Recent satellite imagery has the main runway 10/28 covered in prefab housing, as indicated in the current AirNav entry (closed indefinitely). The former apron has a heliport indicator and appears to remain in use.
RWY 3/21 surface in poor condition. Landed RWY 26 (which is in good condition) and rather than exit on RWY 21 to access the parallel taxiway, we back-taxied on RWY 08 and exited midfield on the taxiway.
Traveling due West I ran head on it to worsening weather. spun around and tried to get back in the clear but the sky opened up and the worst rain I've ever encountered began to fall. Flash flood stuff. immediately headed toward the closest airport (Three Forks). Landed with plenty of thunder and lightening. Moral of the story. You can watch the weather very closely (I DID) and still get bushwhacked! Thank you Garmin!
The day I landed here I got a great workout with a 25 mph direct cross wind. So windy when I needed to leave, I decided to use a farmers field not the airstrip. Small crop duster strip. Decent pilot lounge.
Great FBO. Had a courtesy car for us and found us a room when none were available. However, I would not stop there for anything but fuel in the future.
Reply to @Tony: As far as the approach goes, I agree. I and many other pilots land to the East. I feel it is a much better and safer approach. I assume the recommendation to land to the East is because in the event of a go-around, you may have to head to the right to avoid the rising terrain, and fly out over the river. This would not be a problem unless you were very low and 2/3rds of the way down the strip before deciding to go around. In my opinion, you need to commit one or the other way before that.
If you land on runway 7, you can fly around the corner down the river a ways, and set up a nice base-to-final approach, (of course announcing your actions on 122.9.) Then, you can come straight in on final, and clear the trees, and by the time you get down, you have avoided the extended West end of the strip, which is fairly rough. You can still ususually get stopped by the Ranger Station gate, well before the tiedowns at the East end near the campground.
I would not recommend taking off to the East unless you have a good short-field airplane, and the wind is significant from the East, which is rare here.
Gary
re: your data on EKS is out dated see information for Ennis
One of the nicest places to land and camp at. The approach is a little unorthodox, a curved base/final to stay clear of the terrain. If you drag it in, you might lose sight of the runway, but if you like to slip you can come in very steeply from the East side.
Lots of wildlife on and around the strip, deer wander through your campsite at all times of the day. The Ranger at the station is very helpful with ideas of where to hike, what to see. They are always ready for a visit, the historic ranger station is right at mid-field.
Don't go here to practice your touch & goes, you will just piss off the numerous hikers and campers who are in the protected wilderness area. And the Ranger takes note.
Good strip to practice on before going further afield
The Fly Montana guidebook describes this strip as a good place to practice on, the field is outside of the protected wilderness area and a road runs right alongside it. Practice your backcountry approaches and higher altitude takeoffs and landings here before venturing into the more pristine (and protected) backcountry strips.
Refueled here at the municipal self-serve pump (West end of the ramp). There are pumps at the FBO on the East end of the ramp but their avgas was much more expensive. Aug 2009.
Although it does not look like there are any other facilities, there is a curious blue Quonsot-style structure outside the fence that is actually the airport manager's office. There is a toilet, phone and internet in his building. He also has wifi that you can access.
I flew there from YMJ in a CT-114 Tutor (spring 1979), while taking my pilot training. We were in a 4-plane formation. Wx was broken clouds getting here... On the way back, we entered clouds at about 2000 ft and stayed in until about a 2-mile ILS final in YMJ, in the same 4-plane box formation until we were about 20 miles from YMJ, when we broke into 2 x 2-planes elements. At that time, I had less than 200 hrs total flying time; this trip cost me a whole lot of sweat!
Get a good weather briefing if you are flying into or out of Billings. The airport sits on top of a hill and the weather can change rapidly. There is much higher terrrain nearby on all sides and there can be unexpected turbulence.
If you are heading West into the mountains, stop here to get a weather update and suggestions from the FSS briefer on what route is best for low level VFR flight. If the forecast winds or cloud base make you uncomfortable, stay in Billings until conditions improve.
