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Coordinates: 46°25′41″N 105°53′10″W / 46.42806°N 105.88611°W / 46.42806; -105.88611
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{{Infobox Airport
{{Infobox airport
| name = Miles City Airport
| name = Miles City Airport
| nativename = Frank Wiley Field
| nativename = Frank Wiley Field
Line 6: Line 6:
| ICAO = KMLS
| ICAO = KMLS
| FAA = MLS
| FAA = MLS
<center>{{Location map|Montana|width=200|float=center
|caption=|mark=Airplane_silhouette.svg|marksize=10
|label=MLS|position=left
|lat_deg=46|lat_min=25|lat_sec=41|lat_dir=N
|lon_deg=105|lon_min=53|lon_sec=10|lon_dir=W
}}<small>Location of the Montana</small></center>
| type = Public
| type = Public
| owner = Miles City
| owner = Miles City
| operator =
| operator =
| city-served = [[Miles City, Montana]]
| city-served = [[Miles City, Montana]]
| location =
| location = <!--if different than above-->
| elevation-f = 2,630
| elevation-f = 2,630
| elevation-m = 802
| elevation-m = 802
| coordinates = {{coord|46|25|41|N|105|53|10|W|region:US-MT_type:airport}}
| website =
| website =
| coordinates = {{coord|46|25|41|N|105|53|10|W|region:US-MT|display=inline,title}}
| r1-number = 12/30
| pushpin_map = USA Montana#USA
| r1-length-f = 5,624
| pushpin_mapsize = 240
| r1-length-m = 1,714
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in [[Montana]]##Location in the [[United States]]
| pushpin_label = '''MLS'''
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_relief = 1
| r1-number = 4/22
| r1-length-f = 5,680
| r1-length-m = 1,731
| r1-surface = Asphalt
| r1-surface = Asphalt
| r2-number = 4/22
| r2-number = 13/31
| r2-length-f = 5,680
| r2-length-f = 5,628
| r2-length-m = 1,731
| r2-length-m = 1,715
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| r2-surface = Asphalt
| stat-year = 2007
| stat-year = 2009
| stat1-header = Aircraft operations
| stat1-header = Aircraft operations
| stat1-data = 11,200
| stat1-data = 11,200
| stat2-header = Based aircraft
| stat2-header = Based aircraft
| stat2-data = 22
| stat2-data = 20
| footnotes = Sources: Airport<ref name="Airport">[http://gov.milescity.net/City%20Departments/airport.html Miles City Airport (Frank Wiley Field)] page at Miles City website</ref> and [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=MLS|use=PU|own=PU|site=12450.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective 29 July 2010.</ref>
| footnotes = Sources: Airport<ref name="Airport">{{cite web | url = http://www.milescitymtairport.com | title = Miles City Airport (Frank Wiley Field) | publisher = Miles City government website | accessdate = September 8, 2009}}</ref> and [[Federal Aviation Administration|FAA]]<ref name="FAA">{{FAA-airport|ID=MLS|use=PU|own=PU|site=12450.*A}}. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 5, 2012.</ref>
}}
}}


'''Miles City Airport'''<ref name="Airport" /> or '''Frank Wiley Field'''<ref name="FAA" /> {{airport codes|MLS|KMLS|MLS}} is a city-owned, public-use [[airport]] located two [[nautical mile]]s (3.7 [[kilometre|km]]) northwest of the [[central business district]] of [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]], in [[Custer County, Montana|Custer County]], [[Montana]], [[United States]].<ref name="FAA" /> This airport is included in the FAA's [[National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems]] for 2009–2013, which [[FAA airport categories|categorized]] it as a ''[[general aviation]]'' facility.<ref>[http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/ National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems] for 2009–2013: [http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/2009/npias_2009_appA_part3.pdf Appendix A: Part 3 (PDF, 1.28 MB)]. Federal Aviation Administration. Updated 15 October 2008.</ref> It is also designated to receive commercial service subsidized by the federal [[Essential Air Service]] (EAS) program.
'''Miles City Airport'''<ref name="Airport" /> or '''Frank Wiley Field'''<ref name="FAA" /> {{airport codes|MLS|KMLS|MLS}} is a city-owned [[airport]] two miles northwest of [[Miles City, Montana|Miles City]], in [[Custer County, Montana|Custer County]], [[Montana]], United States.<ref name="FAA" /> The airport was served by one airline, subsidized by the [[Essential Air Service]] program. EAS subsidies ended on July 15, 2013, due to subsidy per passenger exceeding $1000, leaving Miles City without scheduled air service.<ref>Falstad, Jan. [http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/lewistown-miles-city-losing-airline-subsidies/article_0c3712a3-d6a1-5405-a4fb-567ddb6b27d7.html Lewistown, Miles City losing airline subsidies], ''Billings Gazette'', June 13, 2013, Retrieved 2013-06-13</ref>


