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Telluride Regional Airport

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Telluride Regional Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic
OwnerTelluride Regional Airport Authority
ServesTelluride, Colorado
Elevation AMSL9,078 ft / 2,767 m
Coordinates37°57′14″N 107°54′31″W / 37.95389°N 107.90861°W / 37.95389; -107.90861
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
9/27 6,870 2,094 Asphalt
Statistics (2007)
Aircraft operations26,709
Based aircraft42
Sources: airport website[1] and FAA[2]

Telluride Regional Airport (IATA: TEX, ICAO: KTEX, FAA LID: TEX) is a public use airport located five nautical miles (9 km) west of the central business district of Telluride, a town in San Miguel County, Colorado, United States. It is owned by the Telluride Regional Airport Authority. At an elevation of 9,078 feet (2767 m) above sea level[2], it is the highest commercial airport in North America.

Facilities and aircraft

Telluride Regional Airport covers an area of 542 acres (219 ha) and has one runway designated 9/27 which measures 6,870 by 100 feet (2,094 by 30 m).[2] Located on a plateau, the airport's single runway literally dips slightly in the center. The runway can be a very challenging approach for pilots, particularly those operating commuter aircraft or business jets. During winter months, approximately 20% of the scheduled commuter airline flights end up having to divert to other nearby airports because of abruptly adverse landing conditions. Pilots must contend with high terrain exceeding 14,000 feet at all quadrants, as well as the airport's location on a plateau where 3 sides (including both ends of the runway) plunge about 1,000 ft to the San Miguel River below.[citation needed]

Pilots must exercise great caution whenever southerly winds exceed 15 knots (some say as little as 8 knots), and be aware of rotors, strong turbulence and down-drafts associated with the plateau cliffs during the approach. Most approaches into Telluride come from the west onto Runway 9, from the direction of Placerville and Sawpit. Pilots must stay on the right side of the valley on approach, to avoid potential traffic conflicts. In addition to all this, touch and go landings are prohibited at TEX, and the minimum traffic pattern altitude for the Telluride area is 10,500 ft MSL (1,500 ft AGL). Residential areas located to the east of the airport are generally avoided by arriving and departing aircraft, for both safety and noise abatement purposes.[citation needed]

For the 12-month period ending April 30, 2007, the airport had 26,709 aircraft operations, an average of 73 per day: 53% air taxi, 35% general aviation and 12% scheduled commercial. At that time there were 42 aircraft based at this airport: 60% single-engine, 21% multi-engine, 7% jet, 2% helicopter and 10% glider.[2]

Renovation

Between April 7 and November 4 of 2009 the Telluride runway was closed for a $24 million runway renovation. The west end of the runway was lowered 30 feet, and the east end 14 ft. The material removed was placed in the center, removing the notorious dip in the middle of the runway. In addition, 41 feet of length was added to the runway and retaining walls were built on the side. Further renovations are planned for the tarmac in 2010. These are designed in part to allow larger aircraft to utilize the airport.

Airlines and destinations

AirlinesDestinations
Great Lakes Airlines Denver
US Airways Express operated by
Mesa Airlines 		Phoenix [seasonal]

References

  1. ^ Telluride Regional Airport
  2. ^ a b c d FAA Airport Form 5010 for TEX PDF, effective 2008-06-05
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