Flying Cloud Airport, located in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, is one of six relievers owned and operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) – and one of the busiest airports in the reliever system. Flying Cloud has a strong reputation for serving the needs of busy corporate executives and their flight crews; most of its business comes from corporate business jets and turbo-props.
In 2010, Flying Cloud Airport recorded more than 90,000 takeoffs and landings, down from previous years, when it has down from previous years, when it has averaged well over 100,000 operations annually. The decrease may reflect the change in corporate air traffic resulting from a weaker economy.
Flying Cloud uses and FAA-operated control tower and an instrument landing system. A precision instrument approach is available to Runway 10R, and non-precision instrument approach is available to Runway 10R, 28L, 28R, and 36. The airport also has a published precision instrument approach procedure for helicopters. Several full-service operators offer corporate aircraft services, recreational flight training, and aircraft charter, rental, sales, and maintenance.
Airport manager Jeff Nawrocki says Flying Cloud’s most valuable asset is the multitude of resources it offers–not only traditional services but also on-demand charter flights, traffic and news reporting, corporate and business services, flight clubs, Civil Air Patrol, and agricultural airport services.
Flying Cloud was established in 1941 when the United States Navy was training pilots for World War II. The Navy arranged with a local farmer, Martin “Pappy” Grill, to use a grass landing strip for pilots flying from World-Chamberlain Airport (now MSP International) to practice approaches. After the war, Grill sold the field and some adjoining land. It was named “Flying Cloud Airport” to reflect both local American Indian lore and flying.
The MAC bought the airport in 1948 and paved the runway that same year. In 1963, it built a control tower and by 1966, Flying Cloud was ranked the second-busiest airport in the central United States, behind Chicago-O’Hare. In 1968, with 446,198 takeoffs and landings, it was the ninth-busiest airport in the United States.
Flying Cloud went through a major security change in 2005 to both address security at the airport and manage runway incursions. The most significant security improvements have been installation of an airport perimeter fence and the addition of a card access system with motorized gates.
Flying Cloud has focused on airport infrastructure of the last five years, Nawrocki noted. Several recent projects allow for continued safe operations at the airport while meeting its forecasted needs, including
- North parallel runway (10L-28R) extended to 3,900 feet in 2008
- South parallel runway (10R-28L) extended to 5,000 feet and widened to 100 feet in 2009
- VOR facility relocated across Flying Cloud Drive in 2009
- Runway 10R glide slope and MALSR systems relocated with runway extension in 2009
- Construction of a south building area, associated taxiways, and vehicle driveways in 2009
- Construction of west and east perimeter roads in 2009
The most pressing needs for Flying Cloud Airport are a possible shift and extension of Runway 18-36 to accommodate obstructions and construction of a north perimeter road around the same runway to reduce the number of runway crossings by vehicles. The airport and the FAA may move the tower to a new location in the south building area and are also considering developing adjacent land for generating revenue. In addition, completion of the south building utilities would allow for more corporate hangars.
A video highlighting Flying Cloud’s features can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=hso8OqKU4OE
