Flying Cloud Airport is the busiest airport in the MAC reliever system, with over 100,000 operations per year. If you fly in the Twin Cities, you'll end up here eventually. Whether you're a student pilot on your first solo cross-country or a corporate crew repositioning a Citation, here's everything you need to know about FCM.
The Basics
Flying Cloud sits in Eden Prairie, about 10 miles southwest of downtown Minneapolis. It's served by three runways, an FAA-operated control tower, and a dense cluster of FBOs, flight schools, and maintenance shops along Pioneer Trail on the north side of the field.
Identifier: FCM / KFCM Elevation: 906 ft MSL Airspace: Class D, under Minneapolis Class B Tower Hours: 6 AM - 9 PM (winter), 6 AM - 10 PM (summer)
Runways
Runway 10R/28L: 5,000 ft x 100 ft — the primary runway, extended and widened in 2009. Precision approach available on 10R.
Runway 10L/28R: 3,900 ft x 75 ft — extended in 2008. Closed when the tower is closed. Non-precision approaches available on 28R.
Runway 18/36: 2,691 ft x 75 ft — the crosswind runway. Watch for the hot spot near the Taxiway A intersection — pilots frequently miss the hold short markings.
What to Watch For
FCM is busy and the parallel runways are closely spaced. A few things to keep in mind:
Wrong surface landings happen here. The parallel taxiways and runways can look similar, especially at night. Back up every visual approach with an instrument approach if available. Remember: runway markings are white, taxiway markings are yellow.
Hold short of 18/36 on Taxiway A. This is a documented hot spot. Enhanced taxiway centerline markings and wig-wag lights are installed, but pilots still blow through it. Pay attention.
Expect traffic. Four flight schools operate at FCM. The pattern is often full with training aircraft. VFR traffic should descend to 2,000 ft as soon as practicable. Don't overshoot your base-to-final turn — there may be traffic landing the other parallel.
Speed limit. Do not exceed 250 knots below 10,000 feet in the FCM area due to mixed traffic types.
FBOs and Services
FCM has more aviation businesses per square foot than almost any reliever airport in the Midwest. Here's what's on the field:
Thunderbird Aviation — The anchor FBO since 1962. Full-service fuel (100LL and Jet-A), flight training, charter, maintenance, and hangar rental. The default choice for many local pilots.
Premier Jet Center — The business aviation FBO. Largest hangar on the field at 35,000 sq ft. Part 145 repair station. Pilatus, Cirrus, and Kodiak service center. If you're flying a turbine, this is your stop.
AV8 Flight School — The only school in Minnesota with both airplane and helicopter training. No membership fees.
Inflight Pilot Training — Modern flight school with an active training operation. Also manages FBO services on the east side of the field.
AV8 Modern Avionics — Avionics sales, installation, and repair since 1985. Garmin dealer and Cirrus authorized service center.
Elliott Aviation — MRO services for business aircraft. Airframe, avionics, paint, and interior.
Noise Sensitivity
FCM is surrounded by residential neighborhoods in Eden Prairie. The airport has a detailed noise abatement plan and an Operational Implementation Agreement with the city. Fly the published procedures, avoid unnecessary low passes, and check the Fly Neighborly guide before your first visit.
Getting There by Car
From I-494, take Exit 11A and follow signs for Flying Cloud Drive. Turn left at the top of the ramp, then right onto Pioneer Trail. Most businesses are along Pioneer Trail on the north side of the airport.
Airport Manager: Robert Dockry Airport Phone: (952) 944-1035