Tracy Municipal Airport

The Tracy Municipal Airport’s original apron was sloped so steeply for center drainage that aircraft occasionally experienced propeller strikes. The Aviation team at Bollig Engineering designed a full reconstruction of the apron to drain to the east edge at the appropriate slope. The paved area was expanded to accommodate a wider taxilane area to accommodate the airport’s “critical aircraft,” as identified in the Airport Master Plan. Bollig also designed and constructed improved runway lighting and signage for pilot safety and clarity.

Airport Master Plan & Airport Layout Plan

Tracy’s Airport Master Plan and Airport Layout Plan process identified several safety issues to be resolved, but also revealed opportunities to pursue for the growth and development of the airport.  With this process completed, the City now has a roadmap to help them plan and budget for years into the future in a logical way for upcoming projects, which include their runway reconstruction and extension, hangar construction, and apron expansion.

T-Hangar Construction

Funding a revenue-generating project such as a hangar can be difficult for municipalities with smaller budgets and other airport safety needs. Utilizing regular FAA entitlement funding, MnDOT state grant funding, MnDOT revolving hangar loan funding, and BIL (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) funding, the City of Tracy is in the process of building their first new municipal hangar in decades.  Careful coordination of each type of funding and their requirements is a must, keeping in mind the City’s budget over the construction period, to ensure that the project design and construction process goes smoothly.

AWOS Relocation

Tracy’s existing AWOS sensors were reaching the end of their useful lives, but due to the poorly-located tower, some sensors could not record accurate readings.  To improve the weather data collection, which is a critical safety tool for pilots, Bollig worked with MnDOT to move the entire system to a brand-new location that was unobstructed by trees, buildings, or other items and complied with FAA siting criteria.  The new system now provides accurate and up-to-date data to assist pilots in making flight decisions when operating at the Tracy Municipal Airport and the local area.

MN Flyer – Airport of the Month

The Tracy Municipal Airport was featured as the Airport of the Month in Minnesota Flyer Magazine in June 2024!  Learn more about their drainage challenges, apron reconstruction, relocated AWOS, newly paved parking lot and entrance road, and runway repair, as well as some of the Tracy Airport’s future plans include extending the runway for added safety. Interestingly, the airport’s history is intertwined with Pastor Homer Dobson, who served on the Airport Commission for 53 years and even flew an Aircoupe into his 80s.  Read the full MN Flyer article about Tracy Municipal Airport.

The Tracy Airport celebrates Tracy Boxcar Days with the Fly-In/Drive-in Breakfast every Labor Day!