Albertus Airport (IATA: FEP, ICAO: KFEP, FAA LID: FEP) is a civil public-use airport located 3 miles southeast of the city of Freeport, Illinois, United States. The airport is owned by the city.[1][2][3]

Albertus Airport
Summary
ServesFreeport, Illinois
LocationStephenson County, Illinois
Time zoneUTC−06:00 (-6)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−05:00 (-5)
Elevation AMSL859 ft / 262 m
Maps
FAA airport diagram
FAA airport diagram
Map
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
6/24 5,504 1,678 Asphalt
18/36 2,400 732 Turf
13/31 2,285 696 Turf
Statistics (2020)
Aircraft Movements20,075

History

edit

The airport was established in 1945. Named for brothers Henry and Peter Albertus, who donated the original land for the airport, to the city. The city purchased addtional land around the Albertus farm land. Original amenities included fuel, runways, and offices for the airport's original operator.[4]

In 1946, the airport was sold to a new owner. Later that year, the State of Illinois allotted $198,000 to the airport to improve runway conditions; work was completed in 1947.[4]

Additional hangars were built in 1948. The airport had multiple owners until the early 1950s.[4]

Airshow

edit

Albertus Airport is home to the Northwest Illinois Airshow. The event started in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued since. The one-day event features aerobatic aircraft performing stunts.[5][6]

Facilities & aircraft

edit

The airport has three runways. Runway 6/24 is the longest and only hard-surface runway, measuring 5504 x 100 ft (1678 x 30 m) and made of asphalt. Runway 18/36 is 2404 x 150 ft (733 x 46 m) and made of turf, while runway 13/31 is 2285 x 150 ft (696 x 46 m) and also turf.[7][8]

The airport has a fixed-base operator that sells fuel, both avgas and jet fuel. The airport has services such as general maintenance, hangars, courtesy cars, and more; it has amenities such as internet, pilot supplies, and more.[9]

For the 12-month period ending March 31, 2020, the airport averaged 55 aircraft operations per day, or roughly 20,075 per year, all general aviation. For the same time period, there were 48 aircraft based on the field: 31 single-engine, 10 glider, 5 multi-engine, and 2 helicopter.[7][10]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Albertus Airport – City of Freeport". City of Freeport. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  2. ^ "FAA Information about Albertus Airport". airport-data.com. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  3. ^ "FEP–Freeport [Albertus Airport]". Great Circle Mapper. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  4. ^ a b c Gustason, Harriett. "Aviation was taking off in Freeport". The Journal Standard. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  5. ^ "Local airport hosts Northwest Illinois Airshow, smoke and noise attract over 1,000 viewers". JournalStandard. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  6. ^ "Northwest Illinois Airshow". Northwest Illinois Airshow. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  7. ^ a b "AirNav: KFEP – Albertus Airport". AirNav. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  8. ^ "Albertus Airport – KFEP – AOPA". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  9. ^ "Freeport Flite Center FBO Info & Fuel Prices at Albertus (KFEP)". FlightAware. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  10. ^ "FEP – Albertus Airport". SkyVector (AOPA). Retrieved 2022-07-03.

42°14′38″N 089°34′58″W / 42.24389°N 89.58278°W / 42.24389; -89.58278