|website=www.precisionhelicopter.com}}</ref> |
There are three [[Flight School|flight schools]] located on the grounds of Burke Lakefront. These schools are, T & G Flying Club, Inc.;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tandgflying.com/|title=Cleveland's Finest in Flight|website=T&G Flying Club}}</ref> Zone Aviation;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoneaviation.com/|title=Flight Training & Aircraft Charters in Ohio - Zone Aviation|website=zoneaviation.com}}</ref> and Precision Helicopters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.precisionhelicopter.com/|title=Precision Helicopters - Rental and Training|website=www.precisionhelicopter.com}}</ref> |
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Zone Aviation offers FAA approved full motion flight simulation with [[Redbird Flight Simulations]] FMX AATD simulator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoneaviation.com/training/redbird-fmx-aatd-simulator/|title=Redbird FMX AATD Simulator - Zone Aviation|website=zoneaviation.com|access-date=2018 |
Zone Aviation offers FAA approved full motion flight simulation with [[Redbird Flight Simulations]] FMX AATD simulator.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoneaviation.com/training/redbird-fmx-aatd-simulator/|title=Redbird FMX AATD Simulator - Zone Aviation|website=zoneaviation.com|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319213943/http://zoneaviation.com/training/redbird-fmx-aatd-simulator/|archive-date=March 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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The [[International Women's Air & Space Museum]] is located throughout the terminal at BKL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iwasm.org/wp-blog/|title=International Women Air & Space Museum|website=iwasm.org}}</ref> |
The [[International Women's Air & Space Museum]] is located throughout the terminal at BKL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iwasm.org/wp-blog/|title=International Women Air & Space Museum|website=iwasm.org}}</ref> |
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For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2019, 17 aircraft are based at the airport: 9 single-engine [[Airplane|airplanes]], 5 [[Helicopter|helicopters]], and 3 [[Jet aircraft|jet airplanes]].<ref name=FAA /><ref name=":2" /> |
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2019, 17 aircraft are based at the airport: 9 single-engine [[Airplane|airplanes]], 5 [[Helicopter|helicopters]], and 3 [[Jet aircraft|jet airplanes]].<ref name=FAA /><ref name=":2" /> |
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General Aviation aircraft rentals can be made to qualifying pilots at T&G Flying Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tandgflying.com/rental-rates.html|title=Rental Rates|website=T&G Flying Club}}</ref> or Zone Aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoneaviation.com/rental/rental-rates/|title=Rental Rates - Zone Aviation|website=zoneaviation.com|access-date= |
General Aviation aircraft rentals can be made to qualifying pilots at T&G Flying Club<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tandgflying.com/rental-rates.html|title=Rental Rates|website=T&G Flying Club}}</ref> or Zone Aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://zoneaviation.com/rental/rental-rates/|title=Rental Rates - Zone Aviation|website=zoneaviation.com|access-date=March 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319215308/http://zoneaviation.com/rental/rental-rates/|archive-date=March 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> Flights can be chartered through a number of companies operating out of the airport.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.burkeairport.com/services/charters |title=Charters | Burke Lakefront Airport |access-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320105431/http://www.burkeairport.com/services/charters |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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===Airspace=== |
===Airspace=== |
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Since the city owned Burke-Lakefront was designed for significantly higher usage and future need, some city government agencies and private businesses unrelated to aviation currently occupy unused terminal space. The Cleveland Division of Police hit-skip unit, employee assistance unit, and aviation unit are currently located in Terminal 3. Weather Incorporated and the studio for KAZ Radio Television Network are located in the main terminal. |
