Airport of the Month-Operations Spotlight

Independent flight schools had their "golden age" in the 1960s and 70s when there were four training operations at Crystal and the sky all-around was never still.

Two of those operations also had busy aircraft charter services. There were some colorful characters too, including Lee Gilligan, who owned Crystal-Shamrock Airways. Shamrock was a Cessna Pilot Center and one of the last operators to offer passenger service in the DC-3.

In the 21st century, most flight training transitioned to large institutions. Professional pilots now find learning their craft at colleges and universities increasingly necessary for success.

People who fly for business or fun often use online courses and accelerated flight training programs that make extensive use of simulators.

At one point, more than 350 aircraft were based at Crystal. Take offs and landings averaged more than 500 per day and when things got busy that number could often exceed 2,000. In 2020, operations were averaging about 175 per day.

There is still an active flight school at Crystal, but the airport has evolved into one that's used by business and personal aircraft.

Trainers doing 50 touch and goes have mostly been replaced by business aircraft that might take off and land once or twice in a day.

Opened in 1946 as a private airport, Crystal was purchased by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC) in 1948. It immediately embraced the role of reliever airport when Hinck Flying Service moved there from Wold-Chamberlain (now Minneapolis/St. Paul International) Airport.

By 1950, Crystal had a paved runway, plus a turf crosswind. The Airport Layout Plan (ALP) developed in 1952 showed a four-runway airport with extensive building areas. The primary runway would be 13L/31R, with a parallel secondary runway. The main crosswind runway would be 4L/22R with a parallel turf runway. Most pavements were to be designed for large aircraft weighing up to 30,000 pounds. In 1970, that configuration was a reality.

Sometimes things that once made sense, eventually prove to be a bad idea. The runway and taxiway layout at Crystal allowed the airport to maximize operations. Still, it resulted in many "hot spots" or places with a high risk of aircraft collisions or runway incursions. Some of the airport's facilities did not conform to FAA design standards. Safety is currently the focus.

While the safety improvements are being accomplished, the airport is also being "right sized." The improvements were formulated in a Long-Term Comprehensive Plan (LTCP) published in 2017 and have been implemented.

Consistent with Crystal's new character, the airport is now classified as "Utility" and in the future will be designed for small aircraft (12,500 pounds or less).

What was 13L/31R is now 14/32 and has become the primary runway. Runway 13R/31L was converted to a parallel taxiway which eliminated several "hot spots." 14/32 has been shifted to the northwest placing the Runway Protection Zones (RPZ) on airport property. What were paved safety areas have been partially converted to runway making 3,750 feet available for take off on the new primary, with displaced thresholds on each end. Guidance signs and lights for the main runway and taxiway are all new.

The 2,500-foot paved crosswind runway remains as it was. Initially the turf runway was to be decommissioned but based on user input it will remain albeit shortened to 1,600 feet to eliminate more "hot spots."

Approaches to all three runways have been cleared of obstructions and four new paved "runup" areas have been added.

Safely completing the improvements while keeping the airport operational was a minor miracle made possible by carefully phasing construction plus hard work by the tower controllers and MAC staff.

Thunderbird Aviation is the remaining flight school at Crystal and has adapted to the times by partnering with Academy College to offer degrees in aviation. Thunderbird also does executive charters in modern turbine powered aircraft.

Wiley Properties is a commercial real estate firm that now manages over 100 of Crystal's storage hangars converting many of the facilities formerly used by flight schools to serve the airport's current clientele.

Some things remain the same. Maxwell Aircraft Service moved to Crystal in 1951 and is still thriving. Nationally known for high quality work, Maxwell is commonly called "The Prop Shop" (propellers being their specialty).

Wentworth Aircraft, Inc., well known to aviators as a source of used aircraft parts, is another valuable business located at Crystal.

Sometimes unpopular, change can often be a good thing. The Minneapolis-Crystal Airport remains an active place with much improved safety for aircraft operations. By implementing the changes outlined in the LTCP, MAC has assured it will continue as a valuable reliever airport well into the future.