Rickenbacker International (KLCK), Ohio
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Rickenbacker International (KLCK) is a Columbus, Ohio cargo and military-shared field built around two runways exceeding 11,900 feet, the longer at 12,103 feet. The airport hosts an Air National Guard C-130 wing alongside civilian cargo and business aviation traffic, and it maintains CBP inspection services onsite along with a USDA compliance agreement. FAA TFMSC data for 2025 places KLCK in Skystar's top operational tier, with business aviation accounting for a meaningful share of total annual operations.
Runways
Rickenbacker International has two paved runways. The longest, 05R/23L, is 12,103 ft long and 200 ft wide, with an asphalt and concrete surface.
Runway geometry from published threshold coordinates. Not for navigation.
Runways are listed longest first. Helipads and surfaces under 500 ft are excluded.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Rickenbacker International has Jet A, 100LL and A++ available on the field. Fueling is available 24 hours a day, every day, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Rickenbacker International has US Customs and Border Protection clearance available onsite, with general clearance for international arrivals. A USDA compliance agreement is in place.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Rickenbacker International recorded 2,518 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in March, May and August. Business aviation traffic at KLCK is concentrated in a narrow band through the year, with August recording the highest monthly count and January and October the lowest, according to FAA TFMSC data.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month August, 235 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is 3.4 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Rickenbacker International has published operating constraints in five categories: access, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Restriction: all fixed-wing military aircraft requiring parking or service on the 121st Air Refueling Wing ramp must obtain prior permission at least 48 hours in advance from base operations.
Restriction: Air Mobility Command aircraft operations are restricted during Bird Watch Condition Moderate, with takeoff and landing permitted only when departure and arrival routes avoid identified bird activity and no local IFR or VFR traffic pattern is in use. During Bird Watch Condition Severe, takeoff and landing are prohibited without wing operations group or command approval. Contact the command post for the current bird watch condition code.
Air National Guard: the 121st Air Refueling Wing operates KC-135R aircraft with a command post on base. Limited transient service is available on weekdays from 1200 to 2000 local and later, excluding holidays. Transient fuel and parking are limited, and transient aircrew must assist with or perform refueling operations themselves. Fuel is available on the Air National Guard ramp by prior request only. Aircraft support not coordinated through the 48-hour prior permission request with the 121st Air Refueling Wing may not be available.
Transient alert: limited service is available, but prior permission is not required. No Air National Guard transient service is available off the Air National Guard ramp.
Noise abatement procedures are in effect from 2300 to 0700. Departures use runway 23L or 23R when winds are 10 knots or less. Arrivals use runway 05L or 05R when winds are 10 knots or less. This procedure is managed by airport operations.
Birds are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 581/R/A/W/T
PCR VALUE: 708/R/A/W/T
Air National Guard aircraft must contact C-26 operations prior to entering the C-26 ramp and parking area.
Contact ground control for clearance prior to pushback onto taxiway A from cargo ramp 2.
Army National Guard operations run from 1200 to 2100 Zulu and later on weekdays, excluding holidays. No transient service is available after 1900 Zulu. Contact operations for details.
See FLIP AP/1 supplementary airport remarks for additional information.
Boundary lighting is available.
Fluid available: SP PRESAIR LHOX.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Rickenbacker International has five airfields within 19 NM. The closest is Bolton Field (KTZR), 10.97 NM northwest.
Part of the Columbus, Ohio area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KLCK
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$2,400.00 catering order at KLCK.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
What runways are available at KLCK?
Rickenbacker International operates two paved runways well suited to large cargo and military aircraft. Runway 05R/23L is the longer of the two at 12,103 feet, with a width of 200 feet and an asphalt-concrete surface. Runway 05L/23R measures 11,902 feet long and 150 feet wide, surfaced in asphalt. A short 50-foot by 50-foot concrete helipad, designated H1, is also listed at the field. Both main runways can accommodate heavy transport and wide-body cargo traffic.
Is fuel available at Rickenbacker International (KLCK)?
Rickenbacker International lists three fuel types: 100LL, Jet A, and Jet A++. The airport reports a 24-hour attendance schedule, described in the data as ALL / ALL / ALL, meaning fuel and field attendance are not limited to specific daytime hours. KLCK is a towered airport, adding a layer of coordination for arrivals and ground movement. Given the mixed military and cargo operations onsite, aircrews should expect ground control coordination for ramp and taxiway transitions, as detailed in the airport's own operational remarks.
Does KLCK have customs and immigration services onsite?
Yes, Rickenbacker International has CBP inspection services available onsite, along with a USDA compliance agreement covering agricultural inspection needs. This combination supports international cargo and business aviation arrivals without requiring diversion to a separate customs facility. The airport's dual role as a military and civilian cargo hub makes onsite clearance capability a significant operational feature. Crews planning international arrivals at KLCK should still confirm current inspection hours and any advance notice requirements directly with the relevant agency.
What noise abatement procedures apply at Rickenbacker International?
Rickenbacker International enforces noise abatement procedures between 2300 and 0700 local, as reported in the airport's operational remarks. During this window, departures are directed to runways 23L and 23R when winds are 10 knots or less, and arrivals are directed to runways 05L and 05R under the same wind condition. These runway preferences are managed by airport operations and apply specifically to the overnight period. Flight crews operating into or out of KLCK during nighttime hours should plan for these runway assignments when winds are calm.
What military operations share the field at Rickenbacker International?
Rickenbacker International hosts the 121st Air Refueling Wing of the Air National Guard, operating KC-135R tankers alongside civilian traffic. Fixed-wing military aircraft requiring parking or service on the 121 ARW ramp must have prior permission requested 48 hours in advance through base operations. The Air National Guard ramp offers limited transient service on weekdays, generally between 1200 and 2000 local, excluding holidays, and limited transient fuel and parking with aircrew expected to assist in refueling operations. Aircraft support not coordinated through the advance request process may not be available at KLCK.