Since the city owned Burke-Lakefront was designed for significantly higher usage and future need, some city government agencies and private businesses unrelated to aviation currently occupy unused terminal space. The Cleveland Division of Police hit-skip unit, employee assistance unit, and aviation unit are currently located in Terminal 3. Weather Incorporated and the studio for KAZ Radio Television Network are located in the main terminal. |
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A decommissioned freighter Kearsarge (Now called Barge Number 225) has been converted to office space and is permanently owned by and docked at the airport. Lean Dog Software and Arras Keathly Advertising are currently tenants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.no225.com/index.html |title=Cleveland'S Premier Event Venue On The Lake |publisher=No225.com |access-date= |
A decommissioned freighter Kearsarge (Now called Barge Number 225) has been converted to office space and is permanently owned by and docked at the airport. Lean Dog Software and Arras Keathly Advertising are currently tenants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.no225.com/index.html |title=Cleveland'S Premier Event Venue On The Lake |publisher=No225.com |access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref> Outdoor event space is available for rent. |
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==Controversy== |
==Controversy== |
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Dwindling operations and increasing interest in waterfront redevelopment have led to calls for the city to consider closing Burke Lakefront Airport.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Litt |first1=Steven |title=Should Burke Lakefront Airport close? Coalition keeps important question alive – Steven Litt |url=https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/08/should-burke-lakefront-airport-close-coalition-keeps-important-question-alive-steven-litt.html |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=Cleveland.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGraw |first1=Daniel |title=Lies, Damn Lies and the 450 Acres of Prime Real Estate That is Burke Lakefront Airport |url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/lies-damn-lies-and-the-450-acres-of-prime-lakefront-real-estate-that-is-burke-lakefront-airport/Content?oid=16931820 |access-date=5 December 2019 |website=Clevescene.com}}</ref> |
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Dwindling operations and increasing interest in waterfront redevelopment have led to calls for the city to consider closing Burke Lakefront Airport.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Litt |first1=Steven |title=Should Burke Lakefront Airport close? Coalition keeps important question alive – Steven Litt |url=https://www.cleveland.com/metro/2019/08/should-burke-lakefront-airport-close-coalition-keeps-important-question-alive-steven-litt.html |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Cleveland.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McGraw |first1=Daniel |title=Lies, Damn Lies and the 450 Acres of Prime Real Estate That is Burke Lakefront Airport |url=https://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/lies-damn-lies-and-the-450-acres-of-prime-lakefront-real-estate-that-is-burke-lakefront-airport/Content?oid=16931820 |access-date=December 5, 2019 |website=Clevescene.com}}</ref> |
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In 2023, Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb made good on a promise to explore other ways to use the land. An outside firm was hired to exercise a study on the airport.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oprea |first=Mark |title=Cleveland Conducting Second Study to Gauge Future of Burke Lakefront Airport |url=https://www.clevescene.com/news/cleveland-conducting-second-study-to-gauge-future-of-burke-lakefront-airport-41859482 |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=Cleveland Scene |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2023 |title=Mike Polk Jr. has some thoughts on what Cleveland could do with the Burke Lakefront Airport property |url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/life/people/mike-polk-jr/mike-polk-jr-some-thoughts-cleveland-burke-lakefront-airport-property/95-d501c245-4391-4f62-85f7-150d05b59dac |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=wkyc.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Epstein |first=Curt |title=Cleveland Commissions Studies To Explore Closing Burke Lakefront Airport {{!}} AIN |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2023-01-17/cleveland-explores-shuttering-burke-lakefront-airport |access-date=October 16, 2023 |website=Aviation International News}}</ref> |
