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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Flying Cloud Airport (FCM)

The Flying Cloud airport (FCM) is a medium to large sized, primarily business and general aviation airport. Located approximately 10 miles southwest of the larger Minneapolis-Saint Paul International airport, it is one of several alternative reliever airports serving the metropolis of Minneapolis-Saint Paul. View a printable document of the FCM information found on this Web page.


Know Before You Go

  • FCM consists of parallel RWYs 10L/28R and 10R/28L and intersecting RWY 18/36.
  • Wrong surface landing risk exists due to parallel RWYs with staggered thresholds.
  • Your assigned RWY may not be the first RWY that becomes visible.
  • Parallel TWY B can also be mistaken for a RWY.
    • To mitigate this, the word “TAXI” has been painted at both ends of TWY B.
  • An Arrival Alert Notice is published for this airport.  See hyperlink below. 
  • Numerous hangars and businesses are located north of TWY A which is parallel to RWY 10L/28R.
    • Pilots have missed TWY A, thinking that it was part of the ramp and have mistaken RWY 10L/28R as TWY A and have taxied onto that RWY.
    • Enhanced centerline markings and signage are located here to indicate that RWY 10L/28R is approaching.
  • At the intersection of TWY C and RWY 10L/28R, aircraft instructed to taxi to RWY 28L via A, C, hold short of RWY 28R have missed the hold short line on TWY C.  The hold short line is located immediately after turning onto TWY C from TWY A.
  • The approach ends of RWY 28L and RWY 28R are at an angle to the Control TWR that makes it difficult for the controller to confirm that aircraft are lined up on the correct RWY.
  • To help the confusion of parallel TWYS for RWYS, FCM has taken the following steps:
    • 10R – MALSR is operated continuously.
    • 10L/28R – REIL operated when tower is in operation.
    • 28L – REIL is operated continuously.
  • When flying on left downwind for RWY 10L, the approach end of RWY 10L may not be visible causing pilots to mistake RWY 10R for RWY 10L, and TWY B for RWY 10R.
  • The risk of crossing RWY Hold Short Lines always exists with closely spaced parallel RWYs and TWYs even with multiple and enhanced lights and markings.

Below find various FCM-specific information and things to be aware of, as well as general information to inform your preflight planning. This will be reviewed quarterly and updated as needed. This information is to supplement the From the Flight Deck Videos that are produced by the FAA Runway Safety Group. Here you will also find information provided by the local air traffic controllers at the airport where you intend to fly. The information is subject to change. Not for navigation or legal* pre-flight action. Always refer to official pre-flight materials such as, but not limited to, NOTAMs, airport diagrams, VFR charts and airport construction notices for the latest airport-specific details.

FCM Tower Administrative Office
Business Phone 952-941-1188
0730L to 1330L M-F 

General Links

Here are some links to current FAA information.

Some Advisory Circulars for Reference 

Last updated: Friday, August 25, 2023