New Richmond Regional Airport

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New Richmond Regional Airport (ICAO Code KRNH) is a general aviation airport located in the city of New Richmond, Wisconsin. The airport is owned and operated by the City of New Richmond.

The airport is located in western Wisconsin approximately 30 miles northeast of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The airport is one of the fastest growing in the Midwest. Over 180 aircraft are based in privately owned hangars. The airport is home to ten aviation related businesses and several business aircraft. The airport contributes over nine million dollars per year to the New Richmond area economy. The airport serves the Eastern Twin Cities Metro Area and Western Wisconsin.

New Richmond Regional Airport is the only public use airport in St. Croix County.

Airport History

The airport was commissioned by the FAA in July of 1964 with a 3000 foot primary runway (Runway 13-31) and a 2100 foot turf runway (Runway 4-22).

In 1992, a major construction project was completed. The primary runway was demolished and replaced by a new 4003 foot runway (Runway 14-32). The original hangar area located on the south end of the airport was also updated to allow additional hangars. A new aircraft parking apron was also constructed.

In 1998, an additional taxilane was added to the south hangar area. The hangar area was completely filled by the end of 1998 with 45 hangars.

In 2000, a new hangar area was constructed on the north end of the airport. The new area accommodated a mix of 32 small and medium sized hangars. A full-length parallel taxiway to runway 14-32 was also completed along with a small apron.

In 2001, a second addition to the north aircraft parking apron was completed.

In 2004, a corporate/business aviation hangar area was added to the north hangar area allowing the construction of up to seven large hangars. A third addition to the aircraft parking apron in the north hangar area was completed. An additional taxilane was also added to the north hangar area to accommodate additional private hangars. A grant from the Department of Homeland Security allowed the construction of a security fence and three automated security gates around the airport.

In 2005, two new taxilanes were added to the north hangar area to allow an additional 14 private and corporate hangars.

In 2006, construction began on an extension to the 4003 foot primary runway and parallel taxiway to runway 14-32. The runway was completed in June of 2007 and the parallel taxiway was completed in August of 2007. The runway is now 5,507 feet long. A helicopter landing apron and a connecting taxiway in the corporate hangar area were also completed as part of the 2006-2007 project. Picture of the airport - October 2007 [1]

In 2008, the airport completed the purchase of over 60 acres adjoining the north side of the airport. The land will be used for future economic development. Reconstruction of the oldest portion of the primary runway will also occur in 2008.

Airport Businesses

Baumann Floats, Life Link III Air Ambulance / Air Methods, Griggs Aviation, RC Avionics, New Richmond Aero, Proto Type Machine / Aerospace Hydraulics

Airport Operations

The airport is funded from lease fees for hangar lots and taxes on the hangars. No additional non airport produced funds are used to operate the airport.

Airport Weather

The airport has an on-site Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) providing continuous aviation weather METAR reports. In the event of an AWOS outage, manual weather observations are recorded by trained weather observers. In August of 2006, the National Weather Service in Chanhassen, MN began issuing Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAF) for New Richmond Regional Airport. The current TAF can be found at [2] The current METAR report can be found at [3]

Instrument Approaches

The airport has two GPS / RNAV approaches and a non-directional beacon (NDB) approach. Precision LPV GPS approaches will be published for the airport in 2008.

Air Shows

An air show has been held at New Richmond Regional Airport each June dating back to 2004. No air show will be held in 2008 due to various on-going airport construction projects. The 2009 air show is planned for June 27 and 28. Pictures from previous air shows can be found at: [4]

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