Estherville, US 🇺🇸 Closed Airport
US-11353
-
1350 ft
US-IA
Loading...
Loading...GPS Code: Not available
Local Code: Not available
Location: 43.443001° N, -94.848° E
Continent: NA
Type: Closed Airport
Keywords: IA52
Estherville Municipal Airport (KEST), also referred to as Freedom Field (US-11353), primarily serves as a public general aviation airport in Estherville, Iowa. Traveler reviews, mainly from pilots and FBO users, are very limited, making it difficult to gauge widespread sentiment. However, the available feedback indicates a generally positive experience regarding the specialized services offered for general aviation.
Overall, Estherville Municipal Airport (KEST) is well-regarded by its primary users, general aviation pilots and those utilizing its FBO services, particularly for its comprehensive maintenance capabilities and convenient fueling options. However, travelers should be aware of the limited ground transportation options and the absence of commercial airport amenities.
Researching traveler experiences online...
Loading weather data...
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
15/33 |
1000 ft | 60 ft | TURF | Active |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|
The exact closure date is not officially recorded. Based on analysis of historical satellite imagery, the airstrip appears to have fallen into disuse and ceased being maintained sometime between the late 2000s and mid-2010s. It was likely a gradual abandonment rather than a specific, dated event.
The airport was almost certainly a private-use airstrip. The closure was likely due to personal or economic reasons typical for such fields, such as the owner selling the property, ceasing aviation activities, or being unable to afford its upkeep. There is no evidence to suggest it was closed due to a specific accident, military conversion, or regulatory action.
The site has been fully reclaimed for agricultural use. Current satellite imagery shows the land where the runway once existed is now an active farm field, likely planted with corn or soybeans. There are no visible remnants of the airstrip or any associated structures.
Freedom Field was a small, private, unpaved (turf or grass) airstrip. Its historical significance is minimal and limited to the personal use of its owner, likely for recreational flying or agricultural support. It was not a public airport, did not handle commercial or military operations, and had no significant infrastructure like hangars or a terminal. The identifier 'US-11353' is not an official ICAO code but an internal designation from a non-governmental airport database (OurAirports.com) used to catalog small or defunct airfields.
There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Freedom Field. The land has been completely converted back to farmland, and the general aviation needs of the Estherville area are adequately served by the nearby Estherville Municipal Airport (KEST).