A great fuel stop - self serve fuel at a good price, and a nice pilots lounge with a courtesy vehicle. Everything is on the honour system - please don't abuse it!
I crossed the border at Coutts Alberta (CEP4) in July 06. There is a little grass runway that runs East-West right along the border, the US side of the border is Sweetgrass Montana (7S8). The highway border crossing is only 100 yards away, so the agent just walks over, like at Piney in Manitoba. I think THY was parked with the tailwheel in Canada and the front tires in the US. The border runs along the side of the runway.
There are several little air strips like this between Chilliwack BC and Piney in Manitoba. Because they are only yards from a customs office, they only require one hour advance notice (to avoid that $5000US fine). Check the AOPA International Operations website or the AOPA Airport Guide for the latest advance notice requirements for the specific airport.
When I phoned to give my one-hour notice, the US Customs agent asked me to confirm I was flying a taildragger and suggested I should not land here if it was wet, since it can be very rough.
Montana, United States
Wikipedia
Latest comments about airports in Montana, United States
Error
🔗 Sun, 06 Aug 2023
— Anonymous Flyer at Ford's South Airport, United States
I flew in to MSO and drove out and there was no airport around, if my comment is a error please tell me.
Amazing scenery
🔗 Thu, 11 May 2023
— @wolfgangx at Polson Airport, United States
The views coming into this airport are incredible!
Converted to heliport.
🔗 Thu, 15 Dec 2022
— @animebirder at Fort Belknap Agency Heliport, United States
Recent satellite imagery has the main runway 10/28 covered in prefab housing, as indicated in the current AirNav entry (closed indefinitely). The former apron has a heliport indicator and appears to remain in use.
MLK 272 Off Air
🔗 Sat, 29 Oct 2016
— Anonymous Flyer at Malta Airport, United States
NDB MLK 272 last heard Mar 2015. No NOTAM.
Avoid RWY 3/21
🔗 Sun, 12 Jun 2016
— @AviMentor at Lewistown Municipal Airport, United States
RWY 3/21 surface in poor condition. Landed RWY 26 (which is in good condition) and rather than exit on RWY 21 to access the parallel taxiway, we back-taxied on RWY 08 and exited midfield on the taxiway.
Great stop
🔗 Fri, 02 Oct 2015
— @pilotal at Helena Regional Airport, United States
Great fuel prices, great lounge, bunk beds, and a great van. Please take advantage I tell them how nice it is.
Woo hoo! Three forks saved the day!
🔗 Tue, 16 Sep 2014
— @Pilot_1975 at Three Forks Airport, United States
Traveling due West I ran head on it to worsening weather. spun around and tried to get back in the clear but the sky opened up and the worst rain I've ever encountered began to fall. Flash flood stuff. immediately headed toward the closest airport (Three Forks). Landed with plenty of thunder and lightening. Moral of the story. You can watch the weather very closely (I DID) and still get bushwhacked! Thank you Garmin!
woo hoo
🔗 Mon, 14 Oct 2013
— @Pilot_1975 at Scobey Airport, United States
The day I landed here I got a great workout with a 25 mph direct cross wind. So windy when I needed to leave, I decided to use a farmers field not the airstrip. Small crop duster strip. Decent pilot lounge.
Waste
🔗 Mon, 14 Oct 2013
— @Pilot_1975 at Glasgow Valley County Airport Wokal Field, United States
Great example of our bloated wasteful government. Over staffed by government workers for "TWO" airline passengers? Really!? Small wonder we're broke.
Broadus has had an NDB for years!
🔗 Wed, 01 May 2013
— Anonymous Flyer at Broadus Airport, United States
The NDB is "Broadus", BDX 335 kHz. L/L is N 45 26 09 x W 105 24 40
Convenient
🔗 Mon, 05 Nov 2012
— @VE6TDH at Kalispell City Airport, United States
Accommodation and restaurants within walking distance. Runway and taxiways need upgrading.
Lewistown NDB Decommissioned
🔗 Thu, 02 Feb 2012
— Anonymous Flyer at Lewistown Municipal Airport, United States
LWT 353 kHz was decommissioned Nov 2008.
