Bar E Airport (MT86), Montana
Landing essentials
Whether you can land, whether you can refuel, and how customs works here.
Overview
Bar E Airport (MT86) is a privately used, unattended airfield situated near Helena, Montana, at an elevation of 4,090 feet. The field offers a single paved runway, 04/22, and sits roughly 34 nautical miles from Helena Regional Airport (KHLN), the nearest point for customs clearance. Business aviation activity here is light, with FAA TFMSC data recording five operations in 2025, consistent with the field's role as a modest general aviation facility rather than a hub for jet traffic. Nearby airports include Lincoln, Helena Regional, Great Falls International, Benchmark, and Choteau, all within about 40 nautical miles.
Runways
Bar E Airport has one paved runway, 04/22, 4,975 ft long and 50 ft wide, with an asphalt surface.
Source: FAA Form 5010.
Fuel and airfield services
The airport has no control tower.
Source: FAA Form 5010 / NASR.
Customs
Bar E Airport does not clear customs. The nearest port of entry is Helena Regional (KHLN), 34 NM away.
Source: CBP list of ports of entry.
Business aviation traffic
Bar E Airport recorded 5 business aviation movements in 2025. Traffic peaks in July and September. Recorded business aviation traffic at MT86 in 2025 was concentrated in January, July, and September, rather than spread evenly across the year.
Business jet movements, FAA TFMSC count. Peak month July, 2 movements in 2025.
Source: FAA TFMSC, business jet movements, 2025.
Climate
Bar E Airport averages 5.7 days above 90°F in July and 26.6 freeze days in December. July is the warmest month, with average highs of 81.5°F, and December the coldest, at 34.4°F.
Weather station is 7.3 NM from the field. Some values are estimated by the agency. 1991–2020 climate normals.
Source: NOAA NCEI.
Operating constraints
Bar E Airport has published operating constraints in two categories: access and runway notes.
For clearance delivery, contact Helena Approach; when Approach is closed, contact Salt Lake Center.
Runway 04/22 medium intensity runway lights are activated via CTAF.
Source: FAA Chart Supplement.
Nearby airfields
Bar E Airport has five airfields within 41 NM. The closest is Lincoln, 25.17 NM southwest.
Source: Skystar calculation from official coordinates.
Skystar at MT86
We arrange catering, fuel and trip support here. Supplier prices reach you unchanged; our coordination fee sits on its own line.
The same order, priced two ways.
$1,200.00 catering order at MT86.
Unchanged.
What the kitchen invoices us is what your quote reads.
One line, fixed.
It does not move with the size of the order.
At cost.
Passed on at the exact amount the processor took.
Market practice figures are industry averages, not a specific competitor.
Frequently asked questions
Where is customs clearance available for MT86?
MT86, also known as Bar E Airport near Helena, Montana, has no onsite customs service. The nearest customs point is Helena Regional Airport (KHLN), located about 33.83 nautical miles away. Operators requiring customs clearance should plan to route through KHLN or another designated port of entry rather than this field.
Is Bar E Airport (MT86) staffed or attended?
Bar E Airport (MT86) is unattended, listed with an UNATNDD schedule in FAA data. Pilots should not expect fuel service, ground handling, or personnel on the field. The single runway lighting system is pilot-controlled rather than staffed, as noted in the airport remarks.
What runway is available at MT86 near Helena?
MT86, or Bar E Airport, has a single paved runway, 04/22, measuring 4,975 feet long and 50 feet wide with an asphalt surface. This is also the airport's maximum paved runway length. There is no secondary or crosswind runway listed for this field.
How much business aviation traffic does Bar E Airport see?
Bar E Airport (MT86) recorded five business aviation operations in 2025 according to FAA TFMSC data, placing it in a lower activity tier. Recorded movements occurred in January, July, and September, with the July and September months each showing two operations. This pattern reflects a small, seasonally concentrated volume of flights rather than steady year-round use.