🇺🇸 Porter County Municipal Airport

Porter County Regional Airport (VPZ, KVPZ) is a public-use airport located one mile southeast of Valparaiso, Indiana. It is owned by the Porter County Municipal Airport Authority.

The airport was founded in 1949 as a county-owned public service facility, initially occupying 197 acres of farmland. Its initial development included an 1800' x 50' paved North-South runway and a 2000' x 200' East-West sod runway. Over the years, the airport underwent significant expansion, including the construction of a paved 3000' x 75' East-West runway in 1962, which was later expanded to 6000' x 150'. In 1988, efforts began to construct Runway 18-36 as a crosswind runway, which is now 4000' x 75'. Scheduled air taxi service to Chicago O'Hare operated from 1969 to 1983. The county road serving the south entrance to the airport is named after Lawrence (Mark) Murvihill, a World War II pilot who founded Murvihill Aero Service in Porter County.

Currently, the airport covers 718 acres and has two asphalt paved runways: 9/27 measuring 7,001 by 150 feet, and 18/36 measuring 4,001 by 75 feet. It is outside the Chicago Class B airspace, allowing for easier arrivals and departures. The airport is equipped with an Instrument Landing System for Runway 27 and GPS for Runways 09, 27, and 18. It is home to over 160 general aviation aircraft, ranging from single-passenger propeller planes to corporate jets. Services available include aircraft servicing, passenger and crew facilities, rental offices, and a conference room. The airport is managed by the Porter County Airport Authority Board and a full-time Airport Director.

*Sources researched: vpz.org, en.wikipedia.org, airnav.com, skyvector.com*