[[Federal Aviation Administration]] records say the airport had 264 passenger boardings (enplanements) in [[calendar year]] 2008,<ref>
Scheduled air service at Miles City ended on March 8, 2008, when [[Big Sky Airlines]] (the designated EAS operator) ceased operation. [[Great Lakes Airlines]] has been given [[United States Department of Transportation|USDOT]] approval to take over EAS service between Miles City and [[Billings, Montana]].<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.sidneyherald.com/articles/2007/12/30/news/news01.txt | title = Great Lakes prepares for Montana routes | publisher = ''Sidney Herald'' | date = December 30, 2007 | accessdate = February 3, 2008}}</ref> In June, 2011, Gulfstream International Airlines began serving Miles City, replacing Great Lakes.
{{cite web
| url = http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy08_all_enplanements.pdf
| title = Enplanements for CY 2008 | format = PDF, 1.0 MB
| work = CY 2008 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data
| publisher = Federal Aviation Administration
| date = December 18, 2009
}}
</ref> 891 in 2009 and 1,033 in 2010.<ref>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy10_all_enplanements.pdf
| title = Enplanements for CY 2010 | format = PDF, 189 KB
| work = CY 2010 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data
| publisher = Federal Aviation Administration
| date = October 4, 2011
}}
</ref> The [[National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems]] for 2011–2015 [[FAA airport categories|called]] it a ''[[general aviation]]'' airport (the ''commercial service'' category requires 2,500 enplanements per year).<ref>
{{cite web
|url=http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/2011/npias_2011_appA.pdf
|title=2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A
|format=PDF, 2.03 MB
|work= National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems
|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration
|date=October 4, 2010
|url-status=dead
|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927084535/http://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/npias/reports/media/2011/npias_2011_appA.pdf
|archivedate=September 27, 2012
}}
</ref>


Scheduled air service temporarily ceased on March 8, 2008, when [[Big Sky Airlines]] ended operations in bankruptcy. [[Great Lakes Airlines]] was given [[United States Department of Transportation|USDOT]] approval to take over Essential Air Service (EAS)<ref name="Sidney Herald">{{cite news | url = http://www.sidneyherald.com/news/article_19be8282-2603-502a-ae76-486507917ecd.html | title = Great Lakes prepares for Montana routes | work = Sidney Herald | location = Montana | date = December 30, 2007 | accessdate = February 3, 2008}}</ref> and flights began in 2009. From 2011 to 2013, service had been provided under EAS contract by [[Silver Airways]] (formerly Gulfstream International Airlines).
== Facilities and aircraft ==
Frank Wiley Field covers an area of {{convert|1,640|acre|ha|lk=on}} at an [[elevation]] of 2,630 feet (802 m) above [[mean sea level]]. It has two [[asphalt]] paved [[runway]]s: 12/30 is 5,624 by 100 feet (1,714 x 30 m) and 4/22 is 5,680 by 75 feet (1,731 x 23 m).<ref name="FAA" />


== Facilities==
For the 12-month period ending June 30, 2007, the airport had 11,200 aircraft operations, an average of 30 per day: 71% [[general aviation]] and 29% [[air taxi]]. At that time there were 22 aircraft based at this airport: 91% single-[[aircraft engine|engine]] and 9% multi-engine.<ref name="FAA" />
Frank Wiley Field covers {{convert|1640|acre|mi2 km2}} at an [[elevation]] of {{convert|2630|ft|0}} above [[sea level]]. It has two [[Asphalt concrete|asphalt]] [[runway]]s: 4/22 is {{convert|5680|by|75|ft}} and 13/31 is {{convert|5628|by|100|ft}}.<ref name="FAA" />


