Perryville Regional Airport

Perryville Regional Airport sits east of Missouri Route 51, roughly five miles southeast of Perryville's downtown. It is a general aviation airport with a single asphalt runway and serves as a base for local pilots, flight training, and the occasional corporate or recreational aircraft passing through. The airport's role is entirely non-commercial, but it provides essential access to Perry County for those who fly.

Getting There

From Perryville city center, take Route 51 southeast. The airport entrance is marked by a small sign on the right. The drive takes about ten minutes. There is no public transportation to the airport; a car is necessary. Parking is free and available at the terminal building. For those arriving by air, the runway is well-maintained and runway lighting is operational, though pilots should verify lighting availability through NOTAMs or by calling ahead.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal building is a compact, single-story structure with a small lobby, a wheelchair-accessible toilet, and an office. A wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park are available. The atmosphere is quiet and functional; don't expect shops or restaurants. The main purpose of the terminal is to provide a place to file flight plans, use the restroom, and access the courtesy car. The courtesy car can be arranged through airport staff, but availability should be confirmed in advance. A flight school operates from the field, so you may see student pilots and instructors around. Fuel is available — they stock 100LL — but reliability is a known issue. More than one pilot has arrived expecting fuel only to find one pump out of service and the other failing to pump. Always call ahead to confirm fuel availability. Airport staff, particularly the manager Barbara, have received both praise for responsiveness and criticism for inconsistency, especially regarding gyroplane operations. The general sentiment among regular users is that the facilities and location are nice, but service can be unpredictable.

Perryville Regional Airport and Perryville

Perryville, Missouri, is the seat of Perry County and home to about 8,200 people. The town has a strong German heritage, visible in its architecture, festivals, and the local wineries along the Mississippi River Valley. Visitors come for the Perry County Heritage Museum, the historic district with 19th-century buildings, and outdoor recreation at nearby Hawn State Park — one of the best hiking destinations in eastern Missouri, known for its sandstone bluffs and pine forests. The area also has a significant Amish and Mennonite population, and their farm stands and bakeries attract tourists. Perryville's location makes it a practical stop for pilots traveling between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau or heading south toward Memphis. The airport's role in connecting people to this region is important, but its limitations — particularly fuel availability and management attitude — can undermine that function. For transient pilots, it is a scenic and convenient landing spot if everything works. If fuel is needed, many pilots divert to Sparta Community Airport in Illinois, about 30 nautical miles northeast, where service is reported to be more reliable. The airport manager's behavior has been a recurring frustration for some segments of the aviation community, notably gyroplane pilots, who report being denied services or harassed. Yet others have experienced excellent customer service, such as having lost items promptly returned. This split reputation means that the airport's value depends heavily on the specifics of the visit. Overall, Perryville Regional Airport is a mixed asset: a pleasant facility in a beautiful area, but one that requires preflight due diligence.

Practical Information

The airport is not open 24 hours; specific hours are not published, but it is generally accessible during daylight hours and by prior arrangement. Contact the airport manager at +1 573-605-1856 for access or information. The website is http://www.cityofperryville.com/229/Airport. Busiest times according to airport data are unusual — Monday at 11 pm and Tuesday at 8 pm — likely reflecting irregular GA traffic rather than regular schedules. The most concrete advice: call ahead to check fuel availability and consider having an alternate fuel stop planned before you arrive. If you are a gyroplane pilot, be prepared for potential difficulty and have a backup airport in mind.