Fergus Falls Municipal Airport

Fergus Falls Municipal Airport (IATA: FFM, ICAO: KFFM, FAA LID: FFM), also known as Einar Mickelson Field, is a public airport located three miles (5 km) west of the central business district (CBD) of Fergus Falls, a city in Otter Tail County, Minnesota, United States. It covers 731 acres (296 ha) and has two runways. It is primarily used for general aviation. The airport was formerly served by Northwest Airlink and United Express.

Fergus Falls Municipal Airport

Einar Mickelson Field
Summary
Airport typePublic
OperatorCity of Fergus Falls
LocationFergus Falls, Minnesota
Elevation AMSL1,182 ft / 360.3 m
Coordinates46°17′04″N 96°09′24″W
Map
FFM is located in Minnesota
FFM
FFM
Location of airport in Minnesota/United States
FFM is located in the United States
FFM
FFM
FFM (the United States)
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
13/31 5,639 1,719 Asphalt
17/35 3,301 1,006 Asphalt
Statistics (2008)
Aircraft operations8,550
Based aircraft42

History

Initial plans for an airfield in Fergus Falls began in 1927.[1] In 1928, a tract of land west of the city of Fergus Falls was leased for use as a municipal airport.[2] When the farmer who owned that land decided to grow wheat there in 1934, the city was forced to relocate the airport.[3]

After World War II, plans were developed for construction of a new airport dedicated in honor of Flying Tiger Einar Mickelson and, "all the other Fergus Falls airmen who lost their lives in the Second World War."[4] The airport and airfield were formally dedicated on September 19, 1948.[5][6] The first airliner landed there in 1953. It was a DC-3 from North Central Airlines.[7]

A new 4,800 foot runway was added in 1980.[8] A new arrival-departure building at the airport opened up in 1983.[9]

Aircraft operations

As of July 31, 2011 there were 47 aircraft based at the airport with an average 23 aircraft operations per day. 85% were general aviation, 13% were air taxi and 1% was military. There were 41 single engine aircraft, 3 multi-engine and 3 ultralight aircraft based at the airport.

Cargo
AirlinesDestinations
Bemidji Airlines Minneapolis/St. Paul
UPS Minneapolis/St. Paul

See also

References
  1. "To Arrange For Landing Field". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. October 18, 1927. p. 7.
  2. "Land Is Leased By City For Municipal Airport". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. August 28, 1928. p. 4.
  3. "NEW AIRPORT IS PROPOSED". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. April 9, 1934.
  4. Broschat, Myron (1996). "A "Flying Tiger"". Otter Tail Record. 15 (1): 4.
  5. "Attending Dedication of Einar Mickelson Field at Fergus Falls Airport". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. September 20, 1948.
  6. "Airport named after 'Hump' flyer". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. March 25, 1983. p. 6.
  7. "1,500 Witness First Airliner Arrival Here". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. January 2, 1953.
  8. "New runway". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. July 30, 1980.
  9. Walkup, Pat (September 6, 1983). "New airport facility is motive for two-day aircraft extravaganza". Fergus Falls Daily Journal. p. 21.


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