Accommodations
🔗 Sun, 29 Jan 2012
— @ddkkrew at Sidney - Richland Regional Airport, United States
Great FBO. Had a courtesy car for us and found us a room when none were available. However, I would not stop there for anything but fuel in the future.
Runway
🔗 Sun, 29 Jan 2012
— @ddkkrew at Seeley Lake Airport, United States
Very nice grass runway. Well maintained.
N3962T
🔗 Sun, 29 Jan 2012
— @ddkkrew at Shelby Airport, United States
This is where I purchased my current plane in 2007.
Home Airport
🔗 Sun, 29 Jan 2012
— @ddkkrew at Havre City County Airport, United States
This is where I keep N3962T
re: Malta Apt NDB
🔗 Sun, 04 Dec 2011
— @david at Malta Airport, United States
Added - thank you very much for the update.
http://www.ourairports.com/navaids/MLK/Malta_NDB_US/
Malta Apt NDB
🔗 Wed, 02 Nov 2011
— Anonymous Flyer at Malta Airport, United States
MLK 272 kHz is not shown on your map. N48 22 08 W107 55 02
re: Beautiful Place!
🔗 Sun, 14 Aug 2011
— Anonymous Flyer at Schafer USFS Airport, United States
Reply to @Tony: As far as the approach goes, I agree. I and many other pilots land to the East. I feel it is a much better and safer approach. I assume the recommendation to land to the East is because in the event of a go-around, you may have to head to the right to avoid the rising terrain, and fly out over the river. This would not be a problem unless you were very low and 2/3rds of the way down the strip before deciding to go around. In my opinion, you need to commit one or the other way before that.
If you land on runway 7, you can fly around the corner down the river a ways, and set up a nice base-to-final approach, (of course announcing your actions on 122.9.) Then, you can come straight in on final, and clear the trees, and by the time you get down, you have avoided the extended West end of the strip, which is fairly rough. You can still ususually get stopped by the Ranger Station gate, well before the tiedowns at the East end near the campground.
I would not recommend taking off to the East unless you have a good short-field airplane, and the wind is significant from the East, which is rare here.
Gary
re: your data on EKS is out dated see information for Ennis
🔗 Wed, 29 Jun 2011
— @prattsoplenty at Ennis Big Sky Airport, United States
Thanks for pointing that out. The correct information has been updated.
your data on EKS is out dated see information for Ennis
🔗 Mon, 27 Jun 2011
— Anonymous Flyer at Ennis Big Sky Airport, United States
Runway 16/34 Information
Dimensions: 6600 x 75 FEET
Surface: ASPHALT, NEW
Weight bearing capacity:
SINGLE WHEEL 12, 500 LBS
Runway edge lights: MEDIUM INTENSITY
Runway edge markings: 16/34 1000 FT FIXED DISTANCE MARKERS EACH END.
RUNWAY 16 RUNWAY 34
Latitude: 45-17'-00.179"N 45-15'-55.146"N
Longitude: 111-38'-58.623"W 111-38'-53.168"W
Elevation: 5422.9 FEET 5348.7 FEET
Traffic pattern: RIGHT LEFT
Runway heading: 163 MAGNETIC, 177 TRUE 343 MAGNETIC, 357 TRUE
Markings: NDI, NEW NDI, NEW
Visual slope indicator: 2-LIGHT PAPI ON LEFT(3.00 DEGREES GLIDE PATH) 2-LIGHT PAPI ON LEFT(3.00 DEGREES GLIDE PATH)
Touchdown point: YES, NO LIGHTS YES, NO LIGHTS
Obstructions: NONE NONE
Film Location
🔗 Mon, 22 Mar 2010
— @douglasr at Libby Airport, United States
This was the airport used for the 1989 movie "Always" -- http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096794/
This data come from the current FAA database.
🔗 Mon, 15 Mar 2010
— Anonymous Flyer at Riverside Heliport, United States
Check it out
code MT10
🔗 Wed, 16 Dec 2009
— @rrobledo at Riverside Heliport, United States
The FAA uses 'MT10' for Riverside Heliport, Sebring, FL
Beautiful Place!
