Mankato Regional Mankato Regional AirportAirportSohler FieldSohler Field

John EnterJohn Enter

Eric CriswellEric Criswell

HistoryHistory

• 1910-1920s aviation 1910-1920s aviation slowly developed in slowly developed in southern Minnesotasouthern Minnesota

• Early aviators used Early aviators used cow pastures for cow pastures for runwaysrunways

• 1927 Lawrence 1927 Lawrence Joseph Sohler Joseph Sohler advocated for advocated for investment in investment in AirportAirport

HistoryHistory

• Charles Lindbergh Charles Lindbergh occasionally flew into occasionally flew into Mankato as airmail pilotMankato as airmail pilot

• 1920s Air mail was utilized 1920s Air mail was utilized to connect southern to connect southern Minnesota with the Twin Minnesota with the Twin CitiesCities

• Located south of city on top of hill near Located south of city on top of hill near MSU campusMSU campus

• Student housing sits on ground previously Student housing sits on ground previously used by airportused by airport

• 1970 airport moved to current 1970 airport moved to current locationlocation

• 1991 Runways expanded to current size 1991 Runways expanded to current size and approach navigation systems were and approach navigation systems were addedadded

• 1997 Airport terminal expanded1997 Airport terminal expanded

• 2002 - New hangers just completed2002 - New hangers just completed

Airport influence on Airport influence on MankatoMankato• Has hosted air shows Has hosted air shows

includingincluding– Navy Blue AngelsNavy Blue Angels– Air force ThunderbirdsAir force Thunderbirds– Canadian SnowbirdsCanadian Snowbirds

Airport influence on Airport influence on MankatoMankato• More than 100 different companies More than 100 different companies

travel to Mankato via airplanestravel to Mankato via airplanes• More than 1000 FAA Pilot licenses have More than 1000 FAA Pilot licenses have

been issued to local Mankato pilotsbeen issued to local Mankato pilots• Over 85 people depend on the Mankato Over 85 people depend on the Mankato

Regional airport for jobsRegional airport for jobs

Present dayPresent day

• Over 50 aircraft base at the Mankato airportOver 50 aircraft base at the Mankato airport

• Airport is 920 acresAirport is 920 acres

• 2 runways 2 runways – (15/33 – 5,400’x100’) – (4/22 – 4,000’x75’)(15/33 – 5,400’x100’) – (4/22 – 4,000’x75’)

Present dayPresent day

Present dayPresent day

MSU InfluenceMSU Influence

• Over 300 students in MSU aviation Over 300 students in MSU aviation programprogram

• MSU Students are largest MSU Students are largest contributors to the economy of the contributors to the economy of the airportairport

MSU InfluenceMSU Influence• Over 10 aircraft are based at Over 10 aircraft are based at

the Mankato airport for the Mankato airport for student usestudent use

MSU InfluenceMSU Influence• MSU Houses 4 Instrument training MSU Houses 4 Instrument training

simulators at the airportsimulators at the airport

ConclusionConclusion

• The Mankato Regional Airport plays a The Mankato Regional Airport plays a vital role in the city of Mankatovital role in the city of Mankato

• It influences the economic well-being It influences the economic well-being of our businessesof our businesses

• Enables many MSU students to train Enables many MSU students to train for future careers in aviationfor future careers in aviation

• Connects people of Mankato to the Connects people of Mankato to the Midwest and beyondMidwest and beyond

““Flying tour” of MankatoFlying tour” of Mankato

““Flying tour” of MankatoFlying tour” of Mankato

““Flying tour” of MankatoFlying tour” of Mankato

““Flying tour” of MankatoFlying tour” of Mankato

Questions?Questions?

The end