The Tulsa Riverside Airport (previously known as Richard L. Jones, Jr. Airport - RVS) opened July 3, 1958 in southwest Tulsa to serve as a reliever airport for Tulsa International. At that time, this 752-acre facility had a single 4,000-foot (1,200 m) long runway, an aircraft ramp, and one concrete building. Since then, the airport has grown to become a hub of business and economic activity for the Tulsa region. It now includes three runways, over two hundred commercial and private hangars, and over 500 based aircraft. During 2011, the control tower recorded 202,539 operations (average of 555 per day) which placed RVS as the 45th busiest control tower in the U.S. In previous years, Riverside has handled as many as 347,091 operations per year (951 average per day). Operations include charter, business, medical, law enforcement, government, and privately owned aircraft.
The airport drives economic activity in the region in a multitude of ways:
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The airport provides access to the nation’s air transportation system, allowing business owners to save time by making point to point travel.
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The airport’s flight schools make RVS a hub of flight training activity, bringing students from around the world to the Tulsa area.
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Ground operations, hangar rentals, and engine maintenance and repair services are several of the services provided by businesses on airport property.
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The airport drives business to local suppliers of aircraft engine parts and interiors.
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Over 1.5 million gallons of fuel were purchased by aircraft operators at RVS last year.
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Commercial operators at RVS employ over 300 area residents, generating a payroll of over $6 million annually.
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120 acres are leased to the Tulsa County Board of Commissioners for the operation of South Lakes Golf Course.
Two full service FBO’s operate at RVS:
- Christiansen Aviation - Christiansen Jet Center is South Tulsa's Premier FBO. Serving Jones Riverside since 1972. Christiansen provides flight training, maintenance, aircraft leasing, aircraft sales and a full service FBO. Ph: (918) 298-6650
- Riverside Jet Center - Riverside Jet Center is a full service FBO, providing a wide range of services for all types of aircraft, from small private aircraft to large business jets. Ph: (918) 299-3835
Flight schools located at RVS:
