Airport report

We’re flying into airports around the midwest and recording our experiences here: 35 and counting!

Minnesota airports

K55Y Rushford Municipal

The Rushford Municipal Airport is situated upon a bluff, amidst lovely rolling hills and fields in the southern part of the state. There was a courtesy car in the parking lot, and a facility that promised bathrooms, but the directions for the access code were so faded that I was unable to get into the building. We’ll be back to explore the region once we determine how best to do so! September 2021

Peterson, Minnesota

KD39 Sauk Centre Municipal

We used tiny Sauk Centre as a sort of midpoint between home and our avionics shop, freshening up in the small but very clean and well-maintained FBO before boarding our plane (which had been ferried there). Located near Interstate 94 and surrounded by cornfields, this would be an excellent stopping point to refuel or wait out a storm. May 2020

Sauk Centre, Minnesota

KDYT Sky harbor

Update, June 2020: The new runway is gorgeous. We flew in with a picnic and spent a few hours at the beach, without having to consider ground transportation at all.

There are unspeakably incredible views, landing on a spit of land along Lake Superior. This is a seasonally busy airport and an active floatplane base. We tied down overnight without issue and planned for a long wait for an Uber ride; a friendly conversation with another pilot led to a ride into town. There’s fuel available, and courtesy cars as well as courtesy bikes. September 2019

Duluth, Minnesota

KLVN Airlake

After a long day of dodging weather, we decided stopping at Airlake for the night was our safest choice. As the airport manager said - there are 4.5 million people to the north, and cornfields to the south. We tied down easily and quickly near the modern and stylish FBO (lots of tie-down spots, ropes, wheel chocks available) and were greeted by a very attentive and friendly staff. May 2020

Lakeville, Minnesota

KMIC Crystal

A great thing about general aviation is the community, and the opportunity to consult with other pilots and plane owners. Such an occasion warranted a quick trip to Crystal, which allowed for a terrific view of Minneapolis and the surrounding area (while being very aware of airspace restrictions). May 2021

Crystal, Minnesota (towered)

KONA Winona Municipal

On a sunny Saturday in November, Winona appeared to have some abandoned buildings, some occupied (but closed for Thanksgiving weekend) buildings, a very angular, very concrete, public building of some sort with exterior restrooms (not yet open), and a port-a-potty in the parking lot. Pretty bluffs rise up immediately to the west of the airport, creating some pretty substantial mountain effect on the runway, and necessitating a right-hand pattern. November 2020

Winona, Minnesota

KPKD Park Rapids Municipal

Avionics upgrades brought us to Park Rapids on a sunny clear day. This is a lake resort region, and the FBO is lodge-themed and feels like a living room in your uncle’s lake home if corporate executives on vacation regularly stopped in to chat. There are meeting spaces and staff, personal and corporate jet activity, and flyers posted for million-dollar properties in the vicinity. The Garmin-certified avionics shop lent us a car, and we had a delightful brunch in town, where there’s still a bustling main street. June 2020

Park Rapids, Minnesota

KPNM Princeton Municipal

Princeton is immediately north of the Twin Cities metro. The runway is in good condition and the unstaffed FBO required a minor decoding effort for entry but was clean and sufficient once we gained access. There’s fuel available and a courtesy car; we walked to Merlin’s Family Restaurant for breakfast - which is a hike, especially with hungry kids, but was a fun outing. September 2019

Princeton, Minnesota

KPWC Pine River Regional

We haven’t had a lot of opportunities to visit people we know, via plane. So our trip to Pine River was especially fun - we selected it due to its proximity to a friend’s river place, and he met us at the airport. We had a delightful lunch and tour, and a boat ride, before heading home. The airport had a somewhat standard FBO - all the things you need, not much extra. August 2020

Pine River, Minnesota

KRWF Redwood Falls Municipal

In pursuit of a day trip, we set out for Redwood Falls. After some searching, we found the pilot’s lounge and a sign-out sheet for multiple courtesy cars. We had lunch at the Dari King (just down the street from Dairy Queen) and visited the largest municipal park (in the state? the region? anywhere?), which had a zoo and extensive walking trails. The FBO had a themed picnic table (painted with a runway) and some historic aviation photos and plane parts on display. September 2020

Redwood Falls, Minnesota

ksgs Richard e. fleming field

This airport is located under a ring of MSP Class Bravo airspace; with the Saint Paul Airport immediately to your north, be attentive to your airspace, altitude, and traffic. The runway is in good condition and the staffed FBO is nicer than average. This is a very active airport with an EAA chapter and Commemorative Airforce with a flying B25 “Miss Mitchell”; many maintenance services are available. This airport is also home to Wipaire and multiple flight schools. September 2019

South Saint Paul, Minnesota

KSTP Holman Field

Flying in and out of Holman Field in Saint Paul, you find yourself thrillingly close to downtown, with incredible views down the river. We visited one sunny day for lunch at Holman’s Table and sat on the patio, overlooking the runway and a helicopter doing maneuvers. August 2020

Saint Paul, Minnesota (towered)

KTOB Dodge Center Municipal

Just west of the airport a substantial cluster of windmills stands tall on the horizon. The FBO was cozy and clean. We saw a WWII plane take off from the grass strip, and someone stocking snacks stopped to chat; he flew to 76 Minnesota airports in just five days earlier this year, logging 2300 nautical miles. Although we saw a courtesy car in the parking lot, we didn’t spot a key. November 2020

Dodge Center, Minnesota

KULM new ulm municipal

This is a rural location, surrounded mostly by cornfields. The runway is in good condition; we accessed the unstaffed FBO when we (eventually) found the correct door and it was simple and sufficient for a pit stop. There’s fuel available but no courtesy car; we walked to the nearby Aldi for snacks. October 2019

New Ulm, Minnesota

Wisconsin airports

9WN2 Voyager Village

This 3,500-foot paved airstrip is pitched as a destination for golfing, eating, and exploring. As directed, we used 122.9 to communicate, and we arrived amidst clear blue skies on Labor Day. We had lunch on the scenic clubhouse patio surrounded by the golf course, immediately next to the runway, and watched a few other planes arrive for lunch. It was a delightful outing. September 2021

Danbury, Wisconsin

K3D2 Ephraim-Gibraltar

Seeking a convenient airport in Door County, we found it here. It’s a scenic one-mile downhill walk to various inns and motels and a slightly further (still scenic) uphill walk for food in the off-season. There are supposedly bikes and a courtesy van available which would make it easier to reach Fish Creek. We had good luck using the single taxi driver that was available; his card was posted everywhere we went. April 2021

Ephraim, Wisconsin

K4R5 Major Gilbert Field

On a windy day in June, we took my father-in-law for lunch on Madeline Island. There were plenty of bikes to borrow and after a quick ride into town we enjoyed lunch at The Beach Club , had a nice stroll around town, and got ice cream at Grampa Tony’s. June 2021

Madeline Island, Wisconsin

KAHH Amery Municipal

The FBO here is neither new, refurbished, or especially clean… but it is well heated and has a fully functioning restroom. Fuel was nearly a dollar less than at most nearby airports on the day we stopped by to check things out; there was some plane activity, and we chatted briefly with a fellow who was working on his plane in preparation for flying it to Florida in time for Thanksgiving. November 2020

Amery, Wisconsin

KEAU Chippewa Valley Regional

When we first got a plane, we heard the joke about a $50 hamburger. The idea is that you can use a lot of fuel in an effort to grab lunch, but in reality, a perfectly good reason to take a scenic flight is to pick up food along the way. From the Twin Cities, Eau Claire is an obvious choice for this, as they have a restaurant right at the airport. We had a delicious meal at Hangar 54 while watching a regional jet arrive and unload passengers and baggage. April 2021

Eau Claire, Wisconsin (towered)

KEGV Eagle River Union

Just about halfway between the Twin Cities and Mackinac Island, Eagle River is a great place to stop. The staff is friendly and helpful and the FBO has a cozy north woods theme, complete with a carved wooden bear just inside the door. The runways were in good condition, and there was steady general aviation traffic, including some private jet activity. July 2020

Eagle River, Wisconsin

KEZS Shawano Municipal

An airport with lunch options is always a nice place to stop, and Shawano (pronounced Shawn-o, we learned) fits the bill. We had delicious burgers at the Launching Pad, across the street, and were told that in warmer weather it’s worth the short walk to the Lighthouse, alongside the lake. A courtesy car can be arranged but there’s plenty of food within walking distance. April 2021

Shawano, Wisconsin

KLSE La Crosse Regional

From the Twin Cities, La Crosse is a good distance for cross-country training requirements. It’s also a nice clean airport with multiple runways, full service, and a staffed FBO with friendly employees and very nice houseplants in the lobby. Regional flights through commercial airlines can be scheduled in and out of here, as well. August 2021

La Crosse, Wisconsin (towered)

KLUM Menomonie Municipal

Menomonie is located right alongside the major east-west interstate, next to a quarry and what appears to be some major trucking distribution center(s). The FBO was large and well-appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows in the lobby and an abundance of houseplants greening up the place. The courtesy car was by far the freshest and newest one we’ve yet encountered, and we took it into town, which was surprisingly bustling, even during pandemic times, presumably due to the proximity to UW-Stout. Lunch at the Log Jam was very pleasant, and many other options were available. November 2020

Menomonie, Wisconsin

KMDZ Taylor County

With family in Medford, we were bound to visit this central Wisconsin airport eventually. The two runways, perpendicular to each other, provide lots of landing options. The newer runway is the longer one, but both are in good condition. This is a rural airport, but well resourced with fuel and helpful staff. June 2020

