Elma Municipal Airport

The primary reason for closure was urban encroachment and economic pressure. As the city of Elma expanded, new housing developments were built directly adjacent to the airport property. The land became significantly more valuable for residential real estate than for continued use as a general aviation airport, leading to its sale and subsequent redevelopment.

The airport site has been completely redeveloped into a residential housing subdivision. The former runway, taxiways, and hangar areas have been replaced by single-family homes and new streets. The site is unrecognizable as a former airfield, although some street names in the development, such as 'Airport Way' and 'Cessna Lane', pay homage to its aviation past.

Elma Municipal Airport (formerly FAA identifier: 4W8) was a public-use, city-owned general aviation airport established circa 1947. For over five decades, it served the local community by supporting private pilots, flight training, and recreational flying. Initially featuring a turf runway, it was later upgraded to a single paved runway (15/33) measuring approximately 2,450 feet in length. In its final years, it was home to about 15 single-engine aircraft and included hangars and tiedown areas. It was a typical small-town airport that provided an important transportation link for the rural community.

None. The land has been permanently and fully redeveloped for residential use, making it impossible to reopen an airport at its original location. There are no known plans or proposals to establish a new municipal airport for Elma.