Aeronautics
Our Office of Aeronautics is dedicated to promoting general and commercial aviation in Minnesota by assisting in the planning and development of airports, as well as ensuring the safety of the state’s aviation system.
Some of the services we provide:
- Administering state and federal funds for municipal airport development, maintenance, and operation
- Regulating, inspecting, and licensing aviation operations
- Enforcing statutes and rules relating to aviation
- Registering aircraft and assisting communities with aviation planning and air service issues
- Providing radio and visual navigational aids
- Providing electrical and lighting systems
- Collecting and disseminating weather information for pilots
- Disseminating aviation education and safety information
- Conducting several programs to promote aviation
- Furnishing air transportation service for state officials and employees performing official business
Airports
Minnesota Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study
In 2019, we conducted a study of the annual economic impacts generated by 126 of Minnesota’s 133 public airports. In addition to the 126 study airports, there are seven public airports owned by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC). The MAC previously completed two economic impact studies, and those results were integrated into the Statewide Airport Economic Impact Study to estimate statewide totals.
Minnesota airports contribute $18.2 billion annually to the state economy.
Drones
Drones are aircraft, and therefore subject to federal and state regulations. We are the state-level regulator for aircraft in Minnesota.
- Learn more about drones and how and where you’re allowed to fly them.
State Aviation System Plan
The Minnesota State Aviation System Plan (MnSASP) is part of our Family of Plans. It’s our long-term strategic plan, designed to provide a description and assessment of the airport system’s current performance, as well as guidance for future development.