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⚫ | * September 8, 1981, the commander of the [[United States Air Force Thunderbirds|Thunderbirds]], Lt. Col. David Smith, was taking off from Burke Lakefront Airport in his [[T-38 Talon]] when it ingested several seagulls, stalling the engines. Smith and his crew chief ejected from the jet, but Smith was killed when his chute failed to open.<ref>{{cite web|url= |
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⚫ | * September 27, 1986, a runway was closed after debris from a [[Balloonfest '86|mass balloon release]] by the charity [[United Way of America|United Way Services of Cleveland]] fell on the airport.<ref name="Kroll">{{cite web |url=http://www.cleveland.com/remembers/index.ssf/2011/08/balloonfest_1986_the_spectacle.html |title=Balloonfest 1986, the spectacle that became a debacle |last=Kroll |first=John |date= |
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⚫ | * In early 2008, a small twin-engined aircraft crashed into Lake Erie shortly after takeoff. The 68-year-old pilot was rumored{{vague|date=February 2024}} to have had a heart attack as he made a turn to Niagara Falls.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/443/188662/ |title= |
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* In September 2009, a [[TS-11 Iskra]] practicing for the air show made a gear up landing. The pilot was unharmed and the aircraft received only light damage to the cowling and left wing. The plane remains on the ground as of July 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wkyc.com/error/404|title=404 Page - WKYC.com|website=WKYC}}</ref> |
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⚫ | *On December 29, 2016, a [[Cessna CitationJet/M2#Model 525C|Cessna 525C CJ4]], registered N614SB, disappeared shortly after takeoff from Burke Lakefront Airport and is believed to have crashed into Lake Erie. A Coast Guard search ensued after air traffic control tower lost contact with the aircraft around 23:00 EST (04:00 UTC) that evening. The jet had six occupants on board at the time of the incident. Days after its disappearance, investigators reported debris washing ashore, and luggage found in the lake was confirmed to have been from the missing plane. Large pieces of the aircraft were finally recovered around January |
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⚫ | *On February 5, 2018, a Beechcraft Beechjet [[Beechcraft Beechjet|BE-40]], registered N570TM, [[Runway excursion|slid off the end of the runway]] into the [[Engineered materials arrestor system]], likely due to [[Ice|icy]] conditions. Investigation by the NTSB is pending. Four passengers were on board, but there were no injuries reported.<ref>{{cite |
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⚫ | * September 8, 1981, the commander of the [[United States Air Force Thunderbirds|Thunderbirds]], Lt. Col. David Smith, was taking off from Burke Lakefront Airport in his [[T-38 Talon]] when it ingested several seagulls, stalling the engines. Smith and his crew chief ejected from the jet, but Smith was killed when his chute failed to open.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.check-six.com/Crash_Sites/Thunderbirds-Diamond_Crash.htm |title=The Thunderbirds' "Diamond Crash" |website=Check-Six.com |date=July 1, 2015}}</ref> |
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⚫ | * September 27, 1986, a runway was closed after debris from a [[Balloonfest '86|mass balloon release]] by the charity [[United Way of America|United Way Services of Cleveland]] fell on the airport.<ref name="Kroll">{{cite web |url=http://www.cleveland.com/remembers/index.ssf/2011/08/balloonfest_1986_the_spectacle.html |title=Balloonfest 1986, the spectacle that became a debacle |last=Kroll |first=John |date=August 15, 2011 |work=[[The Plain Dealer]] |access-date=May 11, 2014}}</ref> |
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⚫ | * In early 2008, a small twin-engined aircraft crashed into Lake Erie shortly after takeoff. The 68-year-old pilot was rumored{{vague|date=February 2024}} to have had a heart attack as he made a turn to Niagara Falls.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/443/188662/ |title=Coast Guard Responds To Plane Crash Near Burke Lakefront |publisher=[[United States Coast Guard]] |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=February 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217190917/http://www.piersystem.com/go/doc/443/188662/ |archive-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref> |
