Celje Airport, (Airport type: Public, Operator: Aeroclub Celje, Serves: Celje, Location: Levec) also referred to as Levec Airport (ICAO code: LJCL), is a public sports airport located in Medlog, nestled in the Lower Savinja Valley. It lies along the northwestern edge of Celje, within the City Municipality of Celje in central Slovenia.
The nearby settlement of Levec adds to the airport's local context. Additionally, the airport is positioned within a water protection area.
Establishment of Aero Club Celje
In Slovenia, several aero clubs were founded between 1927 and 1928. The Aero Club in Celje was established at the end of 1927. The following year, Celje hosted its inaugural air show, attracting 30,000 visitors who came to see an aerobatic display and a parachute jump.
In 1929, the military command provided Aero Club Celje with a Daimler aircraft engine, a trophy from World War I, to kickstart aircraft construction. In December of that year, Ladislav Ropas took on the role of technical leader. His brother Dorko, who had experience in building models of various designs, joined him to offer valuable support. During this time, Ladislav met pilot Zuzman in Vienna, who taught him how to fly powered aircraft and sparked his interest in gliding. He established connections with the Ron-Rositten company in Wasserkuppe, Germany, known for its prestigious gliding competitions. Ropas successfully obtained plans for the "Zoegling," a glider resembling a sparrow, and decided to construct it himself, with considerable assistance from Dorko's modeling expertise, as well as the help of apprentices and assistants.