In 2009, the airport had 11,200 aircraft operations, average 30 per day: 71% [[general aviation]] and 29% [[air taxi]]. 20 aircraft were then based at this airport: 90% single-engine and 10% multi-engine.<ref name="FAA" />
== Airlines and destinations ==

{{Airport-dest-list
==Historical airline service==
| [[Gulfstream International Airlines]] | Billings, Glendive }}
The first known commercial air service to Miles City was provided by Mamer Air Transport in 1930. Mamer used [[Ford trimotor]] aircraft on a route between Spokane and Minneapolis/St. Paul making multiple stops.

[[Northwest Airlines]] then served Miles City as one of multiple stops along the carrier's mainline route between Seattle and Chicago from the early 1930s until 1954. The mainline route was extended eastward to New York and Washington D.C. by 1950. Northwest flew [[Lockheed Model 10 Electra]] followed by [[Douglas DC-3]] aircraft for its service to Miles City.

[[Frontier Airlines (1950-1986)]] served the airport from 1954 until 1980 with flights to Billings and Bismarck. Some flights to Billings would continue onto Salt Lake City via multiple stops. [[Douglas DC-3]] prop and [[Convair 580]] turboprop aircraft were used. [[Harry B. Combs|Combs Aviation]] also provided service to Miles City from 1968 through 1970 with [[Aero Commander 500]] twin prop aircraft on behalf of Frontier via a contract agreement,<ref>https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fl/fl6807/fl6807-1.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=August 2024}}</ref><ref>https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fl/fl6807/fl6807-4.jpg {{Bare URL image|date=August 2024}}</ref> and for a period in 1970, Frontier contracted all of its Miles City service to Combs. Combs then ended their contract service and Frontier returned in 1971 using [[de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter]] turboprop aircraft.

[[Big Sky Airlines]] provided turboprop service to Billings from 1980 until 2008 using [[Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner]] commuter aircraft followed by [[Beechcraft 1900|Beech 1900D]] commuter aircraft.

[[Great Lakes Airlines]] flew from Miles City to Denver with one stop at Gillette, WY using [[Beechcraft 1900|Beech 1900D]] aircraft from 2008 through mid-2011.<ref name="Sidney Herald"/>

[[Silver Airways]] was the final carrier providing service to Billings from 2011 until all service ended on July 15, 2013, after government subsidies were cancelled due to a lack of passenger traffic. Silver also flew [[Beechcraft 1900|Beech 1900D]] aircraft.<ref>Official Airline Guide</ref>

==Accidents==
* [[Northwest Airlines Flight 1]] – [[Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra|Lockheed Super Electra]] – January 13, 1938
* Northwest Airlines Flight 1 – [[Douglas DC-3]]A – May 12, 1942<ref name=sgtsv>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=tm9WAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KuQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6037%2C3997305 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Sergeant's quick thinking saves 11 lives in airliner crash |date=May 13, 1942 |page=1}}</ref><ref name=svpass>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=ANdYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UPUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5632%2C2437087 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Save passengers but pilots die |date=May 13, 1942 |page=2}}</ref>
* [[Frontier Airlines (1950–1986)|Frontier Airlines]] Flight 32 – Douglas DC-3C – March 12, 1964<ref name=mctfl>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=a1tYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=b_cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4587%2C3009552 |work=Spokane Daily Chronicle |location=(Washington) |agency=Associated Press |title=Montana crash takes 5 lives |date=March 13, 1964 |page=2}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of airports in Montana]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}

