🇺🇸 Chandler Field

Chandler Field (KAXN), also known as Alexandria Regional Airport, is a city-owned public-use airport located two nautical miles southwest of Alexandria, Minnesota, United States.

Type of Facility and Operations: Chandler Field is classified as a midsized civil airport. It supports a variety of operations including general aviation, air taxi, and military use, encompassing personal, business, air ambulance, flight training, freight, and aerial surveying. The airport features two asphalt-paved runways: 13/31 (5,099 x 100 feet) and 4/22 (4,098 x 75 feet). While it does not have a control tower, it provides fuel (100LL and Jet A) and has several on-site aviation businesses offering services such as aircraft sales, rental, flight training, charter, fueling, aircraft repair, and medical helicopter services.

Notable Features or History: The airport was activated in March 1941, though Alexandria's first airport dates back to 1928. During World War II, the federal government paved its runways and utilized it as a refueling and emergency base for bombers for national defense purposes. It was officially named Chandler Field in 1978. A distinctive feature is the historic "Bellanca Building," a 56,000-square-foot facility once used for manufacturing airplanes. The airport has been recognized as a prime location for the installation of charging stations to support electric-powered aircraft, with discussions ongoing regarding renovating the Bellanca Building for future aviation tenants, potentially including electric aircraft manufacturing. Chandler Field serves as the sole airport in Douglas County and the largest for several surrounding counties.

Current Status: Chandler Field is operational and open to the public. As of recent data, it is home to over 70 aircraft and averages approximately 70 operations per day. The airport's staff attendance hours vary by season, but it remains accessible to the public. Ongoing plans include exploring grant opportunities for the renovation of the Bellanca Building and further developing infrastructure to support emerging electric aircraft technology.