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| Alcona County Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Alcona County Airport |
| Icao | KLCX |
| Faa | 2E0 |
| Type | Public |
| Owner | Alcona County |
| City-served | Harrisville, Michigan |
| Location | Haynes Township, Alcona County, Michigan |
| Elevation-f | 767 |
| Elevation-m | 234 |
| Pushpin label | 2E0 |
| Runway1 number | 9/27 |
| Runway1 length ft | 4,300 |
| Runway1 surface | Asphalt |
Alcona County Airport is a public-use airport located in Haynes Township, Alcona County, Michigan, serving the village of Harrisville, Michigan and surrounding communities on the Lake Huron shoreline. Owned by Alcona County, the field provides general aviation, flight training, emergency services, and seasonal recreational access for private and charter aircraft. The airport operates as a community gateway for visitors to Huron National Forest, Silver Lake State Park, and the regional ferry connections to the Great Lakes islands.
The airport property was acquired by Alcona County in the mid-20th century amid regional infrastructure expansion influenced by post-war aviation growth and state transportation initiatives. Early development paralleled projects undertaken by the Civil Aeronautics Authority and later coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration for funding and safety standards. Runway improvements, navigational aid installations, and terminal enhancements occurred in phases during the 1970s and 1990s, reflecting local responses to tourism tied to Lake Huron recreational boating, Au Sable River fishing, and seasonal festivals in Harrisville, Michigan. Community efforts and county commissions engaged with state-level agencies such as the Michigan Department of Transportation to secure grants and compliance with Federal Aviation Regulations. Over decades the field has hosted aviation outreach events in coordination with organizations like the Experimental Aircraft Association and Civil Air Patrol squadrons based in northern Michigan.
The airport encompasses an asphalt runway designated 9/27 measuring approximately 4,300 by 75 feet, suitable for single-engine and light twin aircraft including models from manufacturers such as Cessna, Piper Aircraft, Beechcraft, Cirrus Aircraft, and Diamond Aircraft. Facilities include a modest terminal, hangar space occupied by private owners and aero clubs, refueling services providing 100LL avgas, and seasonal tie-downs. On-field operators have included flight schools offering instruction toward certificates issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and maintenance shops certified under Part 145 provisions. The airport supports aerial firefighting staging for state resources tied to Michigan Department of Natural Resources operations and emergency medical flights coordinated with regional providers like Munson Healthcare and air ambulance operators. Wildlife management programs have occurred in concert with Michigan Department of Natural Resources and local conservation groups to reduce bird strike risk near migratory corridors along Lake Huron.
The facility does not host scheduled commercial airline service; instead, it functions as a general aviation reliever for scheduled carriers operating at larger regional airports such as Cherry Capital Airport, MBS International Airport, and Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport. Charter flights and on-demand air taxi operations using air carriers regulated by the Department of Transportation have provided links to metropolitan hubs including Detroit Metropolitan Airport, Grand Rapids Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport. Seasonal sightseeing flights and recreational charter operators coordinate with local tourism boards and marinas servicing Thunder Bay boating routes and coastal resorts.
Annual aircraft operations predominantly consist of local general aviation, flight training, agricultural aerial application, and occasional military touch-and-go training from units assigned to bases like Selfridge Air National Guard Base and regional National Guard detachments. Statistics reported to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems and state aviation inventories indicate fluctuating based on tourism trends, with peak movements during summer months aligned with Memorial Day to Labor Day recreational travel. Based aircraft include single-engine pistons, a limited number of multi-engine airplanes, and rotary-wing aircraft used for medical evacuation and law enforcement missions partnered with agencies such as the Alcona County Sheriff's Office.
Recorded incidents at the airport have involved general aviation aircraft during phases of takeoff or landing, often investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration. Contributing factors in past reports have included reduced visibility from Lake Huron fog, wildlife incursions, and mechanical failures typical of small GA operations. Emergency response exercises have been conducted with local fire departments, Alcona County Emergency Management, and regional hospitals to refine crash response and patient evacuation procedures.
Ground access is provided via county roads connecting to US Route 23 and state highways serving the northeastern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Rental car services, local taxi providers, and volunteer driver programs from Harrisville, Michigan offer visitor connections to area attractions including Negwegon State Park, local marinas, and historic lighthouses that are part of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Trail. Seasonal shuttle arrangements and partnerships with regional tour operators facilitate transport to lodging in Oscoda, Michigan, Alpena, Michigan, and other coastal communities.
Category:Airports in Michigan Category:Transportation in Alcona County, Michigan