== Other sources ==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
* Essential Air Service documents ([http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605 Docket Number 2605]) from the [[United States Department of Transportation|U.S. Department of Transportation]]:
* Essential Air Service documents ([http://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605 Docket OST-1997-2605]) from the [[U.S. Department of Transportation]]:
** [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605-0077 Order 2008-7-9]: approving alternate service pattern, Great Lakes Aviation changing communities' hub from Billings to Denver.
** [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605-0057 Order 2005-12-20]: selecting Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, to continue providing essential air service at seven Montana communities (Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point) for a new two-year period beginning March 1, 2006, at a subsidy of $6,838,934 annually.
** [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605-0071 Order 2007-12-22]: allowing Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, to suspend its subsidized essential air services at seven Montana communities on the date that Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., begins replacement service, and (b) selecting Great Lakes to provide those services at subsidy rates totaling $8,201,992 annually.
** [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605-0070 Order 2007-11-21]: selecting Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, to continue providing essential air service at seven Montana communities for a new two-year period beginning March 1, 2008, at a subsidy of $8,473,617 annually.
** [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605-0071 Order 2007-12-22]: allowing Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, to suspend its subsidized essential air services at seven Montana communities on the date that Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., begins replacement service, and selecting Great Lakes to provide those services at subsidy rates totaling $8,201,992.
** [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605-0077 Order 2008-7-9]: approving an alternate service pattern requested by Lewistown, Miles City and Sidney, Montana.
** [http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=DOT-OST-1997-2605-0096 Order 2011-1-27]: selecting Gulfstream International Airlines, to provide subsidized essential air service (EAS) with 19-passenger Beechcraft B-1900D aircraft at Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point, Montana, for a two-year period beginning when the carrier inaugurates full EAS at all seven communities through the end of the 24th month thereafter, at a combined annual subsidy rate of $10,903,854.
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [http://www.milescitymtairport.com/ Miles City Airport]
* {{FAA-diagram|00259}}
* {{FAA-procedures|MLS}}
* {{FAA-procedures|MLS}}
* {{US-airport-ga|MLS}}
{{US-airport-ga|MLS}}

<!--Navigation box--><br />
{{Airports in Montana}}


[[Category:Airports in Montana]]
[[Category:Airports in Montana]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Custer County, Montana]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Miles City, Montana]]
[[Category:Essential Air Service]]
[[Category:Former Essential Air Service airports]]
[[Category:Transportation in Custer County, Montana]]
[[Category:Transportation in Custer County, Montana]]

Latest revision as of 15:25, 23 August 2024

Miles City Airport

Frank Wiley Field
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerMiles City
ServesMiles City, Montana
Elevation AMSL2,630 ft / 802 m
Coordinates46°25′41″N 105°53′10″W / 46.42806°N 105.88611°W / 46.42806; -105.88611
Map
MLS is located in Montana
MLS
MLS
Location in Montana
MLS is located in the United States
MLS
MLS
Location in the United States
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
4/22 5,680 1,731 Asphalt
13/31 5,628 1,715 Asphalt
Statistics (2009)
Aircraft operations11,200
Based aircraft20
Sources: Airport[1] and FAA[2]

Miles City Airport[1] or Frank Wiley Field[2] (IATA: MLS, ICAO: KMLS, FAA LID: MLS) is a city-owned airport two miles northwest of Miles City, in Custer County, Montana, United States.[2] The airport was served by one airline, subsidized by the Essential Air Service program. EAS subsidies ended on July 15, 2013, due to subsidy per passenger exceeding $1000, leaving Miles City without scheduled air service.[3]

Federal Aviation Administration records say the airport had 264 passenger boardings (enplanements) in calendar year 2008,[4] 891 in 2009 and 1,033 in 2010.[5] The National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015 called it a general aviation airport (the commercial service category requires 2,500 enplanements per year).[6]

Scheduled air service temporarily ceased on March 8, 2008, when Big Sky Airlines ended operations in bankruptcy. Great Lakes Airlines was given USDOT approval to take over Essential Air Service (EAS)[7] and flights began in 2009. From 2011 to 2013, service had been provided under EAS contract by Silver Airways (formerly Gulfstream International Airlines).

Facilities

[edit]

Frank Wiley Field covers 1,640 acres (2.56 sq mi; 6.6 km2) at an elevation of 2,630 feet (802 m) above sea level. It has two asphalt runways: 4/22 is 5,680 by 75 feet (1,731 by 23 m) and 13/31 is 5,628 by 100 feet (1,715 by 30 m).[2]

In 2009, the airport had 11,200 aircraft operations, average 30 per day: 71% general aviation and 29% air taxi. 20 aircraft were then based at this airport: 90% single-engine and 10% multi-engine.[2]

Historical airline service

[edit]

The first known commercial air service to Miles City was provided by Mamer Air Transport in 1930. Mamer used Ford trimotor aircraft on a route between Spokane and Minneapolis/St. Paul making multiple stops.

