The Roscommon Conservation Airport (FAA LID: 3RC) is a publicly owned, public use airport located 2 miles southeast of Roscommon in Roscommon County, Michigan. It is located on 100 acres at an elevation of 1157 feet.[1][2]
Roscommon Conservation Airport | |||||||||||||||
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| Summary | |||||||||||||||
| Owner/Operator | Michigan Department of Natural Resources | ||||||||||||||
| Serves | Roscommon, Michigan | ||||||||||||||
| Location | Roscommon County, Michigan | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (-5) | ||||||||||||||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (-4) | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 1,157 ft / 353 m | ||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 44°28′24″N 084°33′46″W / 44.47333°N 84.56278°W | ||||||||||||||
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| Runways | |||||||||||||||
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| Statistics (2018) | |||||||||||||||
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The airport is owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources[1] and is largely used to support the agency's operations in the area. The agency focuses particularly on forest preservation in Roscommon County, including managing and combating forest fires.[3]
As it is open to the public, the airport also sees significant traffic from golfers coming into the nearby Forest Dunes golf club. The club provides shuttle services to the airport to assist golfers flying to Roscommon Conservation Airport to visit the club.[4]
Facilities and aircraft
editRoscommon Conservation Airport has two runways. Runway 10/28 measures 3552 x 75 ft (1083 x 23 m) and is paved with asphalt. Runway 18/36 measures 2500 x 100 ft (762 x 30 m) and is turf.[1][2]
In 2020, work began at the airport to renovate runway 10/28. Though delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work at the airport was completed in 2021. Work was done to adjust paving cross sections and grading; in particular, the width of the concrete supporting the runway was doubled.[5]
For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2018, the airport averages 504 aircraft operations per year, an average of 42 per month. It is all general aviation. For the same time period, 3 aircraft are based at the airport, all airplanes: 2 single-engine and 1 multi-engine.[1][2]
There is no fixed-base operator at the airport, and no fuel is available.[6][7]
Accidents and incidents
edit- On May 20, 2001, a Cessna 152 collided with trees after an aborted takeoff from Roscommon Conservation Airport. The pilot reported that the takeoff roll was longer than expected, likely due to heavy loading, the rough runway surface, and a relatively high density altitude. The aircraft lifted off on time, but during climbout, the pilot "sensed a lack of acceleration and climb performance," so he lowered the nose to gain airspeed. The pilot subsequently pitched for based angle of climb airspeed, but the aircraft still would not climb, and it became evident that it would not clear the trees ahead. The pilot therefore decided to settle back to the airport and risk damaging the aircraft instead of likely serious bodily harm. The probable cause of the accident was found to be the pilot's failure to maintain clearance from the trees, with factors including a tailwind, high weight and density altitude, the rough runway, and the pilot's failure to calculate takeoff performance.[8][9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "AirNav: 3RC - Roscommon Conservation Airport". www.airnav.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ a b c "3RC - Roscommon Conservation Airport | SkyVector". skyvector.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ O'Hare, Tom. "DNR Holding Annual Tactics Meeting to Prepare for Wildfire Season in Roscommon County". 9&10 News. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "Airport Information - Forest Dunes Golf Club - Top Public Golf Course in the US". www.forestdunesgolf.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "Clear for Landing – NFE Successfully Completes Roscommon Conservation Airport Runway Renovation – nfe-engr.com". Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "Roscommon Conservation Airport Overview and FBOs (Roscommon, MI) [3RC]". FlightAware. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "(3RC) Roscommon Conservation Airport". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "Cessna 152 crash in Michigan (N45943) | PlaneCrashMap.com". planecrashmap.com. Retrieved 2023-05-16.
- ^ "w/photo Two escape injury as plane skids off runway, into trees - Houghton Lake Resorter". Houghton Lake Resorter -. 2001-05-23. Retrieved 2023-05-16.