Cheraw Municipal Airport/Lynch Bellinger Field

KCQW Cheraw Municipal Airport sits 1.5 miles east of downtown Cheraw, South Carolina, serving the town and surrounding Chesterfield County with a single 5,000-foot asphalt runway. The airport is a general aviation facility, unserved by commercial airlines, but widely used by private pilots, agricultural operators, and occasional charter flights. Its location along the Great Pee Dee River, roughly halfway between Charlotte, North Carolina, and the South Carolina coast, makes it a convenient stop for cross-country flights. The airport handles modest traffic — predominantly single-engine aircraft and light business jets — and operates under a low-key, rural atmosphere that matches the character of the region.

Getting There

Cheraw Municipal Airport is accessible via South Carolina Highway 9, which runs east-west through the town. From downtown Cheraw, take Market Street (SC-9) east for about a mile, then turn left onto Airport Road. The drive is three minutes from the town center. For those coming from further afield, Interstate 95 lies 40 miles to the east, reachable via US-1 north to SC-9. From Charlotte Douglas International Airport, the drive is roughly 90 miles southeast via US-74 East and US-52 South — about 1 hour 40 minutes. No public transit serves the airport; rental cars are available in Cheraw but must be reserved in advance. Rideshare coverage is spotty but may be summoned from nearby cities like Florence (30 miles south) or Hartsville (20 miles west). Taxis are limited to local operators, so arranging a pickup by phone ahead of time is wise.

Inside the Terminal

The airport's terminal is a single-story building adjacent to the ramp. It houses a basic waiting area with a handful of chairs, a restroom, and a small office where the airport manager or FBO staff can assist with fueling, parking, and tie-downs. The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried — no jet bridges, no food concessions, no duty-free. Passengers arriving or departing should expect a straightforward, self-sufficient experience. A self-service fueling station is available 24/7 for credit card users. For those waiting, bring your own snacks and water. The terminal lacks Wi-Fi, so plan accordingly. The runway and taxiway are well-maintained, and the ramp is typically uncrowded. On busy afternoons — especially around 3 PM on Mondays and Tuesdays, and 9 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays — a few more aircraft may be present, but the pace remains relaxed. A pilot lounge with basic amenities is accessible inside, but its hours are limited to office staffing — generally Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Outside those hours, pilots should be self-sufficient.

KCQW Cheraw Municipal Airport and Cheraw

Cheraw itself is a small town with a deep history — a deliberate pace that matches its airport's personality. Founded in 1750, Cheraw is one of South Carolina's oldest inland towns. Its historic district covers several blocks of antebellum homes, brick sidewalks, and a town square anchored by a 1913 courthouse. The town is perhaps best known as the birthplace of jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, who grew up here in the early twentieth century. His legacy is celebrated at the Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Park just off the square, where a large mural and annual festival keep his name alive. The Cheraw area also offers natural attractions: the Great Pee Dee River, which runs along the town's western edge, provides fishing, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities. The Cheraw State Park, a short drive from the airport, features a 300-acre lake, hiking trails, and a golf course. For visitors interested in Civil War history, the nearby ruins of the Cheraw & Darlington Railroad yards and the old Seaboard Air Line Depot hint at the town's strategic importance during the war. Annual events like the Cheraw Bluegrass Festival and the South Carolina Peanut Party draw crowds from across the region. Most travelers arriving at KCQW are either passing through on a recreational flight, visiting family in the area, or coming for business connected to the agricultural sector — cotton, soybeans, and timber dominate the local economy. The airport's runway length and pavement strength accommodate light business jets, making it a viable choice for corporate visits to the nearby Bowater paper mill or to the numerous poultry farms in the county. For tourists, the airport serves as a convenient entry point to the broader Pee Dee region: Florence's museums and shopping are 30 minutes south, and the Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge is 20 minutes east. The airport's casual, no-fuss environment means visitors are in and out quickly, but those who linger will find a town that values its history and natural surroundings.

Practical Information

Cheraw Municipal Airport (ICAO: KCQW) is open to general aviation traffic year-round. The airport manager's office is generally staffed Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, but the field is accessible 24/7 for pilots who have arranged prior permission or are using self-service fuel. Phone: +1 843-537-6423. No website is operated by the airport; for inquiries, call the Cheraw city hall at +1 843-537-8426. Fuel is available: 100LL avgas and Jet-A self-serve. Tie-downs are free for transient parking. No hangar space is available for short-term storage except by prior arrangement. The nearest FBO with full service (crew cars, catering, lounge) is at Florence Regional Airport (KFLO), 30 miles south. For pilots landing at KCQW: bring your own tie-down straps and chocks, and be aware that the ramp has no lighting beyond the terminal area — night parking is best near the fuel station. For passengers arriving via charter: have a rental car prebooked, or arrange a pickup, because local taxi service is unreliable. The one piece of advice that will save you time: call ahead before flying in, even if you don't need fuel — the airport manager can alert you to any maintenance on the runway, which is annually inspected but occasionally sees crop-dusting traffic that may cause brief closures. Cheraw Municipal Airport is a straightforward, no-nonsense facility that works best for prepared pilots and passengers alike.