Northwest Airlines then served Miles City as one of multiple stops along the carrier's mainline route between Seattle and Chicago from the early 1930s until 1954. The mainline route was extended eastward to New York and Washington D.C. by 1950. Northwest flew Lockheed Model 10 Electra followed by Douglas DC-3 aircraft for its service to Miles City.

Frontier Airlines (1950-1986) served the airport from 1954 until 1980 with flights to Billings and Bismarck. Some flights to Billings would continue onto Salt Lake City via multiple stops. Douglas DC-3 prop and Convair 580 turboprop aircraft were used. Combs Aviation also provided service to Miles City from 1968 through 1970 with Aero Commander 500 twin prop aircraft on behalf of Frontier via a contract agreement,[8][9] and for a period in 1970, Frontier contracted all of its Miles City service to Combs. Combs then ended their contract service and Frontier returned in 1971 using de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter turboprop aircraft.

Big Sky Airlines provided turboprop service to Billings from 1980 until 2008 using Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner commuter aircraft followed by Beech 1900D commuter aircraft.

Great Lakes Airlines flew from Miles City to Denver with one stop at Gillette, WY using Beech 1900D aircraft from 2008 through mid-2011.[7]

Silver Airways was the final carrier providing service to Billings from 2011 until all service ended on July 15, 2013, after government subsidies were cancelled due to a lack of passenger traffic. Silver also flew Beech 1900D aircraft.[10]

Accidents

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Miles City Airport (Frank Wiley Field)". Miles City government website. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e FAA Airport Form 5010 for MLS PDF. Federal Aviation Administration. Effective April 5, 2012.
  3. ^ Falstad, Jan. Lewistown, Miles City losing airline subsidies, Billings Gazette, June 13, 2013, Retrieved 2013-06-13
  4. ^ "Enplanements for CY 2008" (PDF, 1.0 MB). CY 2008 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data. Federal Aviation Administration. December 18, 2009.
  5. ^ "Enplanements for CY 2010" (PDF, 189 KB). CY 2010 Passenger Boarding and All-Cargo Data. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2011.
  6. ^ "2011–2015 NPIAS Report, Appendix A" (PDF). National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. Federal Aviation Administration. October 4, 2010. Archived from the original (PDF, 2.03 MB) on September 27, 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Great Lakes prepares for Montana routes". Sidney Herald. Montana. December 30, 2007. Retrieved February 3, 2008.
  8. ^ https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fl/fl6807/fl6807-1.jpg [bare URL image file]
  9. ^ https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/fl/fl6807/fl6807-4.jpg [bare URL image file]
  10. ^ Official Airline Guide
  11. ^ "Sergeant's quick thinking saves 11 lives in airliner crash". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. May 13, 1942. p. 1.
  12. ^ "Save passengers but pilots die". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. May 13, 1942. p. 2.
  13. ^ "Montana crash takes 5 lives". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. March 13, 1964. p. 2.

Other sources

[edit]
  • Essential Air Service documents (Docket OST-1997-2605) from the U.S. Department of Transportation:
    • Order 2005-12-20: selecting Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, to continue providing essential air service at seven Montana communities (Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point) for a new two-year period beginning March 1, 2006, at a subsidy of $6,838,934 annually.
    • Order 2007-11-21: selecting Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, to continue providing essential air service at seven Montana communities for a new two-year period beginning March 1, 2008, at a subsidy of $8,473,617 annually.
    • Order 2007-12-22: allowing Big Sky Transportation Co., d/b/a Big Sky Airlines, to suspend its subsidized essential air services at seven Montana communities on the date that Great Lakes Aviation, Ltd., begins replacement service, and selecting Great Lakes to provide those services at subsidy rates totaling $8,201,992.
    • Order 2008-7-9: approving an alternate service pattern requested by Lewistown, Miles City and Sidney, Montana.
    • Order 2011-1-27: selecting Gulfstream International Airlines, to provide subsidized essential air service (EAS) with 19-passenger Beechcraft B-1900D aircraft at Glasgow, Glendive, Havre, Lewistown, Miles City, Sidney, and Wolf Point, Montana, for a two-year period beginning when the carrier inaugurates full EAS at all seven communities through the end of the 24th month thereafter, at a combined annual subsidy rate of $10,903,854.
[edit]