Day 1
KRCV opened as a public use airport in May of 1947, then it had the identifier of 8V1. A wind tetrahedron was installed when the airport opened, and even though we have wind socks and a segmented circle now, the original wind tetrahedron from 1947 in still up and operational to this day!
2020 Colorado Airport of the Year
The Astronaut Kent Rominger Airport (RCV) was distinguished as the “2020 Colorado Airport of the Year” by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Aeronautics and the Colorado Aeronautical Board.
The Colorado Airport of the Year Award is presented annually by the Colorado Division of Aeronautics to recognize Colorado public-use airports that exhibit outstanding contributions to the Colorado Air & Space System. Airports distinguished with this recognition demonstrate values that fall in line with the CDOT Division of Aeronautics’ mission to advance a safe, efficient, and an effective statewide air and space system through collaboration, investment and advocacy.
In 2010, the Division of Aeronautics supported one of the largest state/local-funded runway projects at Del Norte, which addressed the growing medical evacuation needs of Del Norte’s Rio Grande Hospital. The airport also recently completed the construction of a pilot shelter and camping facility, funded entirely by the airport and the Recreational Aviation Foundation. The volunteer leadership of the airport has helped make RCV one of the shining examples in Colorado of what a small rural general aviation airport can do to support its community and its residents and visitors.
According to the 2020 Economic Impact Study of Colorado Airports, the Astronaut Kent Rominger Airport is responsible for supporting 31 jobs, producing over $1.36 million in annual payroll, while generating $5.38 million in overall business revenue.
1998 View of KRCV
Before 2010, our primary runway here at KRCV used to be 08/26, which was 3800' long and 48' wide. After the new construction of Runway 06/24, Runway 08/26 became our Taxiway A
Post Construction View of Runway 06/24 - 2010
With a generous grant from the CDOT Aviation Division our new 6050' x 75' runway was completed!
Oct 2023 View of KRCV
The airport experienced a large amount of growth during 2023 with the addition of 8 new hangars and a 12,000 gallon Jet A storage tank to the fuel farm.
The Airport is named for our local celebrity: Astronaut Kent Rominger.
Kent was born in Del Norte, Colorado and graduated from Del Norte High School in 1974. In 1978, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Colorado State University, and in 1987 a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School. He is an American former astronaut, former NASA Chief of the Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center, and a captain in the United States Navy. Rominger holds the Space Shuttle Orbiter flight time record with 1610 hours. He joined ATK Launch Systems Group in 2006 as Vice President of Advanced Programs. Selected by NASA in March 1992, Rominger reported to the Johnson Space Center in August 1992. He completed one year of training and qualified for assignment as a pilot on future Space Shuttle flight crews. Rominger was initially assigned to work technical issues for the Astronaut Office Operations Development Branch. He also served as Chief of the Astronaut Office Shuttle Operations Branch, and Deputy Director, Flight Crew Operations. A veteran of five space flights, Rominger has logged over 1,600 hours in space These were all as a STS Orbiter crew member, the highest total in this category. He flew as pilot on STS-73 in 1995, STS-80 in 1996 and STS-85 in 1997, and was crew commander on STS-96 in 1999 and STS-100 in 2001. Rominger served as Chief of the Astronaut Office and professional head of the NASA Astronaut Corps from 2002 to 2006, responsible for the mission preparation activities of all Space Shuttle and future International Space Station crews and their support personnel.
