Cleveland Hopkins Airport Overview from the new tower currently under construction, June 2013. Photo: Ed Jones – OPShots Contributor
After a long wait, the Big Event is finally here! The 2013 Airliners International Convention is just around the corner, and excitement is literally in the air. For the first time ever, the World’s Largest Airline Collectibles Show and Convention is landing in Cleveland, and OPShots is proud to be your “go-to” spot for local information.
Cleveland Hopkins Airport is seeped in aviation history; from the National Air Races in the early days of flight, up to the Space Race that eventually led us to the moon, history abounds here. Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Jimmy Doolitle…you name it, they’ve all been here. NASA’s Glenn Research Center on the west side of the field and its famous wind-tunnels were critical in advancing aerodynamics, and continues to provide valuable research in atmospherics, testing radio for unmanned aircraft operations and more.
We are thankful that the prestigious Airliners International Association (AIA), and the World Airline Historical Society has chosen Cleveland for this year’s event, and we sincerely hope you enjoy your stay in Cleveland, and we welcome you with open arms. There will be members of our group volunteering at the event, and we hope you feel free to ask any questions you may have, I only hope we can answer them all!
Thank you for attending, and thank you for supporting the Airliners International Association (AIA), and the World Airline Historical Society!
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For your convenience, we are providing the following spotting resource information:
For spotting locations in and around KCLE, click here:
https://www.opshots.net/spotting-guides/kcle-cleveland-hopkins-internationa-spotting-guide/
For radio frequencies at KCLE, click here:
https://www.opshots.net/spotting-resources/page_id125/kcle-cleveland-hopkins/
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KCLE
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For those who venture downtown to Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL), click here for the spotting guide:
https://www.opshots.net/spotting-guides/kbkl-spotting-guide/
(This airport is primarily a GA and business aircraft destination, with many charter flights operated by major airlines. Also a hot-spot for vintage Aero Commander aircraft operated by Central Air Southwest)
For radio frequencies at KBKL, click here:
https://www.opshots.net/spotting-resources/page_id125/kbkl-burke-lakefront/
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KBKL
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For those who venture further afield, here are the radio frequencies for Cuyahoga County Airport (KCGF):
https://www.opshots.net/spotting-resources/page_id125/kcgf-cuyahoga-county/
(This airport is primarily a GA and business aircraft destination and home to the Cleveland Jet Center)
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KCGF
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To keep up to date on our “Geek Alerts” highlighting unusual aircraft en-route to Cleveland, click here:
https://www.opshots.net/forum/cleveland-geek-alerts/
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For other information, check out our Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/OPShots?fref=ts
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In addition to the airports above, there are a number of fields in the area that are within an hour’s drive from KCLE that may be of interest to some, and many small airstrips not referenced here:
Akron-Canton Regional Airport, Akron OH (KCAK)
(The primary regional rival to KCLE, this airport is about a 50 minute drive south of Cleveland and hosts a number of national carriers as well as playing host to GA, business, and other aircraft. This airport is also the home of televangelist Ernest Angley’s 747-SP, “Star Triple Seven” (P4-FSH).
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KCAK
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Akron-Fulton Airport, Akron OH (KAKR)
Primarily a GA airport these days, it is most famous for being home to the Goodyear Airdock, the iconic airship building that was formerly the largest structure in the world without interior supports.
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KAKR
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Lost Nation Airport, Willoughby OH (KLNN)
(Mostly GA, some business aircraft with classic GA’s scattered about including a Republic RC-3 Seabee in storage. Host airport for the Gathering of Eagles airshow, July 13-14: https://www.facebook.com/groups/296240381558/?fref=ts
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KLNN
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Lorain County Airport, Elyria OH (KLPR)
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KLPR
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A bit further out, but worth the visit:
Griffing Sandusky Airport, Sandusky, OH (KSKY)
(Mostly GA, with a few business aircraft. Home of Griffing’s Flying Service that serves the Lake Erie Islands. Also home to the best designator code in the world!)
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KSKY
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An hour and a half west of Cleveland, a must-see airport is historic Carl R. Keller Field/ Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport in Port Clinton, OH (KPCW). This is the former home of Island Airlines, the last operating Ford Trimotor service in the US that served the Lake Erie Islands. It is also the home of the recently opened Liberty Aviation Museum, home to the beautifully restored B-25 “Georgie’s Gal” and a restoration project of one of Island Airlines’ original Ford Trimotors, all housed in a beautiful new facility with displays and more. Well worth the drive!
FlightAware link:
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/KPCW
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We hope you find this guide helpful, and if you need any further information, be sure to contact us via the OPShots contact link, and we will do our very best to assist you!