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* In September 2009, a [[TS-11 Iskra]] scheduled to appear at the air show made a gear up landing. The pilot was unharmed and the aircraft received only light damage to the cowling and left wing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Air show plane makes crash landing at Burke Lakefront Airport |url=http://www.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=121084 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |work=[[WKYC]] |date=September 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209-142009/http://www.wkyc.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=121084 |archive-date=February 9, 2013}}</ref> The plane remains on the ground as of July 2014.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} |
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⚫ | *On December 29, 2016, a [[Cessna CitationJet/M2#Model 525C|Cessna 525C CJ4]], registered N614SB, disappeared shortly after takeoff from Burke Lakefront Airport and is believed to have crashed into Lake Erie. A Coast Guard search ensued after air traffic control tower lost contact with the aircraft around 23:00 EST (04:00 UTC) that evening. The jet had six occupants on board at the time of the incident. Days after its disappearance, investigators reported debris washing ashore, and luggage found in the lake was confirmed to have been from the missing plane. Large pieces of the aircraft were finally recovered around January 10, 2017.<ref>{{cite news |title=Search and recovery efforts from December 2016 plane crash looked for fitbits |url=https://www.cleveland19.com/story/36854380/search-and-recovery-efforts-from-december-2016-plane-crash-looked-for-fitbits/ |access-date=September 25, 2024 |work=[[WOIO]] |date=November 16, 2017 |language=en}}</ref> |
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⚫ | *On February 5, 2018, a Beechcraft Beechjet [[Beechcraft Beechjet|BE-40]], registered N570TM, [[Runway excursion|slid off the end of the runway]] into the [[Engineered materials arrestor system]], likely due to [[Ice|icy]] conditions. Investigation by the NTSB is pending. Four passengers were on board, but there were no injuries reported.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Loreno |first1=Darcie |url=https://fox8.com/news/plane-slides-off-runway-at-burke-lakefront-airport-sunday-no-one-injured/ |title=Plane slides off runway at Burke Lakefront Airport Sunday, no one injured |access-date=September 25, 2024 |work=[[WJW (TV)]] |date=February 5, 2018}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Latest revision as of 15:56, 3 November 2024
Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport | |||||||||||||||
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Summary | |||||||||||||||
Airport type | Public | ||||||||||||||
Owner | City of Cleveland | ||||||||||||||
Operator | Department of Port Control | ||||||||||||||
Serves | Greater Cleveland | ||||||||||||||
Location | Downtown Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
Time zone | EST (UTC−05:00) | ||||||||||||||
• Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC−04:00) | ||||||||||||||
Elevation AMSL | 583 ft / 178 m | ||||||||||||||
Coordinates | 41°31′03″N 081°41′00″W / 41.51750°N 81.68333°W | ||||||||||||||
Website | www | ||||||||||||||
Map | |||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Statistics (2011) | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (IATA: BKL, ICAO: KBKL, FAA LID: BKL) is a city-owned airport on the shore of Lake Erie, in the northeast part of downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States.[1] It is classified as a general aviation airport and is an FAA designated reliever to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE), which is Greater Cleveland's primary airport. In 2018, based on FAA data, Burke Lakefront was the seventh busiest airport in the state of Ohio. It is named after former Cleveland mayor and U.S. senator Thomas A. Burke.
Cleveland Burke Lakefront is one of three airports serving the Cleveland area. The other two are Cleveland Hopkins International Airport and Akron–Canton Airport.[3] The airport is owned by the city of Cleveland, which also operates Hopkins. The airport is operated by the city’s Department of Port Control.
The airport's total operations have decreased over the past two decades from 100,321 in 2000 to 40,185 in 2019. Between 2018 and 2019, operations at Burke increased by 16.5% from the 34,497 operations in 2018. Additionally, the airport is frequently used by professional sports team charter flights due to its proximity to FirstEnergy Stadium, Progressive Field, and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The airport also serves as the operational hub for Cleveland Clinic's fleet of air ambulances.
