Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1), South Carolina
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1) is a public-use, non-towered field in Ridgeland, South Carolina, serving as a business aviation point roughly 25 nautical miles from the Savannah metro area. The airport sits within reach of several regional fields, including Beaufort MCAS and Savannah / Hilton Head International, the latter also serving as the nearest customs-equipped airport for international arrivals. With a single asphalt runway and fuel service tied to daytime attendance hours, 3J1 supports light general and business aviation traffic in the Lowcountry region.
Runways
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport has one paved runway, 18/36, 4,200 ft long and 75 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport has Jet A, Jet A+ and 100LL available on the field. Fueling is available from 8am to 6pm, daily, and the airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Savannah / Hilton Head International (KSAV), 25 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport recorded 632 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in April, May and November. Business aviation traffic at 3J1 is concentrated in the spring and fall months, with April, May, and November posting the highest monthly operations while July through September see a marked drop-off.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month May, 86 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Weather station is 5.9 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport has published operating constraints in three categories: access, runway notes and other notes.
Glider operations occur in the vicinity of the airport.
For clearance delivery, contact Beaufort Approach; when approach is closed, contact Jacksonville ARTCC.
Runway 18/36 medium intensity runway lights are preset to low intensity; use CTAF to increase intensity. REIL and PAPI on runways 18 and 36 operate continuously from dusk to dawn.
A tree, 10 feet tall, is located 166 feet from the threshold and 125 feet left of centerline.
The Runway 18 PAPI is unusable beyond 8 degrees left of the runway centerline.
Runway 36 is the calm wind runway.
Jet A fuel is available with Prist additive.
The FBO is located mid-field.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport has five airfields within 31 NM. The closest is Beaufort McAs (merritt Fld) (KNBC), 13.91 NM east.
Part of the Savannah and Hilton Head area.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at 3J1
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.
$1,200.00 catering order at 3J1.
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
Is Jet A fuel available at 3J1?
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1) stocks Jet A with Prist in addition to 100LL and A+ grades. Fuel service aligns with the airport's daily attendance schedule from 0800 to 1800. The field is non-towered, so pilots should coordinate fuel needs directly with the FBO located mid-field.
What is the runway configuration at Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport?
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1) has a single paved runway, 18/36, measuring 4,200 feet long and 75 feet wide with an asphalt surface. Runway 36 is designated as the calm wind runway. Both runway ends are equipped with REIL and PAPI, though the Runway 18 PAPI is unusable beyond 8 degrees left of the runway centerline.
Does 3J1 have customs clearance on site?
Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1) does not have onsite customs processing. The nearest customs-equipped airport is Savannah / Hilton Head International (KSAV), located approximately 24.58 nautical miles away. Dispatchers arranging international arrivals should plan clearance through that facility rather than at 3J1 directly.
What obstructions should pilots be aware of near the runway at 3J1?
A 10-foot tall tree is located 166 feet from the threshold and 125 feet left of centerline at Ridgeland-Claude Dean Airport (3J1). Glider operations also occur in the vicinity of the airport, adding another factor for arriving and departing traffic to monitor. Pilots should account for both the close-in obstruction and shared airspace use during approach and departure planning.