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Runways at MSO
Missoula International Airport has two runways. Since each runway has two physical ends, there are actually four different directions in which aircraft can approach and land. Depending on wind direction and strength, airport construction activities, and operational demands, Missoula Air Traffic Controllers are able to quickly shift traffic from one runway to another with very little delay or disruption to aircraft.
Runway 11-29
MSO's primary runway used for commercial aircraft and heavy jets, cargo flight operations, and corporate and general aviation activity. The runway is 9,501 feet (2896 meters) in length and 150 feet (46 meters) wide, and is equipped with a high intensity runway lighting system, distance remaining markers, and precision approach path indicators (PAPI's). Most approaches to Missoula cross over the City and the North Reserve Shopping Centers and terminate with a landing on Runway 29. If wind conditions permit, approaches from the west can fly straight-in to Runway 11.
In addition, Runway 11 is equipped with a Category I Instrument Landing System. During periods of limited visibility or inclement weather conditions, Approach Controllers will begin funneling arriving aircraft towards a radio fix about 20 miles west of the airport. From this position, flight crews use sophisticated equipment in the cockpit to intercept radio navigation signals which guide the aircraft to a safe landing to Runway 11.
Runway 07-25
MSO's second runway. Used primarily as a general aviation crosswind runway, 07-25 is 4,612 feet (1404 meters) in length and 75 feet (22 meters) wide, and is equipped with a medium intensity runway lighting system. Almost all approaches to this runway pass over Highway 10 West for a landing on Runway 25; however wind directions may occasionally favor 07.
Proposed Parallel Runway 11R-29L
The Airport is planning for the day when a third runway may be required in order to meet operational demands as the regions population continues to increase. The proposed runway would be located parallel to the existing Runway 11-29, allowing staggered or simultaneous ILS approaches to MSO. At an estimated 6000 feet in length and 100 feet wide, the new runway would serve the increasing number of quieter and more efficient regional jets in use at MSO.
Did you know? - MSO used to have four runways. Runways 16-34 and 02-20 were closed in the 1980's in order to make room for the new Airport Public Safety Building. To this day, local maps still depict these two abandoned runways at MSO.
Airfield Lighting Systems
 MSO utilizes a complex maze of lighting systems to aid pilots and ground vehicle operators. You might be wondering how anyone can make sense of thousands of multi-colored lights? It may look confusing, but each color has a specific meaning and purpose.
• Blue omni-directional lights indicate taxiways
• White lights identify runways
• Red lights indicate an obstruction or runway threshold
• Green lights indicate taxiway centerline lighting
To allow for instrument approaches to Missoula, Runway 11 is equipped with a sophisticated approach lighting system. The system is 2,400 feet long and consists of five sequenced strobes mounted on towers, as well as nine light bars each with five steady burning white lights. The lights “lead” pilots to the runway as they transition from instruments to visual flight during periods of low visibility. As a pilot descends out of the clouds, the bright strobe lights will generally be the first visual cue the pilot will see when on final approach to Runway 11. The pilot will use these lights to allign the plane with the centerline of the runway. In addition, on the left side of the runway is a precision approach path indicator, or PAPI. The PAPI uses red and white lights to indicate to the pilot if he is too high, too low, or on the correct glide path.
Lastly, a rotating beacon is located on top of the Air Traffic Control Tower. The beacon at MSO rotates at a constant speed which produces the visual effect of flashes at regular intervals. The light at MSO consists of a greenish-blue on one side, and white on the other side. This green-white-green-white flash tells the pilot MSO is a lighted land airport, as opposed to a seaport, which is yellow-white, or a military airport, which is white-white-green.
Missoula Air Traffic Control Tower
 The Missoula Air Traffic Control Tower opened in 1961 and is responsible for aircraft movements around MSO. The Missoula Air Traffic Control Tower is staffed from 6AM to 10PM local time, seven days a week. The Tower houses air traffic control facilities, administration offices, electronic equipment rooms, and storage areas. Controllers monitor aircraft activity through windows that circle the entire floor, providing a stunning 360 degree view. The windows are tilted outwards, to limit the reflection of equipment behind them.
So how does it all work? Let's assume you are a passenger aboard American Airlines Flight 216 bound for Dallas. Just prior to taxiing, the pilot will first listen to ATIS, or Automated Terminal Information Service, a continuous broadcast of recorded non-control information. ATIS broadcasts weather information, active runways, available approaches, and any other information required by the pilots. Pilots usually listen to an available ATIS broadcast before contacting the tower controllers, in order to reduce the controllers' workload and relieve frequency congestion.
ATIS is updated hourly or when there is a significant change in the information, like a change in the active runway. It is given a letter designation (e.g. Tango), from the Phonetic Alphabet. The letter progresses down the alphabet and starts at Alpha each day. So what does ATIS sound like? When the American Airlines pilot tunes ATIS at Missoula, this is what they might hear:
"Missoula Airport Information Tango, 2153 Zulu. Wind 110 at 17, gusts 24. Visibility 2. Sky conditions, 4900 overcast. Temperature 5, dew point 4, altimeter 3006. ILS Runway 11 approach in use. Notice to airman, Runway 29 relocated threshold, 8995 feet available for takeoff and landing. Advise on initial contact you have Tango".
When ready to taxi, the pilot will contact Ground Control and advise he is ready to taxi with information Tango, referring to ATIS. "Missoula Ground, American 216 ready to taxi with Tango". The ground controller, who is responsible for all ground traffic, will direct the plane to the active runway. "American 216, taxi to runway 11 via taxiway Foxtrot and Alpha". As the plane taxis, the ground controller watches all of the airport's taxiways, ensuring the plane does not cross an active runway or interfere with ground vehicles.
Once the plane is ready for departure, the pilot will contact the Tower Local Controller. "Missoula Tower, American 216 ready for takeoff". The local controller in the tower watches the skies above MSO and uses surface radar to track aircraft. He or she is responsible for maintaining safe distances between planes as they take off and land. Once the controller determines conditions are safe, he/she will clear the plane for departure. "American 216, wind 115 at 8, Runway 11, cleared for takeoff". Once the pilot acknowledges the controllers clearance, the plane taxis on to the runway and you’re off to Dallas. As soon as the aircraft is airborne, the Tower hands the plane off to Departure Control, then to Salt Lake Center. Different Centers monitor the flights progress until it begins it's descent to Dallas. The plane is then handed off to Approach Control, then the Dallas Tower, and finally Ground Control.
Missoula controllers are on the job providing safe and efficient movement of aircraft each and every day as hundreds of planes take off and land at MSO, including heavy commercial passenger jets, corporate aircraft, aerial fire-fighting aircraft, general aviation training flights, military operations, and Missoula’s rescue helicopters, Life Flight and Care Flight.
Listen to the Control Tower online. In October of 2005, LiveATC.net began broadcasting Missoula Air Traffic Control on the internet. Currently, Missoula, Portland and Sea-Tac are the only ATC facilities in the Northwest available live on the web. For more information about listening to the Tower online, click here.
Missoula International Airport
5225 Highway 10 West
Missoula, Montana 59808
Website : www.flymissoula.com
Airport Information : 406 728-4381
Email us for more information : Click here
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