Burke Lakefront Airport
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Last updated August 24, 2006.
General Information
The following information is unofficial and should not be used as the basis for any piloting decisions. Contact the FAA or other official sources of information for confirmation of details.
Airfield Information
The following information is unofficial and should not be used as the basis for any piloting decisions. Contact the FAA or other official sources of information for confirmation of details.
There are two parallel runways at Burke Lakefront Airport.
Runway 6L/24R is the longer runway at 6,128 ft. X 150 ft.
Runway 6R/24L is 5,197 ft. X 100 ft.
ILS is available only on 6L/24R.
There are shipmasts and cranes at both ends of the airport. Pilots should use caution and contact official sources of information and ATIS before attempting to use the airfield.
Spotting Information
BKL does not have scheduled passenger service on a major airline or feeder service. The airfield is primarily used for general aviation, flight instruction, business and sports charters destined for Downtown Cleveland venues, and courier service.
Recently, Destination One, LLC announced scheduled passenger service on weekdays from Burke Lakefront to downtown airports in Cincinnati (Cincinnati Municipal Airport-Lunken Field) and Detroit (Coleman A. Young Detroit City Airport) and on weekends to Hilton Head Island and Charleston, South Carolina. The announced start day for this service was late July, but the airline is still working out several problems including facilities issues at Detroit. If the airline "takes off" it will use Embraer 120 turboprops.
Most of the aircraft you will see are single-engined private aircraft. There are some business jets based at the field as well as several news helicopters. Two air ambulance services also base their operations at BKL: MetroHealth Medical Center's LifeFlight and University Hospitals Rainbow RapidCare.
Spotting Locations:
In the Terminal
There is a relatively good view of the western end of the airfield from inside the terminal. Since the aircraft are generally small, you can watch the entire takeoff roll if traffic uses 6L/6R. You may miss rotation and/or lift-off of larger aircraft. You also may miss touchdown of aircraft if traffic uses 24L/24R.
Parking is expensive anywhere on the "North Coast" including at the Airport parking lot. If you are spotting during a high-traffic period, it just might be worth the $5-$10.
One reminder -- if you are visiting BKL during the Cleveland National Air Show, you won't see much from the terminal. The entire airport closes down and the area in front of the terminal is used as a staging area for the aerial demonstrations. There won't be a good view from the terminal, and you won't be able to get to the Air Show through the terminal anyway.
On the East 9th Street Pier at Voinovich Park
Although I haven't ever spotted from the end of the East 9th Street Pier, it should have a good view of arriving and departing traffic. The view is probably somewhat obstructed by Hornblower's Barge and Grill (a very good restaurant adjacent to the Airport) and construction cranes -- but only if you're trying to spot the aircraft when they are on or near the ground.
On a side note, the East 9th Street Pier is directly underneath the fair weather approach path for Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. During peak arrival periods, you will see the aircraft overhead every thirty seconds. They're still at several thousand feet, but it's still a pretty view.
More information to come about this location as time permits.
Along North Marginal Road
You will have to park your car and walk down North Marginal Road. DO NOT attempt to pull over to the side of the road for long periods of time, or to park on the grass, because the road is frequently patrolled by Cleveland PD and they will tell you to leave. If you come back and do it again, they will ticket you. Trust me, this is one place they enforce.
Bring a folding chair or blanket and binoculars. This location is good only for arrivals on 24L/24R. Departures from 6L/5R may also be visible but you won't see the takeoff roll -- it's obstructed by hangars.
You will probably want to park at the East 55th Street Marina and walk back to the airport. You can also park at the Airport parking lot, but since the view isn't as close-up, I wouldn't pay the money to park there.
On a side note -- many people try to get a free view of the Cleveland National Air Show by sitting along North Marginal Road and South Marginal Road (across the Shoreway). You may save $15 by doing this, but you'll see the show from behind a fence, probably with people cutting in front of you (on the other side of the fence.) You will also miss the narration which can only be heard from the speakers on the runway fences inside the show.
From the Lake
This is probably the best place to spot. Unfortunately it's one of the hardest places to reach. You have to have a boat, and for all intents and purposes you can only spot from the Lake during the warm months. There is a breakwall to create a calmer harbour for boats near the shore, but that doesn't do anything about cold water or ice.
I can't comment much more about spotting from the Lake because I've never done it.
Directions to Burke Lakefront Airport
By Car:
From the East: Take Interstate 90 West. At the I-90/Ohio Route 2 split, continue straight on Ohio Route 2 West in the right hand lanes. Exit up the East 9th Street ramp. Turn right at the top of the ramp and immediately make another right turn on to North Marginal Road. The Burke Lakefront Airport entrance is 1/8 mile on the left.
From the West:
Take Ohio Route 2 or US Route 6 to Interstate 90 East.
Take Interstate 90 East. Merge on to the "Innerbelt Bridge" and stay in the right lanes. Exit at I-77/East 9th Street and bear HARD RIGHT to the East 9th Street ramp. Follow East 9th Street north through Downtown (approximately twelve blocks) and cross over the Shoreway. Turn right on to North Marginal Road. The Burke Lakefront Airport entrance is 1/8 mile on the left.
From the South, Interstate 71:
Take Interstate 71 North. Interstate 71 merges to Interstate 90 West just before the "Innerbelt Bridge." Follow directions for "From the West" and Interstate 90 West.
From the South, Interstate 77:
Take Interstate 77 north. At the end of Interstate 77 your best choice is the ramp to East 9th Street, especially during rush hours. Follow East 9th Street north through Downtown (approximately twelve blocks) and cross over the Shoreway. Turn right on to North Marginal Road. The Burke Lakefront Airport entrance is 1/8 mile on the left.
By Bus:
I am currently researching bus routes which may use North Marginal Road. I am not sure if any are available. You may choose to use the Inner Loop bus during weekdays which will take you north on East 9th Street to Lakeside Avenue. This is approximately a ten minute walk to Burke Lakefront Airport.
By Rapid Transit Train:
You may take any GCRTA Rapid Transit Train to Tower City (Terminal Tower) where you should transfer to the Waterfront Line. Take the Waterfront Line to the East 9th Street (North Coast) station. Cross the street and follow the signs and North Marginal Road to Burke Lakefront Airport.