Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport
Generated by Llama 3.3-70BExpansion Funnel Raw 69 → Dedup 0 → NER 0 → Enqueued 0
| Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport |
| Iata | MKC |
| Icao | KMKC |
| Faa | MKC |
| Type | Public |
| Owner | City of Kansas City |
| Operator | Kansas City Aviation Department |
| City | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Elevation | 758 |
| Coordinates | 39°07′23″N 094°35′05″W |
Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport is a public airport located in Kansas City, Missouri, near the Missouri River and Downtown Kansas City. The airport is owned and operated by the Kansas City Aviation Department and serves as a reliever airport for Kansas City International Airport. It is named after Charles B. Wheeler, a former Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri who played a significant role in the development of the airport. The airport is also close to several major attractions, including the National World War I Museum and Memorial and the Kansas City Power and Light District.
● Overview
The airport is situated on a 696-acre site and has three runways, including a 7,801-foot primary runway and two smaller runways. It is classified as a reliever airport by the Federal Aviation Administration and serves a variety of users, including corporate aviation, general aviation, and flight training schools. The airport is also home to several fixed-base operators (FBOs), including Atlantic Aviation and Signature Flight Support, which provide a range of services, including fueling, maintenance, and hangar storage. Nearby attractions include the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the Kansas City Zoo, and the Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs.
● History
The airport was established in 1927 as a small municipal airport and was originally known as Kansas City Municipal Airport. Over the years, it has undergone several expansions and renovations, including the addition of new runways, taxiways, and airport terminals. In 1970, the airport was renamed in honor of Charles B. Wheeler, who served as Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri from 1963 to 1971. During his tenure, Wheeler played a key role in the development of the airport, including the construction of a new airport terminal and the expansion of the airport's runways. The airport has also been used by several notable figures, including Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States, who used the airport as a stopping point during his travels.
● Facilities
The airport has a range of facilities, including a terminal building, hangars, and fueling stations. The terminal building features a lobby, conference rooms, and office space for rent. The airport is also home to several fixed-base operators (FBOs), which provide a range of services, including fueling, maintenance, and hangar storage. Nearby facilities include the Kansas City Convention Center, the Sprint Center, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The airport is also close to several major hotels, including the Westin Kansas City at Crown Center and the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center.
● Operations
The airport is operated by the Kansas City Aviation Department and is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The airport has a control tower that provides air traffic control services, including clearance, ground control, and tower control. The airport also has a range of aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) equipment and personnel on site. The airport is served by several taxi and ride-hailing services, including Uber and Lyft, and is also accessible by public transportation, including the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) bus system. Nearby operations include the Kansas City Southern Railway and the BNSF Railway.
● Environment
The airport is committed to reducing its environmental impact and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint. These include the use of solar power to generate electricity, the implementation of a recycling program, and the use of electric vehicles for ground transportation. The airport is also located near several major parks and green spaces, including the Penn Valley Park and the Kansas City Zoo. The airport has also partnered with several local organizations, including the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Kansas City Parks and Recreation Department, to promote environmental sustainability and conservation. Nearby environmental initiatives include the Missouri River Restoration project and the Kansas City Green Initiative.