Albert Lea Municipal Airport

Albert Lea Municipal Airport (IATA: AEL, ICAO: KAEL, FAA LID: AEL) is three miles (6 km) north of Albert Lea, in Freeborn County, Minnesota.[1]

"KAEL" redirects here. For the bassist from rock band Five Finger Death Punch, see Chris Kael.
For information on the city, see Albert Lea, Minnesota.
Albert Lea Municipal Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerCity of Albert Lea
ServesAlbert Lea, Minnesota
Elevation AMSL1,261 ft / 384 m
Coordinates43°40′52″N 093°22′05″W
Websitewww.cityofalbertlea.org
Map
AEL
AEL
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
17/35 5,000 1,524 Asphalt
5/23 2,898 883 Asphalt
Statistics (2011)
Aircraft operations26,175
Based aircraft52

Albert Lea Municipal Airport was granted over $3 million in federal funds to relocate the main runway, which followed another announcement about a grant to rehabilitate the crosswind runway. Work began in 2011 and was completed within a year. The old runway which parallels the new runway was converted to serve as the new runway's taxiway.

Facilities

The airport covers 273 acres (110 ha) at an elevation of 1,261 feet (384 m). It has two asphalt runways: 17/35 is 5,000 by 100 feet (1,524 x 30 m) and 5/23 is 2,898 by 75 feet (883 x 23 m).[1]

In the year ending September 30, 2011 the airport had 26,175 aircraft operations, average 71 per day: 91% general aviation, 8% air taxi and 1% military. 52 aircraft were then based at the airport: 75% single-engine, 5% multi-engine, 5% glider and 15% ultralight.[1]

Soaring contests

Albert Lea Airport hosts soaring contests, usually the week after Mother's Day in May. The airport is the only site in the United States to have hosted all seven classes of glider competition.

  • 1992 U.S. Region 7 Contest
  • 1993 1-26 Championships
  • 1995 U.S. Sports Class Nationals
  • 1997 U.S. 15 meter Nationals
  • 1999 U.S. World Class Nationals and Region 7 Contest
  • 2002 U.S. Region 7 Contest
  • 2005 U.S. Region 7 Contest
  • 2007 U.S. Open Class Nationals, 18 meter Nationals, and Region 7 Sport Class Contest
  • 2015 U.S. Region 7 Contest
  • 2016 U.S. Region 7 Contest
  • 2018 U.S. Region 7 Contest
  • 2019 U.S. 20 meter Multi-place Nationals and Region 7 Contest

From 1990-2008 Albert Lea was the host site for the International Aerobatic Club[2] Doug Yost Challenge Aerobatic Competition. This contest was moved to Spencer, Iowa due to construction in the area needed for the contest.

References
  1. FAA Airport Form 5010 for AEL PDF, effective 2014-02-06.
  2. International Aerobatic Club Chapter 78
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