Ohio State University Airport (KOSU), Ohio
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Ohio State University Airport, KOSU, is a towered Part 1 reliever field in Columbus, Ohio, serving as a primary hub for business aviation activity in the region. The airport sits roughly 9.7 nautical miles from John Glenn Columbus International, the nearest customs-equipped facility, and reports no onsite customs processing. With three paved runways and both 100LL and Jet A fuel available on a near-continuous attendance schedule, KOSU supports a substantial volume of turbine and piston traffic annually, though several runways carry defined passenger-capacity restrictions that operators should review before planning larger charter equipment.
Runways
Ohio State University Airport has three paved runways. The longest, 09R/27L, is 5,004 ft long and 100 ft wide, with an asphalt 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
Ohio State University Airport has Jet A1+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 6am to 11pm, daily, and the airport has an operating control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Ohio State University Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is John Glenn Columbus International (KCMH), 10 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Ohio State University Airport recorded 12,724 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in May, August and September. Business aviation traffic at KOSU concentrates in the late summer and early fall, with August and September posting the year's highest monthly totals.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month September, 1,248 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Ohio State University Airport averages 6.2 days above 90°F in July and 25.4 freeze days in January. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 84.3°F, and January the coldest, at 36.3°F.
Weather station is on the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Ohio State University Airport has published operating constraints in six categories: access, runway notes, noise procedures, environmental, pavement strength and other notes.
Runway 05/23 is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 9 passenger seats, or unscheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 30 passenger seats. Unscheduled air carrier operations exceeding 30 passenger seats require a 90-day prior permission request; contact the airport manager.
Runway 09L/27R is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 9 passenger seats, or unscheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 30 passenger seats. Unscheduled air carrier operations exceeding 30 passenger seats require a 90-day prior permission request; contact the airport manager.
Runway 09R/27L is not available for Part 121 or Part 380 operations involving scheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 9 passenger seats, or unscheduled passenger-carrying flights with more than 30 passenger seats. Unscheduled air carrier operations exceeding 30 passenger seats require a 90-day prior permission request; contact the airport manager.
All taxiways north of runway 09R/27L are closed to unscheduled air carrier operations with more than 30 passenger seats.
The ramp north of taxiway G is closed; a prior permission request is required 24 hours in advance for use.
The airport is closed to Part 121 scheduled air carrier operations with more than 9 passenger seats. Unscheduled air carrier operations exceeding 30 passenger seats require a 90-day prior permission request; contact the airport manager.
When the airport traffic control tower is closed, activate the MALSR for runway 09R via CTAF. Runway 27L has REIL; runway 09R and 27L have PAPI; runway 09L and 27R have VASI. HIRL on runway 09R/27L operates continuously at medium intensity. MIRL on runway 09L/27R operates continuously at low intensity.
Runway 05/23 is closed daily from sunset to sunrise.
A noise-sensitive area lies within four miles to the north and northeast of the airport. Noise abatement restrictions prohibit touch-and-go operations and reported takeoffs or landings daily between 2300 and 0700.
Birds and deer are present on and in the vicinity of the airport.
PCR VALUE: 290/F/B/X/T
PCR VALUE: 240/F/C/X/T
PCR VALUE: 860/F/C/X/T
Snow removal operating procedures: when the tower is closed, announce arrivals and departures on frequency 118.8.
An unlit heliport is located on the north side of the airfield, adjacent to the Air Guard ramp, near taxiway G.
Helicopter landings and takeoffs are prohibited on taxiway A and on all ramp area south of taxiway A. Helicopters capable of ground taxiing should do so on taxiway A abeam the ramp.
Surface conditions are unmonitored between 2300 and 0700.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Ohio State University Airport has five airfields within 18 NM. The closest is John Glenn Columbus International (KCMH), 9.69 NM southeast.
Part of the Columbus, Ohio area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at KOSU
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 KOSU.
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 KOSU?
Ohio State University Airport, KOSU, operates three paved asphalt runways. The primary runway, 09R/27L, measures 5,004 feet by 100 feet and carries the airport's medium-intensity high-intensity runway lighting. Runway 09L/27R spans 2,994 feet by 100 feet with low-intensity edge lighting. Runway 05/23 is 3,562 feet by 100 feet but closes daily between sunset and sunrise. All three surfaces support fixed-wing business aviation traffic under the operational restrictions posted for each runway.
Are there passenger-carrying restrictions on KOSU runways?
Yes, all three runways at Ohio State University Airport carry the same passenger-capacity limits. None of the runways are available for Part 121 or Part 380 scheduled operations carrying more than 9 passenger seats, or unscheduled operations carrying more than 30 passenger seats. Unscheduled air carrier operations exceeding 30 passenger seats require a 90-day prior permission request coordinated through the airport manager. This restriction applies uniformly across runway 05/23, 09L/27R, and 09R/27L. Dispatchers planning larger charter equipment into KOSU should account for this airport-wide limitation.
Is there a noise abatement procedure at KOSU?
Yes, Ohio State University Airport has a defined noise abatement restriction tied to a noise-sensitive area located within four miles to the north and northeast of the field. No touch-and-go operations or reported takeoffs and landings are permitted daily between 2300 and 0700 local. This restriction applies regardless of runway in use. Crews operating into KOSU during nighttime hours should plan arrivals and departures outside this window where possible. The restriction reflects residential proximity rather than any airfield performance limitation.
Does KOSU have a heliport, and are there helicopter operating limits?
Ohio State University Airport has an unlit heliport located on the north side of the airfield, adjacent to the Air Guard ramp near taxiway G. Helicopter landings and takeoffs are prohibited on taxiway A and on all ramp area south of taxiway A. Helicopters capable of ground taxiing must do so on taxiway A abeam the ramp rather than air-taxiing. These restrictions are specific to rotorcraft and do not apply to fixed-wing traffic elsewhere on the field. Operators should brief these zones before requesting helicopter movement at KOSU.
What is the seasonal traffic pattern at KOSU?
Business aviation traffic at Ohio State University Airport, KOSU, is not evenly distributed across the year and shows a late-summer concentration. Monthly operations climb from a low near 845 in February to peaks of 1,242 in August and 1,248 in September, according to FAA TFMSC data for 2025. October and May also post totals above 1,180, while the coldest winter months register the lowest volumes. Total annual business aviation operations reach 12,724 out of 16,185 overall operations recorded at the field. Schedulers should expect tighter ramp and parking availability during the August-October window.