Telluride Regional Airport

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Telluride Regional Airport
IATA: TEX - ICAO: KTEX
Summary
Airport type		Public
Operator		Telluride Regional Airport Authority
Serves		Telluride, Colorado
Elevation AMSL		9,078 ft (2767 m)
Coordinates		37°57′13.53″N, 107°54′30.52″W
Runways
Direction	Length		Surface
Direction	ft	m	Surface
9/27	6,870	2,094	Asphalt

Telluride Regional Airport (IATA: TEX, ICAO: KTEX) is a public airport located 5 miles (8 km) west of Telluride, in San Miguel County, Colorado, USA. It is the highest commercial airport in North America, at an elevation of 9,078 feet (2767 m) above sea level. Located on a plateau, the airport's single runway literally dips slightly in the center.

Runway 9/27 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.

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.