Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark
35°20′23″N 099°12′02″W / 35.33972°N 99.20056°W
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AMSL 1,922 ft / 586 m | | ||||||||||||||
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- For the military use of the facility before 1969 see Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base
The Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark, also known as the Oklahoma Air & Space Port is a spaceport in Washita County, Oklahoma, near the town of Burns Flat.[2] The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted a license to the site in June 2006 to the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) to "oversee the takeoff and landing of suborbital, reusable launch vehicles."[2] It also boasts the first space flight corridor, "The Infinity One"—which is about 152 miles long and averages about 50 miles wide—that is not in restricted airspace and does not interfere with Military Operations Areas (MOAs). The facility is an FAA licensed launch site, one of only 12 in the U.S. [3] Individual operators must also secure a separate license in order to make space flights from the facility.
Facilities
The airpark is at the site of a public
For the 12-month period ending June 30, 2020, the airport is on track for 30,000 aircraft operations, an average of 82 per day: 90% military and 10% general aviation.[1]
The location is a 2,700 acre (10.8 km²) facility located near transportation corridors such as
History
The facility operated for a number years as part of the United States Navy and United States Air Force. Closed under the name Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base, the facility has been redeveloped over the years to its present form.
The location of the former naval air station World War II runways to the north and west of the main runway are still visible on aerial photographs of the airport; however they are not usable.
Operations
One company, Rocketplane Kistler, formerly based in Oklahoma, had plans to build and operate a suborbital spacecraft, the Rocketplane XP, but filed for bankruptcy in 2010 without having successfully launched a flight.[5]
Armadillo Aerospace conducted flight test activities at the Oklahoma Spaceport in 2004 through 2009, including tests of a VTVL Lander and a Rocket Racer for the now-defunct Rocket Racing League.
Large aerospace companies are attracted to the site not only because of the length and size of the runway, but also the fact that there are no obstructions around either end.
Branches of the Department of Defense—primarily the U.S. Air Force and the Navy—use the airport for the flight training of their aircrews.[7]
Premium Aerospace said in October 2022 that it would be investing $120 million over the next several years to move to the airpark.
The former northeast 'alert pads' and ready facility of the former Strategic Air Command base currently houses the Law Enforcement Driver Training Center of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Currently referred to as 'Building 120', the former bunker facility houses OHP Academy staff and cadets during the driving training portion of 'Patrol Schools'. The annual 'Cadet Lawman Academy' (sponsored by the OSTA, Elks Lodge, and C.U.D.D.), is also located at the same facility during the summer, which provides a 1-week program for high school students. The surrounding facility and tarmac incorporates over 12 miles of various roadways and courses, used for precision driving and emergency vehicle operation training. This facility is recognized as one of the top ranked law enforcement driver training centers in the country, according to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
See also
References
- ^ PDF, effective 2007-10-25
- ^ a b Murphy, Sean (14 June 2006). "FAA issues Oklahoma spaceport license". The Mercury News. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
- ^ "Fact Sheet-Commercial Space Transportation Activities". Eva Ngai, Federal Aviation Administration, June 19, 2020. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "Wide, Open Space Dedicated to the Aerospace Industries of the Future!". Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority. Archived from the original on 2006-07-05. Retrieved 2006-06-26.
- ^ "With Rocketplane Gone, Does Oklahoma Still Need a Space Authority? – Parabolic Arc". 29 November 2010. Retrieved 2020-01-31.
- ^ a b c "Boeing still coming to state". Dale Denwalt, The Oklahoman, February 27, 2020. 26 February 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Gateway to Space -Control Tower and Airport Ops". OASDI. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Mexico-based aerospace company plans to move headquarters to western Oklahoma". Tulsa World, October 31, 2022. 31 October 2022. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
External links
- Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority
- FAA Airport Diagram (PDF), effective April 18, 2024
- Resources for this airport:
- FAA airport information for CSM
- AirNav airport information for KCSM
- ASN accident history for CSM
- FlightAware airport information and live flight tracker
- NOAA/NWS weather observations: current, past three days
- SkyVector aeronautical chart, Terminal Procedures