Kansas City Wheeler
Downtown Airport
Master Plan
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Wheeler Downtown Airport (MKC) is a national general aviation reliever airport in Kansas City, Missouri. The master plan was undertaken to address changes in the aviation industry, growth at the airport, and the need to have a current ALP on file with the FAA to support future projects. MKC presents numerous challenges including its proximity to tall downtown buildings, which historically have prevented the implementation of an instrument approach to Runway 1, the most heavily used runway at the airport. As part of the master plan, a specialized team of consultants was assembled to analyze the feasibility of an instrument approach to Runway 1 and technically build the instrument approach plate. Ultimately, the effort showed that an approach was feasible, and the technical data was provided to the FAA to use as a reference during the process of building the actual instrument approach.
The master plan also took a deep dive into the development potential of a 26-acre parcel that recently became available after several preceding projects were completed. The preceding projects included the decommission of an on-field VOR facility and the construction of a parallel taxiway. The 26-acre parcel was the first developable land available in more than 20 years at the airport. The master plan analysis determined the optimal development scenario, roadway access point, and the most profitable type of hangars to develop.
A significant challenge in this master plan was the analysis associated with addressing three FAA-identified hot spots and one FAA runway incursion mitigation (RIM) location. A set of alternatives were developed to address these issues, and a comparative safety assessment (CSA) was undertaken. Changes to airfield geometry proved a solution for two of the hot spots. The preferred solution for the third hot spot included additional pavement marking and the installation of both elevated and in-pavement runway guard lighting.
Project Type
Project Sub-Type
Airport Master Plan
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