Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS

Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS

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Independence Municipal Airport, Independence, KS (FAA LID: IDP, IATA: IDP, ICAO: KIDP) is a non-towered, public airport located 6 miles SW of Independence in Montgomery County, Kansas. Elevation 825 ft. If you fly in here you will think I’m crazy because there is quite obviously a tower at this field. However, it has been closed for quite some time due to funding.

There are two runways as follows:

DirectionLength in ft.Length in MetersSurface
04/223,402 x 601,037 x 18Asphalt
17/355,501 x 1001,677 x 30Asphalt
Runways

AV Gas is available 24/7 at the self serve pump and there is someone on duty M-F from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. for Jet A.

Transportation

There is a crew car available and Enterprise Rental Cars services this field. It’s a really nice field!

Things To Do

If you do happen to get to town they do have a great outside space. The Riverside Park has a train, a carousel, a water park and buildings for gatherings. Family reunions are great here because there’s plenty to do for every age. If you grew up in one of these little towns you realize there’s not much to get in a hurry about. Not a lot going on most days but the laid back atmosphere is food for the soul if you’re looking for respite from big city life.

Places To Stay

As close as I could tell there are about 6 or 7 hotels here. As I didn’t stay the night I have no recommendations except the closest to the airport seems to be Kansas Inn. Try Dining

Best burger with a beer place? Stoney’s Grub and Pub has great reviews for burgers, homemade onion rings, cold beer, and slabs of ribs. Hailed as a hidden gem for southern food is the Fish and Chip Diner. Uncle Jack’s Bar and Grill, right downtown, and Dickey’s Barbecue Pit also have some good reviews. If you’re looking for lunch or dinner.

My family reunion pre-ordered Mexican food from El Pueblitos and I do mean loads of it. It was hot, good and no one left hungry.

Airport Attractions

Every year this airport host the “Kansas Airport Attach”. This is a half mile drag race presented by Kansas Corn this year.

They have just started the FCAA competition a few times a year.

History

This airport was once the site of a WWII training base. Back then it was known as Independence Army Airfield where the US Army Air Forces Second Air Force held pilot training. They trained in North America BT-14s and Vultee BT-13 Valiants from 1942 to 1945. In 1944 Cessna UC-78s and AT-6 Texans were added to the line up when nearby Coffeyville Army Airfield ended its training program. This base was later used as storage for numerous types of military aircraft. There’s a classic example of WWII architecture on the field.

In Conclusion

SW Kansas might not be the hotspot of adventure you signed up for when working or playing in the general aviation field but there are more aviation people in the central corridor of this country than anywhere else. Friendly, good people who would help anyone in need. So, if you find yourself in the neighborhood and need fuel this is a great place to land.

If you have a suggestion of where we should go next or have a favorite small airport you’d like us to check out please let us know. Sign up for our email heads-up about our next adventure at jettreks.com. We do not sell or share your info.

Safe flights and happy landings,

Jo@jettreks.com

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