History
[edit]The airport is located on what was once a dumping ground for the city's refuse.[4] Eventual plans for the airport were based on a 1923 U.S. Army manual on how to construct an airport.[5]
Originally envisioned in 1927 as a part of a plan for Cleveland's lakefront, a lakefront airport to include "landing places for land and amphibious planes" was included as part of Cleveland's "Official Lakefront Development Plan" in 1946 announced by then City Manager William R. Hopkins (namesake of Cleveland's other, primary airport).[5]
Construction on a dike retaining wall in Lake Erie began in the early 1940s, and by the second half of the decade, the land was strong enough to support a temporary runway.[4]
Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport (named for then Cleveland mayor Thomas A. Burke) opened in 1947[6] as the United States' first downtown airport and as its first municipally owned-and-operated airport. Designed to serve as a supplemental airfield for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, it originally featured a 2,000-foot dirt temporary runway and a small operations facility and hangar. The airport was first maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers, which, over time, began deposition 700,000 cubic yards on all sides of this runway to prepare for a permanent presence.[5]
The airport's draw centered on its proximity to downtown Cleveland, making it easier for tourists and other travelers to access the city.[4]
A federal grant in 1950 from the Federal Airport Act permitted the installation of a 5,200-foot hard-surface runway in 1957.[5]
Lake Central Airlines announced plans to move some operations to Burke in the early 1960s, and a Nike missile facility that had become obsolete was shut down in part because of its potential for interference with planes approaching the airport.[5]
A terminal, control tower, and passenger concourses were constructed between 1957 and 1968 as part of an effort to draw more commercial services and more passengers to the airport. In the 1970s, the airport expanded with new buildings, a new control tower, an additional runway and Aviation High School (which has since closed). In 1981, the airport was home to the first Cleveland Grand Prix and saw cars racing on its runways and approach aprons.[5]
The main terminal of the airport was renovated in 1993 to handle airline and air charter service. In 1998, the larger runway was rehabilitated and an instrument landing system was installed, allowing planes to land in poor weather.
Airlines and destinations
[edit]From 2015 to 2021, Ultimate Air served the airport with non-stop service to Cincinnati Lunken. Their operations ended as a result of declining ridership related to COVID-19. However, their return to BKL remains a possibility [7] In previous years, the airline Destination One briefly provided scheduled charter service between BKL and airports near the downtowns of Detroit, Cincinnati, Milwaukee, and Hilton Head, SC. However, this service was short-lived. Wright Air Lines was based at BKL in the 1970s and 1980s, before declaring bankruptcy. From 1957 to 1970 TAG Airlines operated flying mainly to Detroit City Airport, but shut down following a fatal crash. In 1979, Midway Airlines operated service from BKL to MDW in Chicago, before moving their operations to Hopkins. Another airline that served BKL was Cleveland's Cuyahoga County Airport (CGF) based Galaxy Airlines in 1969 using DC-3 aircraft. Galaxy had a total of 6 daily departures from BKL using a routing of CGF-BKL-CMH (Columbus)-LUK (Cincinnati Lunken Airport). The other routing was CGF-BKL-DAY (Dayton) with flights returning on the same routing. The flights between CGF & BKL were 10 minutes long gate to gate.[8]
Cargo
[edit]Airlines | Destinations |
---|---|
AirNet Express | Columbus–Rickenbacker |
Central Air Southwest | Dayton, Hamilton (OH), Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti |
Events
[edit]The airport was the site of the annual Grand Prix of Cleveland, last held in 2007, an IndyCar race which required the airport to be briefly shut down. Burke Lakefront Airport was the only airport in the country to host such a major car race which required careful maintenance of the runways in order to keep them safe for cars at high speeds.
Every Labor Day weekend, the airport hosts the annual Cleveland National Air Show attended by 60,000 to 100,000 visitors.[9]
On the evening of Thursday, October 25, 2012, president Barack Obama held a rally on the ramp in front of Air Force One for the 2012 presidential election. He was greeted by a crowd of over 12,000, according to various Cleveland news outlets.[10][11]
Facilities and aircraft
[edit]Facilities
[edit]Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport covers an area of 450 acres (180 ha) which contains two asphalt paved runways: 6L/24R measuring 6,198 x 150 ft (1,889 x 46 m) and 6R/24L measuring 5,197 x 100 ft (1,584 x 30 m).[1] The airfield is fully capable of handling large jets including, 737s, 757s, and A320s along with the smaller general aviation aircraft operations.
