JUNE 27, 2025 |
Photo – Dixon Airport sign – Bigfoot 99 file photo
Dixon Airport is a key asset for Carbon County, offering vital access to the Baggs and Dixon areas and the region’s high-end recreational ranches. Dixon Airport holds a B2 rating from the Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA. The letter indicates the approach speed of aircraft permitted to use the runway, with A being the slowest and E representing high-speed jets. A B rating allows general aviation planes and smaller business jets to land at the airport. The number reflects aircraft size. The 2 designation applies to planes with wingspans between 49 and 79 feet and tail heights between 20 and 30 feet.
In 2022, the Dixon Airport Master Plan was created to outline future improvement projects for the small-town landing strip. Testing on the runway showed that the asphalt was sagging under the weight of landing aircraft. An engineer from T-O Engineering, who performed the airport master plan, said reconstructing the runway to meet FAA requirements may cost upwards of $15 million. However, the FAA would cover 90% of the cost of the project, with WYDOT chipping in another 6%, leaving the county to contribute approximately $600,000.
The runway project must be completed by 2029. In the meantime, the county has been working with the Ardurra Group to demolish and rebuild aircraft hangars at the Dixon Airport.