🔗 Sat, 29 Aug 2009
— @Tony at Schafer USFS Airport, United States
One of the nicest places to land and camp at. The approach is a little unorthodox, a curved base/final to stay clear of the terrain. If you drag it in, you might lose sight of the runway, but if you like to slip you can come in very steeply from the East side.
Lots of wildlife on and around the strip, deer wander through your campsite at all times of the day. The Ranger at the station is very helpful with ideas of where to hike, what to see. They are always ready for a visit, the historic ranger station is right at mid-field.
Don't go here to practice your touch & goes, you will just piss off the numerous hikers and campers who are in the protected wilderness area. And the Ranger takes note.
Good strip to practice on before going further afield
🔗 Sat, 29 Aug 2009
— @Tony at Spotted Bear USFS Airport, United States
The Fly Montana guidebook describes this strip as a good place to practice on, the field is outside of the protected wilderness area and a road runs right alongside it. Practice your backcountry approaches and higher altitude takeoffs and landings here before venturing into the more pristine (and protected) backcountry strips.
Inexpensive Fuel, basic facilities
🔗 Sat, 29 Aug 2009
— @Tony at Laurel Municipal Airport, United States
Refueled here at the municipal self-serve pump (West end of the ramp). There are pumps at the FBO on the East end of the ramp but their avgas was much more expensive. Aug 2009.
Although it does not look like there are any other facilities, there is a curious blue Quonsot-style structure outside the fence that is actually the airport manager's office. There is a toilet, phone and internet in his building. He also has wifi that you can access.
GFA
🔗 Sat, 20 Dec 2008
— @32Aret at Malmstrom Air Force Base, United States
I flew there from YMJ in a CT-114 Tutor (spring 1979), while taking my pilot training. We were in a 4-plane formation. Wx was broken clouds getting here... On the way back, we entered clouds at about 2000 ft and stayed in until about a 2-mile ILS final in YMJ, in the same 4-plane box formation until we were about 20 miles from YMJ, when we broke into 2 x 2-planes elements. At that time, I had less than 200 hrs total flying time; this trip cost me a whole lot of sweat!
Runway closed; heliport only
🔗 Wed, 03 Sep 2008
— @david at Malmstrom Air Force Base, United States
The runway is closed, so this airport is available only as a heliport. Permission required, but customs services are available.
Weather
🔗 Mon, 23 Jul 2007
— @Tony at Billings Logan International Airport, United States
Get a good weather briefing if you are flying into or out of Billings. The airport sits on top of a hill and the weather can change rapidly. There is much higher terrrain nearby on all sides and there can be unexpected turbulence.
If you are heading West into the mountains, stop here to get a weather update and suggestions from the FSS briefer on what route is best for low level VFR flight. If the forecast winds or cloud base make you uncomfortable, stay in Billings until conditions improve.
Mustang Mickey's - Great FBO
🔗 Mon, 23 Jul 2007
— @Tony at Helena Regional Airport, United States
A great fuel stop - self serve fuel at a good price, and a nice pilots lounge with a courtesy vehicle. Everything is on the honour system - please don't abuse it!
Clear US Customs here going to the USA
🔗 Sat, 21 Jul 2007
— @Tony at Ross International Airport, United States
I crossed the border at Coutts Alberta (CEP4) in July 06. There is a little grass runway that runs East-West right along the border, the US side of the border is Sweetgrass Montana (7S8). The highway border crossing is only 100 yards away, so the agent just walks over, like at Piney in Manitoba. I think THY was parked with the tailwheel in Canada and the front tires in the US. The border runs along the side of the runway.
There are several little air strips like this between Chilliwack BC and Piney in Manitoba. Because they are only yards from a customs office, they only require one hour advance notice (to avoid that $5000US fine). Check the AOPA International Operations website or the AOPA Airport Guide for the latest advance notice requirements for the specific airport.
When I phoned to give my one-hour notice, the US Customs agent asked me to confirm I was flying a taildragger and suggested I should not land here if it was wet, since it can be very rough.
All comments