Signature Flight Support serves as the airport's fixed-base operator.[12]
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2019, the airport had 41,245 aircraft operations, an average of 113 per day: 74% general aviation, 23% air taxi, 2% commercial, and 1% military.[13]
There are three flight schools located on the grounds of Burke Lakefront. These schools are, T & G Flying Club, Inc.;[14] Zone Aviation;[15] and Precision Helicopters.[16]
Zone Aviation offers FAA approved full motion flight simulation with Redbird Flight Simulations FMX AATD simulator.[17]
The International Women's Air & Space Museum is located throughout the terminal at BKL.[18]
Aircraft
[edit]For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2019, 17 aircraft are based at the airport: 9 single-engine airplanes, 5 helicopters, and 3 jet airplanes.[1][13]
General Aviation aircraft rentals can be made to qualifying pilots at T&G Flying Club[19] or Zone Aviation.[20] Flights can be chartered through a number of companies operating out of the airport.[21]
Airspace
[edit]Burke-Lakefront is a class D Airspace. In addition to airport traffic, Burke Lakefront tower and approach control typically provide radar separation to medivac helicopters en route to University Hospitals of Cleveland and Cleveland Clinic which fall within the airspace that extends from the surface to 3000 feet above mean sea level.
Cleveland Hopkins class B Airspace lies above and to the southwest of the Burke Lakefront class D.
US Customs and Immigration
[edit]Burke-Lakefront serves as an international airport and is available for entry by international travelers. US Customs and immigration clearance are available with two hour prior notice.[22]
Non-Aviation Related Facilities
[edit]Since the city owned Burke-Lakefront was designed for significantly higher usage and future need, some city government agencies and private businesses unrelated to aviation currently occupy unused terminal space. The Cleveland Division of Police hit-skip unit, employee assistance unit, and aviation unit are currently located in Terminal 3. Weather Incorporated and the studio for KAZ Radio Television Network are located in the main terminal.
A decommissioned freighter Kearsarge (Now called Barge Number 225) has been converted to office space and is permanently owned by and docked at the airport. Lean Dog Software and Arras Keathly Advertising are currently tenants.[23] Outdoor event space is available for rent.
Controversy
[edit]Dwindling operations and increasing interest in waterfront redevelopment have led to calls for the city to consider closing Burke Lakefront Airport.[24][25]
In 2023, Cleveland mayor Justin Bibb made good on a promise to explore other ways to use the land. An outside firm was hired to exercise a study on the airport.[26][27][28]
Incidents
[edit]- September 8, 1981, the commander of the Thunderbirds, Lt. Col. David Smith, was taking off from Burke Lakefront Airport in his T-38 Talon when it ingested several seagulls, stalling the engines. Smith and his crew chief ejected from the jet, but Smith was killed when his chute failed to open.[29]
- September 27, 1986, a runway was closed after debris from a mass balloon release by the charity United Way Services of Cleveland fell on the airport.[30]
- In early 2008, a small twin-engined aircraft crashed into Lake Erie shortly after takeoff. The 68-year-old pilot was rumored[vague] to have had a heart attack as he made a turn to Niagara Falls.[31]
- In September 2009, a TS-11 Iskra scheduled to appear at the air show made a gear up landing. The pilot was unharmed and the aircraft received only light damage to the cowling and left wing.[32] The plane remains on the ground as of July 2014.[citation needed]
- On December 29, 2016, a Cessna 525C CJ4, registered N614SB, disappeared shortly after takeoff from Burke Lakefront Airport and is believed to have crashed into Lake Erie. A Coast Guard search ensued after air traffic control tower lost contact with the aircraft around 23:00 EST (04:00 UTC) that evening. The jet had six occupants on board at the time of the incident. Days after its disappearance, investigators reported debris washing ashore, and luggage found in the lake was confirmed to have been from the missing plane. Large pieces of the aircraft were finally recovered around January 10, 2017.[33]
- On February 5, 2018, a Beechcraft Beechjet BE-40, registered N570TM, slid off the end of the runway into the Engineered materials arrestor system, likely due to icy conditions. Investigation by the NTSB is pending. Four passengers were on board, but there were no injuries reported.[34]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for BKL PDF, effective July 5, 2007
- ^ Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport Archived December 10, 2005, at the Wayback Machine (official site)
- ^ "Visiting Cleveland". The Center for Cleveland. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ a b c Oergel, Ryan. "Burke Lakefront Airport - The Landfill Airport". Cleveland Historical. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f Oergel, Ryan. "Burke Lakefront Airport - The Landfill Airport". Cleveland Historical. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
- ^ Glaser, Susan (March 23, 2022). "Should Cleveland's Burke Lakefront Airport be closed? Local leaders are starting to discuss the possibility". cleveland. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Ultimate Air Shuttle pulling out of Burke Lakefront, ending Cleveland-to-Cincinnati flights – for now". December 7, 2021.
