Overview & History
Richard Lloyd Jones Jr. Airport (KRVS), branded Tulsa Riverside Airport since a 2021 trust resolution, is the busiest general aviation airport in Oklahoma. Owned by the Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust, it serves the south Tulsa metro and acts as the principal reliever for Tulsa International (KTUL), roughly 10 miles northeast. The field hosts more than 500 based aircraft and over 200 hangars across an active campus of flight schools, charter operators, and corporate flight departments.
Runway Capability
The primary runway 1L/19R is 5,101 feet of grooved asphalt, supported by a parallel 1R/19L at 4,205 feet and a crosswind 13/31 at 2,639 feet. The main runway carries an ILS/LOC and RNAV (GPS) approaches to both 1L and 19R, plus a VOR/DME-A, so KRVS remains usable in most instrument conditions. The runway length supports the full light-to-super-midsize jet range under standard conditions.
Charter Considerations
Two on-field FBOs, Christiansen Aviation and Riverside Jet Center, provide Jet-A, hangars, and ramp handling, so transient charter aircraft have competitive fuel and service options. KRVS is the more convenient choice than KTUL for trips destined for south Tulsa, Jenks, Bixby, and Broken Arrow, with a direct ramp-to-car transfer and no airline terminal congestion. Downtown Tulsa is about a 15-minute drive.
Safety & Planning
KRVS is Class D airspace with a tower staffed 0700-2200 local; outside those hours the field becomes a non-towered CTAF (120.3) operation. The airport sits within a residential and commercial area along the Arkansas River, so crews should observe published noise-abatement procedures and preferred runways even though no formal curfew is imposed. There is no on-site U.S. Customs; international itineraries should clear at Tulsa International (KTUL) or another port of entry.
Seasonal & Operational Factors
Oklahoma lies in the heart of Tornado Alley, and convective weather from late spring through summer is the dominant operational variable. Thunderstorm activity typically builds after early afternoon, so morning departures offer the most schedule reliability. Field elevation of 638 feet keeps density-altitude penalties modest, but hot summer afternoons still warrant performance checks for heavier jets.
Regional Context
KRVS pairs with Tulsa International (KTUL) to cover the metro: KTUL handles airline and the largest corporate-jet traffic with customs, while Riverside absorbs the bulk of piston, turboprop, and light-to-midsize jet activity. For operators, this makes KRVS the practical business-aviation field for the south metro, with KTUL as the fallback for heavy jets, longer runways, or international clearance.