Airport Overview
Cobb County International Airport–McCollum Field (KRYY/RYY) is a county-owned public-use airport in Kennesaw, Georgia, serving the fast-growing northwest suburbs of metro Atlanta roughly 21 miles from downtown. With more than 110,000 annual operations and nearly 100 based aircraft, it ranks among Georgia's busiest general aviation fields and functions as a key reliever to PDK and Hartsfield-Jackson.
Runway Capability
The single runway 9/27 provides 6,316 feet of grooved concrete, supporting light through super-midsize business jets at typical operating weights. RNAV (GPS) approaches serve both ends with no ILS, so crews plan for visual or GPS-based arrivals. Larger heavy-jet missions generally reposition to PDK or ATL where longer runways and broader handling are available.
Charter Considerations
RYY is a convenient choice for travelers bound for Kennesaw, Marietta, Acworth, and the I-75 North corridor. Charter pricing depends heavily on aircraft positioning; The Jet Finder compares operators with aircraft based near Atlanta to minimize repositioning fees. Light and midsize jets are the natural fit here, and the field's two FBOs keep ground handling and fueling straightforward.
Customs & International Arrivals
McCollum is a CBP user-fee facility, so international flights can clear customs on-airport by arrangement rather than diverting. Operators must provide at least two hours of advance notice, and a per-flight usage fee (around $400, with after-hours callout charges) applies. Confirm current CBP hours and fees before scheduling an international leg into RYY.
Safety & Planning
The tower operates during daytime hours, with the field uncontrolled between midnight and 6 a.m. Turbine and jet operators are requested to use NBAA noise abatement procedures, and Taxiway B is restricted between B5 and B6 to aircraft with wingspans of 79 feet or more. Part 135 charter flights file IFR for ATC separation and structured routing regardless of weather.
Seasonal & Operational Factors
RYY shares Atlanta's humid subtropical climate. Warm-season afternoon thunderstorms commonly build between roughly 2 and 6 p.m., so morning departures offer the smoothest, clearest conditions. Winter brings occasional ice and IFR periods that may require de-icing. The 1,040-foot elevation is a minor density-altitude factor on hot days but not operationally limiting for typical traffic.
Regional Context
McCollum anchors private aviation for Atlanta's northwest growth corridor and the corporate base around it, including Lockheed Martin's large aeronautics operation in nearby Marietta. Traffic spikes around SEC football weekends and Masters Tournament week. For destinations toward Buckhead, Midtown, or northeast Atlanta, PDK is often the better-positioned alternative — the choice usually comes down to ground destination.