Definition
Paxson Airport is a state‑owned, public‑use airport serving the community of Paxson in the Copper River Census Area of Alaska, United States.
Overview
The airport is situated approximately one nautical mile (2 km) northeast of the central business district of Paxson. It is operated by the Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF). The facility primarily accommodates general aviation traffic and serves as a hub for air taxi operations that provide passenger and cargo services to remote locations within the region. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the airport handles several hundred aircraft movements annually, most of which are single‑engine planes and helicopters.
Etymology/Origin
The airport derives its name from the nearby unincorporated community of Paxson. The community’s name is historically linked to early settlers and trading posts in the area; however, the precise origin of the name “Paxson” is not definitively documented.
Characteristics
- Location: Paxson, Alaska (coordinates 63°02′30″N 145°38′00″W)
- Elevation: 2,579 feet (786 m) above mean sea level
- Runway: One runway designated 10/28, with a gravel surface measuring 3,500 feet in length and 75 feet in width (1,067 × 23 m)
- Facilities: The airport has a small terminal building that provides basic passenger waiting areas and pilot amenities. No control tower is present; pilots operate under uncontrolled airport procedures.
- Operations (as of the latest FAA data): Approximately 1,200 aircraft operations per year, comprising 80 % general aviation, 15 % air taxi, and 5 % military. No permanently based aircraft are recorded.
- Identifiers: IATA code PAX; ICAO code PAEX; FAA LID I76.
Related Topics
- List of airports in Alaska
- Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF)
- Paxson, Alaska (the local community)
- General aviation in the United States
- Air taxi services in rural Alaska.