Medford, Wisconsin

KOEO L.O. Simenstad Municipal

Hidden next to a curve in the St. Croix River, and just outside the Mode C veil of MSP, the AWOS recording claims that this is the friendliest airport in Wisconsin. We can’t confirm or deny that claim, but they do have good fuel prices, and the sort of FBO that seems built to hold the large conference table overlooking the runway. There’s a 5,000-foot runway, a grass strip, and an occasional Wheels and Wings event that we’ve been told is a lot of fun. August 2020

Osceola, Wisconsin

KOVS Boscobel Municipal

Venturing south of the metro for a day trip with our toddler, we selected an airport that promised courtesy cars - and indeed, we found three upon arrival. Fuel was available, and the airport was active (we were wished a good day on the radio when we left the pattern). The FBO is new, bright, and clean, and the airport has a proud history and community, well documented on the walls. We drove into town and had a delicious (not to be confused with fancy) lunch at the Unique Cafe, then stopped at two playgrounds, in the spirit of the day. The bluffs were lovely and we found the surrounding community to be small and friendly. July 2020

Boscobel, Wisconsin

KRGK Red Wing Regional

Although the town of Red Wing is in Minnesota, the airport is across the river in Wisconsin. There are beautiful views of the surrounding fields and towns and the Mississippi River, and it is a lovely place to stop if you need fuel or want to stretch your legs. March 2021

Red Wing, Minnesota

KRNH New Richmond Regional

This small airport has a comfortable FBO and reasonably priced fuel is typically available. It is close to the Twin Cities while just rural enough to allow for a beautiful view of rivers, fields, and farms. We took a short evening flight here late this summer, adding a simple sunset feature to the need to find fuel. September 2020

New Richmond, Wisconsin

KRRL Merrill Municipal

Flying from the Twin Cities to Door County, we stopped in Merrill for fuel. There’s a new building, with both a piano and a fireplace in the lobby, plus a generous range of snacks available on an honor system. There seemed to be full FBO services in a second building at the other end of the taxiway. April 2021

Merrill, Wisconsin

KRZN Burnett county

There are two paved runways in good condition, although our stop required us to back-taxi for departure. Known for low fuel prices, there was some activity on a Sunday afternoon in the fall and a short wait at the fuel pumps. Staffed FBO and courtesy cars available; this is a convenient stop between the Twin Cities and Duluth or on the way to the North Shore and various points in Wisconsin. September 2019

Siren, Wisconsin

KSUE Door County Cherryland

We flew into Door County from the north, traveling down the peninsula to arrive at the grandly named Cherryland Airport. The scenery flying in was absolutely incredible, and the location is a few miles from Sturgeon Bay. The FBO is well-resourced, with a gas fireplace and leather couches, busy staff hurrying around, full-service fuel, and an active scene of private jets coming and going. We visited the impressive maritime museum in town and grabbed a sandwich. Ground transportation must be planned ahead - arrange to borrow or rent a car, bring a bike, or prepare for a 4-mile walk to lunch. June 2020

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

KUBE Cumberland Municipal

We took a scenic flight to check out the new location of a family cabin from above and stopped in at Cumberland to check it out for future stops. The FBO was clean and well-loved: there was a notebook in which someone has noted the weather, daily, for years. Also - an impressive display of mugs from Oshkosh, and inexplicably, what appeared to be some sort of medical or dental chair. Fuel and a courtesy car were available; relatively active on a sunny Saturday morning. June 2020

Cumberland, Wisconsin

KY23 municipal-Southworth

Update, June 2020: Discovered bleachers and concessions for an award-winning waterski team that performs within walking distance of the airport!

Beautiful approach over the water when landing on runway 17. The runway is in good condition; the displaced threshold required us to back-taxi to fuel and the small FBO. The playground, park, and a lake with swimming are immediately next to the airport. We took a courtesy car into town and had a lovely lunch and a stroll. This is a really great family destination. October 2019

Chetek, Wisconsin

…And more Airports!

K3H4 Hillsboro Municipal

The bulk of our avionics upgrades occurred at this very small airport just north of Fargo. It has almost constant UND traffic and is in the midst of a related expansion of runways and taxiways. Fuel and courtesy cars are both available; we went into town for Subway and ate it in the clean and comfortable FBO, which is actively used as a break room and meeting space for the airport commission and various airport businesses. May 2020

Hillsboro, North Dakota

KMCD Mackinac Island

The airport at Mackinac Island, much like the island itself, is unusual in many ways. It is a state park property, and when we landed, there was a horse-drawn taxi pulling up to the picturesque building that functions as the FBO. There is no fuel at this airport, which is located in the center of the island and surrounded by tall trees. Pilots are supposed to “conduct all maneuvers” over the water, which makes for a wide traffic pattern. There is a landing fee and an overnight fee, and the town is less than two miles away (on foot, by bicycle, or via horse-drawn taxi, which you can call for upon arrival). July 2020

Mackinac Island, Michigan