- ^ Galaxy Airlines timetable dated January 1, 1969
- ^ "Marketing::Cleveland National Air Show". January 13, 2013. Retrieved December 19, 2012.
- ^ Coleman, Kathy (October 27, 2012). "President Obama's airplane lands at Burke Lakefront Airport in Cleveland, Ohio". Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ Wendel, Kim (October 25, 2012). "President's remarks at Burke Lakefront". WKYC. Retrieved October 30, 2012.
- ^ "Signature BKL - Fixed Base Operator (FBO) at Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport". www.signatureflight.com.
- ^ a b "AirNav: KBKL - Burke Lakefront Airport". www.airnav.com.
- ^ "Cleveland's Finest in Flight". T&G Flying Club.
- ^ "Flight Training & Aircraft Charters in Ohio - Zone Aviation". zoneaviation.com.
- ^ "Precision Helicopters - Rental and Training". www.precisionhelicopter.com.
- ^ "Redbird FMX AATD Simulator - Zone Aviation". zoneaviation.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ^ "International Women Air & Space Museum". iwasm.org.
- ^ "Rental Rates". T&G Flying Club.
- ^ "Rental Rates - Zone Aviation". zoneaviation.com. Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ^ "Charters | Burke Lakefront Airport". Archived from the original on March 20, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
- ^ "Premier Business Airport in Cleveland - Burke Lakefront Airport". Premier Business Airport in Cleveland - Burke Lakefront Airport.
- ^ "Cleveland'S Premier Event Venue On The Lake". No225.com. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
- ^ Litt, Steven. "Should Burke Lakefront Airport close? Coalition keeps important question alive – Steven Litt". Cleveland.com. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ McGraw, Daniel. "Lies, Damn Lies and the 450 Acres of Prime Real Estate That is Burke Lakefront Airport". Clevescene.com. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
- ^ Oprea, Mark. "Cleveland Conducting Second Study to Gauge Future of Burke Lakefront Airport". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "Mike Polk Jr. has some thoughts on what Cleveland could do with the Burke Lakefront Airport property". wkyc.com. May 17, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ Epstein, Curt. "Cleveland Commissions Studies To Explore Closing Burke Lakefront Airport | AIN". Aviation International News. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "The Thunderbirds' "Diamond Crash"". Check-Six.com. July 1, 2015.
- ^ Kroll, John (August 15, 2011). "Balloonfest 1986, the spectacle that became a debacle". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved May 11, 2014.
- ^ "Coast Guard Responds To Plane Crash Near Burke Lakefront". United States Coast Guard. January 16, 2008. Archived from the original on February 17, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2009.
- ^ "Air show plane makes crash landing at Burke Lakefront Airport". WKYC. September 6, 2009. Archived from the original on February 9, 2013. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ^ "Search and recovery efforts from December 2016 plane crash looked for fitbits". WOIO. November 16, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ^ Loreno, Darcie (February 5, 2018). "Plane slides off runway at Burke Lakefront Airport Sunday, no one injured". WJW (TV). Retrieved September 25, 2024.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective November 28, 2024
- Resources for this airport:
- FAA airport information for BKL
- AirNav airport information for KBKL
- ASN accident history for BKL
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
- SkyVector aeronautical chart, Terminal Procedures