Hutchinson Municipal Airport is a former military airfield that has
been converted to a general aviation airport. The airport experiences
significant business jets activity, military jet training, and smaller
piston powered operations. The airport offers an airport traffic
control tower, full FBO services and an ILS approach. Only two of the
three runways are eligible for FAA grant-in-aid funding. All three
runways were deficient in runway safety area (RSA) as mandated by the
FAA. In addition, the complex nature of the taxiway system created two
FAA identified “Hot Spots”. During the master planning process
solutions to the RSA deficiencies and the “Hot Spots” were presented
while allowing the airport to maintain its three runway system. In
consultation with city leaders, recommendations to reduce the size and
role of the third, city maintained runway was accepted, potentially
saving the city significant maintenance costs without reducing the
level of service.
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