Mankato Regional Airport Sohler Field

1
Mankato Regional AirportSohler Field

• John Enter
• Eric Criswell

2
History

• 1910-1920s aviation slowly developed in southern
  Minnesota
• Early aviators used cow pastures for runways
• 1927 Lawrence Joseph Sohler advocated for
  investment in Airport

3
History

• Charles Lindbergh occasionally flew into Mankato
  as airmail pilot
• 1920s Air mail was utilized to connect southern
  Minnesota with the Twin Cities

4

• Located south of city on top of hill near MSU
  campus
• Student housing sits on ground previously used by
  airport

5

• 1970 airport moved to current location

6

• 1991 Runways expanded to current size and
  approach navigation systems were added

7

• 1997 Airport terminal expanded

8

• 2002 - New hangers just completed

9
Airport influence on Mankato

• Has hosted air shows including
• Navy Blue Angels
• Air force Thunderbirds
• Canadian Snowbirds

10
Airport influence on Mankato

• More than 100 different companies travel to
  Mankato via airplanes
• More than 1000 FAA Pilot licenses have been
  issued to local Mankato pilots
• Over 85 people depend on the Mankato Regional
  airport for jobs

11
Present day

• Over 50 aircraft base at the Mankato airport

12

• Airport is 920 acres
• 2 runways
• (15/33 5,400x100) (4/22 4,000x75)

13
Present day
14
Present day
15
MSU Influence

• Over 300 students in MSU aviation program
• MSU Students are largest contributors to the
  economy of the airport

16
MSU Influence

• Over 10 aircraft are based at the Mankato airport
  for student use

17
MSU Influence

• MSU Houses 4 Instrument training simulators at
  the airport

18
Conclusion

• The Mankato Regional Airport plays a vital role
  in the city of Mankato
• It influences the economic well-being of our
  businesses
• Enables many MSU students to train for future
  careers in aviation
• Connects people of Mankato to the Midwest and
  beyond

19
Flying tour of Mankato
20
Flying tour of Mankato
21
Flying tour of Mankato
22
Flying tour of Mankato
23
Questions?
24
The end